U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

JUVENILE JUSTICE

STATISTICS

NATIONAL REPORT SERIES BULLETIN

Caren Harp, OJJDP Administrator • David B. Muhlhausen, NIJ Director June 2020

 

Juvenile Arrests, 2018 

Charles Puzzanchera 

Highlights 

This bulletin documents the latest trends in arrests involving juveniles (youth younger than age 18) by 

drawing on arrest estimates developed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for 

Juvenile Justice based on analyses of data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime 

Reporting Program. Overall, juvenile arrests have been on the decline for more than a decade, but 

patterns vary by demographic group and offense. 

In 2018, law enforcement agencies made an estimated 728,280 arrests of youth 

younger than 18—the fewest arrests of juveniles in nearly four decades 

Number of arrests, youth ages 0−17 

3,000,000 

2,500,000 

2,000,000 

1,500,000 

1,000,000 

500,000 

0 

Total arrests 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Arrests of juveniles (youth ages 0–17) peaked in 1996, at nearly 2.7 million. Arrests of juveniles have

since declined—the number in 2018 was 73% below the 1996 peak. In comparison, arrests of adults

fell 22% during the same period. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice. 

(See data source note on page 13 for details.) 

n After increasing between 2012 and 2017,

the juvenile arrest rate for murder held

steady through 2018, while the rates for

robbery and aggravated assault reached a

new low in 2018.

n Juvenile arrest rates for property crimes

have declined in recent years. By 2018,

juvenile arrest rates for larceny-theft,

burglary, and arson were at their lowest

levels since at least 1980, while rates for

motor vehicle theft increased annually since

2013.

n The violent crime arrest rate for older

juveniles (ages 15–17) was lower than the

rates for young adults (ages 18–20 and

21–24).

n Male and female juvenile arrest rates have

declined in the last 10 years; however, the

relative declines have been greater for

males than for females across many

offenses. As a result, the female share of

juvenile arrests has grown since 1980.

n Juvenile arrest rates involving violent crimes

(such as murder and robbery) tend to be

much higher for black youth than for white

youth. Conversely, arrest rates for liquor law

violations were higher for American Indian

and white youth than black youth.

ojjdp.ojp.gov nij.ojp.gov 
2 National Report Series Bulletin 

 

 

 

The FBI’s UCR Program provides 

data about juvenile arrests A Message From 

OJJDP and NIJ 

This bulletin summarizes recent 

trends in juvenile arrests in the 

United States based on data from the 

Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 

Uniform Crime Reporting program. 

The cumulative data in this bulletin 

reveal recent and long-term shifts in 

juvenile arrests based on offense, 

gender, and race. It is a useful tool 

for juvenile justice practitioners, 

researchers, policymakers, and 

others who seek to prevent, intervene 

in, and respond to juvenile 

delinquency. 

The number of arrests involving 

juveniles in 2018 was at its lowest 

level since at least 1980, and much 

of the decline has occurred in the 

past 10 years. Between 2009 and 

2018, the number of juvenile arrests 

fell 60%. Among violent crimes, 

arrests for murder increased 21%, 

arrests for robbery declined 11%, 

and arrests for aggravated assault 

declined 8% between 2014 and 

2018. In 2018, there were an 

estimated 125,030 juvenile arrests 

for simple assault. Nearly 4 in 10 

(37%) of these arrests involved 

females, more than 4 in 10 (41%) 

involved youth younger than 15, and 

nearly 6 in 10 (59%) involved white 

youth. 

Relative declines in arrests have 

been greater for boys than for girls 

across many offenses. As a result, 

the female share of juvenile arrests 

has grown since 1980. 

OJJDP and NIJ remain committed to 

supporting research, programs, and 

initiatives to combat juvenile 

delinquency and to provide positive 

outcomes for youth, their families, 

and their communities. 

Caren Harp 

OJJDP Administrator 

David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D. 

NIJ Director 

What do arrest statistics 

count? 

