NYS Criminal Justice Footprint: 2024

New York State and the FBI use seven Index crime categories as indicators of overall crime trends: murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, which are classified as violent crimes; and the property crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. The FBI created these categories to allow for uniform crime reporting across all 50 states. DCJS publishes detailed data on Index crimes in its Index Crime by County and Region Dashboard.

Index Crime in 2024 is 63% Lower Compared to 1990

The number of Index crimes reported by police in New York State decreased by 63% compared to 1990 with the steepest decline occurring throughout the 1990s, especially in New York City (NYC). Index crimes in NYC decreased by 65% compared to 1990, and by 58% outside NYC.

• Reported crime reached a record low in 2019 at 337,131 crimes reported. In 2020, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and resulting social unrest, crime began to increase in both regions of the state and across the country.
• The number of crimes reported in 2024 (N=423,486) is similar to the level reported ten years ago in 2013 (N=432,707), and 26% higher than the historic low recorded in 2019.

Violent Crime in 2024 is 62% Lower Compared to 1990

Violent crimes reported to police in New York State declined by 62% since 1990 with violent crimes decreasing by 67% in NYC and 41% outside NYC.

• Violent crime declined steeply, by 57%, between 1990 and 2000 in NYC and 23% outside NYC during the same period.
• Throughout the 2000s, the number of violent crimes continued to decrease, with NYC outpacing the rest of the state. In NYC violent crime declined by 36% between 2000 and 2010, compared to a 5% decline outside NYC.
• While violent crime remained relatively flat in Non-NYC in 2021 and 2022—with less than a 5% increase—it rose more sharply in NYC in 2021 and 2022. Compared to 2020, violent crime in NYC increased by 28% in 2022. 

Homicides in New York State are Approximately Two-Thirds Lower Than 50 Years Ago

After a sharp drop in the 1990s, the number of homicides in New York State continued to decline throughout the next two decades. Consistent with national trends, however, New York State experienced an increase in homicides in 2020 and 2021, at the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic. Homicides started to decline again in 2022 and by 2024, were 30% lower than the peak seen in 2021.

Firearm Related Homicides Decreased in 2024

Firearm-related homicides in New York State declined steeply throughout the 1990s, particularly in NYC, and continued to decrease until 2019, reaching a record low in both regions of the state. Like in other parts of the country, firearm-related homicides increased in 2020 at the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to 2019, they had increased by 80% and continued to increase through 2021. Firearm-related homicides have since started to decline, and by 2024, were 47% lower than 2021.

Index Crimes Decreased in 2024 After Two Years of Increases

After steady declines, Index crime reported in both regions of the state has increased in recent years but saw a slight decrease in 2024. In NYC, crime increased each year between 2019 and 2023 and was 37% higher in 2024 compared to 10 years ago in 2015. Outside NYC, crime increased in 2022 and 2023 but decreased in 2024, remaining 16% lower in 2024 compared to 2015.

Property Crimes Decreased in 2024 After Two Years of Increases

Property crimes generally decreased in both regions of the state—NYC and outside NYC—between 2014 and 2019. Property crimes continued to decline outside NYC through 2020 and 2021. In contrast, NYC saw an upward trend beginning in 2020. The sharpest increase in property crimes for both regions occurred between 2021 and 2022.

Violent Crimes in NYC Changed in Recent Years, While Decreasing Outside NYC

In NYC, the number of violent crimes reported to police started to increase in 2019 and continued increasing until 2022. It decreased by nearly 9% in 2023. Compared to 10 years ago, the number of violent crimes reported in NYC is 16% higher, while 12% lower outside NYC. 

Violent Crimes Involving a Firearm Increased in 2020-2022 with Decreases in Recent Years

In NYC, as the number of violent crimes increased beginning in 2020 and through 2022, the proportion involving a firearm also increased—from 9% in 2018 and 2019 to 13-15% between 2020 and 2022. In 2024, this proportion declined to 11%.

Outside NYC, the proportion of total violent crimes involving a firearm increased from 16% in 2019 to 20-21% between 2020 and 2022. It then decreased to 17% in 2024.

After a Significant Increase in 2020 and 2021, Shooting Incidents in NYC and Large Jurisdictions Outside NYC Decreased Dramatically since 2022

The Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative supports 28 law enforcement agencies in 21 counties that account for 92% of violent crimes involving firearms and 86% of violent crime in counties outside NYC in 2024. Shooting incidents reached historic lows in 2018 in NYC and in 2019 in GIVE jurisdictions. Like other states across the county, New York experienced a significant increase in shootings in 2020, with incidents increasing by 97% in NYC and by 75% in GIVE jurisdictions. Since then, the number of shooting incidents has decreased and by 2024, was 42% lower in NYC and 53% lower in GIVE jurisdictions.

Felony Firearm Arrest Rates Are Higher Among the Younger Age Groups

In NYC, felony firearm arrests increased between 2016 and 2024. Arrest volume is lowest among 16–17-year-olds and, in recent years, is highest among those 30 and older. However, when examining arrest rates per 100,000 residents, the pattern shifts. Individuals 30 and older have the lowest arrest rates and younger age groups (16-17 and 18-24 years old) have higher rates.

