Everyone Thinks Youth Crime Is Increasing–D.C. Witness Data Shows Why

By Marissa Stambaugh , Aaron Wechsler - November 18, 2024
Daily Stories | Data | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

New data from D.C. Witness validates the common public perception that violent crime among youth in the District is increasing. The percentage of homicides and non-fatal shootings perpetrated by youth aged15-to-20 almost doubled in the three years from 2021 thru June 2024. 

In 2021-22 perpetrators ranging in ages from 15-to-20 committed about 11.38 percent of the crimes. In 2022-23 they were responsible for about 12.35 percent. In 2023-2024 that percentage jumped to 21.43 percent. In other words, nearly 100 percent.

The percentage of crime by perpetrators in the 25-to-35 age group remained consistent in DC over the last three years. The same was true for those aged 40-to-50 as well.

One segment that experienced  a decline was early middle age–people 35-to-40. That group saw an almost 50 percent drop in crimes committed. In 2021-22, around 29.27 percent of perpetrators were categorized as being in early middle age then  the decline began the next year with 13.58 percent in the bracket engaging in criminal behavior and then only a slight rise the next year at 16.67 percent.

The D.C. Witness data shows that the age of crime victims has changed significantly over the last three years as well. 

While the percentage of crimes committed by youth has increased in the past year, the percentage of victims 15-to-20 in the District declined significantly. Although there was a spike– from 2021-to-22 to 2022-to-23 from 17.07 percent to 33.33 percent- the past year has seen that percentage drop to 23.81 percent. 

It is a different story for those aged 20-to-25. In the years 2021-22,13.01 percent of young adults were victims, and in 2022-23, they comprised 14.81 percent. This rate almost doubled in 2023-to-24. The percentage of victims jumped to 28.57 percent. 

The percentage of victims aged 30-to-35 and 35-to-40 in DC showed the most dramatic decline. In 2021-to-22 the percentage of victims who were in early adulthood, 30-to-35 was 25.20 percent, and in the next year the rate was similar at 22.22percent before falling to 9.52 percent in 2023-24. 

Those 35-to-40, also saw a significant drop to 0.00 percent in 2023-24 from previous years, starting in 2021-22 at 22.76 percent and then in 2022-23 at 12.35 percent.

Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Victims and Perpetrators 2021-2024

Perpetrator Data

Victim Data