Findings in this bulletin are drawn from data 

that local law enforcement agencies across 

the country report to the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation’s (FBI’s) Uniform Crime 

Reporting (UCR) program. To properly 

interpret the material presented, the reader 

needs a clear understanding of what arrest 

statistics count. Arrest statistics report the 

number of arrests that law enforcement 

agencies made in a given year—not the 

number of individuals arrested nor the 

number of crimes committed. The number of 

arrests is not the same as the number of 

people arrested because an unknown 

number of individuals are arrested more than 

once during the year. Nor do arrest statistics 

represent the number of crimes that arrested 

individuals commit because a series of 

crimes that one person commits may 

culminate in a single arrest, and a single 

crime may result in the arrest of more than 

one person. This latter situation, where many 

arrests result from one crime, is relatively 

common in juvenile law-violating behavior 

because juveniles* are more likely than 

adults to commit crimes in groups. For this 

reason, one should not use arrest statistics to 

indicate the relative proportions of crime that 

juveniles and adults commit. Arrest statistics 

are most appropriately a measure of entry 

into the justice system. 

Arrest statistics also are limited in measuring 

the volume of arrests for a particular offense. 

Under the UCR program, the FBI requires law 

enforcement agencies to classify only the 

most serious offense charged in an arrest. 

For example, the arrest of a youth charged 

with aggravated assault and possession of a 

weapon would be reported to the FBI as an 

arrest for aggravated assault. Therefore, 

* In this bulletin, “juvenile” refers to persons younger 

than age 18. In 2018, this definition was at odds with 

the legal definition of juveniles in nine states—seven 

states where all 17-year-olds are defined as adults, 

and two states where all 16- and 17-year-olds are 

defined as adults. 

when arrest statistics show that law 

enforcement agencies made an estimated 

17,170 arrests of young people for weapons 

law violations in 2018, it means that a 

weapons law violation was the most serious 

charge in these arrests. An unknown number 

of additional arrests in 2018 included a 

weapons charge as a lesser offense. 

Crime in the United 

States Reports Data 

on Murder Victims 

Each Crime in the United States report, 

published by the FBI, presents estimates 

of the number of crimes reported to law 

enforcement agencies. Although many 

crimes are never reported, murder is 

one crime that is nearly always reported. 

An estimated 16,214 murders were 

reported to law enforcement agencies in 

2018, or 5.0 murders for every 100,000 

U.S. residents. The murder rate was 

essentially constant between 1999 and 

2006 and then fell 22% through 2014, 

reaching its lowest level since at least 

1980. The rate increased 19% through 

2017 then fell 7% in the past year. 

Of all murder victims in 2018, 92% (or 

14,908 victims) were 18 years old or 

older. The other 1,306 murder victims 

were younger than age 18 (i.e., 

juveniles). The number of juvenile 

murder victims declined 33% between 

2007 and 2013, reaching its lowest level 

since at least 1980. After reaching that 

historic low, the number of juvenile 

murder victims increased 16% through 

2017 and then declined 6% in the past 

year. As a result, the number of juvenile 

murder victims in 2018 was 9% above 

the 2013 low point and 55% below the 

1993 peak, when an estimated 2,880 

juveniles were murdered. 

Of all juveniles murdered in 2018, 35% 

were younger than age 5, 70% were 

male, 45% were white, and more than 

half (58%) were killed by a firearm. 
June 2020 3 

In 2018, law enforcement agencies in the United States 

made 728,280 arrests of persons younger than 18 

The number of arrests of juveniles in 2018 was 60% fewer than the number of arrests in 2009 

