By Patsy Klaus and

Callie Marie Rennison, Ph.D.

BJS Statisticians

Research shows that victimization

rates differ by the age of the victim. 

In general the younger the victim, the

higher the rate of fatal and nonfatal

violence (rape, robbery, sexual assault,

and assault) experienced. While this

pattern is stable, the relative difference

of victimization rates among the age

groups and year-to-year changes in

victimization rates experienced by each

age group is not.

In general the long-term trends for fatal

and nonfatal violence are similar for

people in most age groups.

Nonfatal victimization 

Prior to 1979, during most of the

1980's and since 1998, persons age

12-17 and 18-24 have been victims 

of nonfatal violence at similar rates. 

For a number of years, 1976-2000,

persons age 12-17 experienced violent

crime at the highest rates, while for

other years persons age 18-24 were

victimized at the highest rates.

Persons age 12-17 and age 18-24

were victimized at greater rates than

those of ages 25 or older each year,

1976-2000.

Persons in every age category except

50-64 were victimized in 2000 at the

lowest rates recorded since 1976. 

For persons age 12-17, nonfatal violent

victimization fluctuated in the 1970's

and early 1980's, and climbed beginning in 1987 to a peak rate in 1993.

Since 1993 rates have declined. 

Nonfatal violence against persons 

age 18-24 increased to more than 

100 victimizations per 1,000 persons 

in 1979 and in 1982. Following a

period of relatively stable rates, they

increased to the peak rate of 115

victimizations per 1,000 persons in

1991. In general, since 1994 the

victimization rate has fallen. 

For persons age 25-34 the rate of

violence fluctuated during the 1970's

and early 1980's, peaking in 1982.

After a brief decline, rates stabilized

between 1984 and 1994. Since 1994

rates have generally fallen. 

Nonfatal violence against persons age

35-49 fluctuated slightly in the 1970's

and early 1980's, reaching a peak of 47

victimizations per 1,000 persons in 

1981. Between 1981 and 1993, rates

were relatively stable. Since 1994

rates have steadily declined. 

Nonfatal violence rates for persons age

50-64 and 65 or older fluctuated

slightly, 1976-2000. Rates of violence

against those age 50-64 were statistically similar in 1976 and 2000. For

those age 65 or older, rates in 2000

were lower than those in 1976.

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Crime Data Brief

Age Patterns in Violent

Victimization, 1976-2000

February 2002 NCJ 190104

1976 1981 1986 1991 1996

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2000

Note: Estim ates for 1976 through 1991 were adjusted to m ake com parable

to data collected under redesigned m ethods. See notes on figures in

Crim inal Victim ization, 1973-95

Rate of nonfatal violent victimization

per 1,000 persons in each age category

, NCJ 163069.

65 or older

50-64

12-17

35-49

25-34

18-24

**Not significant

 *Significant at 90%

65 or older -14%**

50-64 +13%*

35-49 -45%

25-34 -39%

18-24 -50%

12-17 -47%

1991-2000

percent change

Age 

category

Highlights
Homicide

In 2000 persons age 18-24 were

murdered at a rate higher than all 

other age categories. Persons in this

age group experienced homicides at

the highest rates since 1986. Prior to

1986 persons age 25-34 were victims

of homicide at the highest rate of all

age categories. 

In general homicide rates for those 

age 35-49, 50-64 and 65 or older

declined steadily, 1976-2000. In

contrast the murder rate of persons

age 25-34 increased from 1976 to

1980. 

Between 1980 and 1985 murder rates

decreased, then rose from 1985 to

1991. Since 1991 murder rates of 

persons age 25-34 have decreased 

to the current rate - the lowest rate

recorded for this age group.

 

The most dramatic change in homicide

rates occurred for those age 18-24.

Beginning in 1986, the murder rate of

persons age 18-24 increased to the

peak rate of 24 murders per 100,000 

persons in the early 1990’s. Since

1995 murder rates of persons age

18-24 have declined steadily. 

Homicide rates for persons age 12-17

remained relatively low and stable

during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

From 1985 to 1991, rates peaked 

and stabilized until 1995. Since 1996

homicide rates have fallen and are

currently at levels that were seen in

the 1970’s.

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Washington, DC 20531

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

PRESORTED STANDARD 

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

DOJ/BJS

Permit No. G-91

65 or older

12-17

50-64

35-49

18-24

25-34

Rate of homicide per

100,00 persons in each age category

1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2000*

25

20

15

10

5

0

*Prelim inary estim ates

65 or older -51%

50-64 -53%

35-49 -52%

25-34 -47%

18-24 -50%

12-17 -59%

1991-2000

percent change

Age 

category

Data for this report are drawn from

the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting

Program and BJS’ National Crime

Victimization Survey.