Felony firearm arrest volume also increased outside NYC, particularly among individuals aged 30 and older. The 30+ age group has the highest volume of felony firearm arrests but has the lowest arrest rate. Over the past two years, the arrest volume for 16-17-year-olds declined slightly and remains the minority of felony firearm arrests. The rate for 16-17-year-olds also has declined. As in NYC, arrest rates are highest among those aged 18 to 24 years. 

This section provides information about how criminal cases move through the justice system. Information is shown for individuals who were 18 and older at the time of the alleged crime and who were arrested on felony or misdemeanor charges that required fingerprints to be taken.

Statewide, Arrests Have Increased Since 2020

The number of arrests generally declined between 2014 and 2024 with a 17% reduction in NYC and a 13% reduction outside NYC. The steepest decrease occurred between 2019 and 2020, at the onset of the pandemic. Since then, arrests have returned to pre-pandemic levels in NYC and are approaching pre-pandemic levels outside NYC.

In 2024, Felony Arrests in NYC Reached the Highest Levels Seen in the Past 10 Years; Outside NYC, Felony Arrests are at the Same Level as 10 years ago

Felony arrests in NYC generally declined between 2015 and 2020, with a sharp reduction between 2019 and 2020. The number has been increasing since 2021. In 2024, felony arrests reached their highest level in the past ten years and were 16% higher compared to 2015.

Outside NYC, felony arrests gradually declined in 2018 and 2019, followed by a sharp reduction in 2020. They have also increased since the pandemic but have returned to the level seen 10 years ago.

Misdemeanor Arrests are 26% Lower than 10 Years Ago

Compared to 10 years ago, the number of misdemeanor arrests is 32% lower in NYC and 18% lower outside NYC.

• After the sharp reduction between 2019 and 2020, misdemeanor arrests started increasing in 2021. In 2024, misdemeanor arrests in NYC exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic levels, but outside NYC they remained below 2019 levels.  

Arraignments in NYC Near Pre-Pandemic; Outside NYC, Still Lower

In 2024, the volume of adult (18+) court arraignments in NYC is above pre-COVID pandemic levels but remains lower outside NYC. Court arraignments began to decline during the last quarter of 2019, in anticipation of pretrial reform becoming effective. Declines continued through the second quarter of 2020, following declines in misdemeanor arrests and New York State on PAUSE ordered at the onset of the pandemic. Arraignment volume increased outside NYC by the third quarter of 2020 but remained below pre-pandemic levels through 2024, while in NYC it has steadily increased since the pandemic.

Court Case Duration Since the COVID-19 Pandemic

NYC: Time to Court Case Disposition Decreased to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Generally, in NYC, the median number of days from arraignment to final case disposition has decreased to pre-pandemic levels. The median time between arraignment and disposition is longest for cases involving violent felony offenses, but it was shorter in 2023-2024 compared to the pre-pandemic level. 2024 arraignments are limited to January through September, as over 20% of cases from the last quarter, including over 40% of violent felony cases, were not yet disposed as of June 2025.

Non-NYC: Time to Court Case Disposition Decreased but Is Still Higher Than Pre-Pandemic

Compared to cases arraigned in NYC, the time between arraignment and disposition is longer for cases arraigned outside NYC. The median number of days between arraignment and final case disposition remains higher than pre-pandemic levels across all offense classes. 2024 arraignments are limited to January through September, as over 40% of cases from the last quarter, including over 50% of violent felony cases, were not yet disposed as of June 2025.

Disposition Outcomes

In NYC, Most Cases Are Disposed in Favor of the Defendant

In NYC, conviction rates decreased in 2020 and have remained relatively stable since then. 

Outside NYC, Most Cases Result in Conviction

Since 2019, conviction rates outside NYC also declined, but are much higher than in NYC for both felony and misdemeanor arrests. The decline in conviction rates between 2019 and 2020 was higher for misdemeanor arrests which decreased from 62% to 54%, than for felony arrests which decreased from 76% to 72%.

Age of Adults Arrested

Over the past 30 years, the average age of adults arrested has increased along with the average age of residents in New York State and other parts of the United States.

Percent of Female Arrestees

The percentage of female adult arrestees has increased from 18% to 23% between 1994 and 2024.

NYC and Non-NYC Jail Population, Average Daily Census 2016-2024

Compared to 2016, the average daily jail population in 2024 decreased by 34% in NYC and 34% outside NYC. Prior to 2019, the jail population was decreasing steadily. The decline accelerated during the latter part of 2019 in anticipation of bail reform and continued during the first quarter of 2020. After reaching a record low in 2020, the jail populations in both regions of the state have increased annually but were still lower in 2024 than in 2019.

Probation Population 36% Lower Since 2015

The probation population in New York decreased by 36% between 2015 and 2024. The steepest decline over the ten-year period occurred between 2019 and 2021.

Probation Population by Region: 2014-2024

The probation population decreased by 33% in NYC and 38% in Non-NYC. In NYC, the sharpest decline occurred between 2018 and 2019, with a 15% decrease. Outside NYC, the steepest decline occurred between 2019 and 2020, with a 16% decrease.

Prison Under Custody Population Down 36% Between 2015 and 2024

Compared to 2015, the number of people in prison is 36% lower in 2024. The population has increased slightly since 2021. 

Parole Population: Over 18,000 Fewer Individuals on Parole Supervision

The parole population was stable between 2015 and 2020 but decreased dramatically after the implementation of the Less is More Act, which was signed into law in September 2021. Compared to years prior, the parole population was cut in half, with over 18,000 fewer people on supervision.