At a Glance
- 55 homicides recorded in Austin in 2025 so far
- Potential lowest total since 2020
- National trend shows a 20% decline in homicides
Why it matters: Lower homicide rates signal improving safety and shift public perception, but unsolved cases still linger.
Austin’s homicide count drops to 55 in 2025, a potential low since 2020, as a national 20% decline in murders mirrors changing crime perception and community safety sentiment.
Austin Homicide Landscape
According to News Of Austin‘s tracking, 55 homicides have been recorded in Austin this year, compared with a higher total in 2024. If the number stays steady, the city would finish 2025 with the fewest homicides since 2020, when 48 were reported by the Austin Police Department.
Sgt. Nathan Sexton said:
> “It peaked during COVID. There was a lot of violence back then. As the years have gone on, there could have been a little more calming down – coming back to the numbers prior to COVID.”
Three homicides remain unsolved:
- One Sunday homicide remains unsolved with no suspect.
- A homeless woman was shot in a tent in spring.
- A road-rage incident on I-35 in spring remains unsolved.
National Decline and Public Perception
The Austin trend mirrors a nationwide drop. Real-Time Crime Index data from 570 agencies show a 20% decline in recorded homicides in the first ten months of 2025 versus 2024.
Jeff Asher wrote:
> “Using data from 570 U.S. law enforcement agencies, an analysis by Real-Time Crime Index co-founder shows that recorded homicides nationwide were down about 20% in the first ten months of 2025 compared to last year.”
Jeff Asher notes that violent crimes such as rape, robbery and aggravated assault have also fallen.
The FBI will release official national data later in 2026, but current trends suggest a historic decline.
Luis Soberon said:
> “For the first time in a very long time, most Americans are reporting they think crime is going down. That’s an incredible reversal.”
Luis Soberon added that for the first time in a long time, most Americans report crime is going down, which can influence decisions about events and entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- 55 homicides in Austin this year, possibly the lowest since 2020.
- National homicides down 20% in the first ten months of 2025.
- Public perception of crime is shifting, with most Americans now feeling crime is decreasing.
Crime trends show a promising decline, but unsolved cases remind us that vigilance remains essential.