2018 estimated number 

of juvenile arrests 

Percent of total juvenile arrests Percent change 

Most serious offense Female 

Younger 

than 15 White 2009–2018 2014–2018 2017–2018 

Total 728,280 30% 30% 62% –60% –29% –10%

Violent Crime* 46,140 21 29 47 –44 –9 –5

Murder and nonnegligent 

manslaughter 920 11 10 40 –22 21 0

Rape* NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 

Robbery 17,290 11 20 34 –45 –11 –11

Aggravated assault 27,940 28 35 56 –44 –8 –1

Property Crime Index 131,500 32 29 55 –69 –44 –22

Burglary 22,250 13 30 55 –70 –45 –28

Larceny-theft 92,630 39 28 56 –71 –48 –22

Motor vehicle theft 14,780 18 25 45 –26 16 –9

Arson 1,850 17 58 68 –65 –41 –18

Nonindex 

Other (simple) assault 125,030 37 41 59 –43 –11 2 

Forgery and counterfeiting 1,040 20 20 57 –51 –12 –15

Fraud 4,710 31 24 41 –23 10 –1

Embezzlement 580 40 5 53 –4 27 –9

Stolen property (buying,

 receiving, possessing) 9,320 16 21 37 –50 –10 –11

Vandalism 30,600 19 38 68 –66 –32 –17

Weapons (carrying, possessing, etc.) 17,170 11 29 54 –49 –17 –6

Prostitution and commercialized vice 260 61 21 59 –81 –65 –6

Sex offense (except rape and 

prostitution)* NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 

Drug abuse violation 90,670 25 17 73 –47 –20 –4

Gambling 180 7 17 22 –90 –69 –35

Offenses against the family 

and children 3,340 38 36 68 –25 –1 –11

Driving under the influence 5,450 25 3 88 –60 –22 –10

Liquor law violation 26,350 42 14 87 –76 –49 –21

Drunkenness 3,270 31 15 80 –76 –49 –24

Disorderly conduct 57,760 36 40 55 –66 –28 –8

Vagrancy 680 24 28 50 –75 –28 –7

All other offenses (except traffic) 140,500 29 27 67 –57 –25 –6

Curfew and loitering 22,030 30 31 56 –80 –59 –27

•n	The number of arrests involving juveniles in 2018 was at its lowest level since at least 1980, and much of the decline has occurred in the past 10

years. Between 2009 and 2018, the number of juvenile arrests fell 60%.

•n	Among violent crimes, arrests for robbery declined 11% and arrests for aggravated assault declined 8% between 2014 and 2018, while arrests for

murder increased 21%.

•n	In 2018, there were an estimated 125,030 juvenile arrests for simple assault. Nearly 4 in 10 (37%) of these arrests involved females, more than 4

in 10 (41%) involved youth younger than 15, and nearly 6 in 10 (59%) involved white youth.

*Beginning in 2013, the FBI broadened the definition of rape, removing the phrase “forcible” from the offense name and description. (See the Notes on page 13 for more

detail.) Due to differences in agency reporting practices, national estimates for the offenses of “rape” and “sex offenses” are not available after 2012. The “violent

crimes” category (which includes murder, robbery, and aggravated assault) replaces the Violent Crime Index (which included “forcible rape”), as the latter category is no

longer compatible with prior years. In any given year prior to the change in the rape definition, these three offenses accounted for more than 95% of arrests for Violent

Crime Index offenses.

Note: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
4 National Report Series Bulletin 

 

Juvenile arrests for violent crimes reached a historic low 

in 2018 

Juvenile arrests for violent 

crimes decreased 5% in 

the past year 

This bulletin uses a measure of violence that 

includes the offenses of murder, robbery, and 

aggravated assault.* Following 10 years of 

decline between 1994 and 2004, juvenile 

arrests for violent crimes increased through 

2006 and then declined each year through 

2015. Juvenile arrests for violent crimes 

increased each of the next 2 years then fell 5% 

by 2018, reaching its lowest level since at least 

1980, and 68% less than the 1994 peak. 

After falling 71% between 1993 and 2004, 

juvenile arrests for murder increased through 

2007, then declined 46% through 2012 to 

reach the lowest level in three decades. 

However, the number of juvenile arrests for 

murder has increased each year since 2012. 

Juvenile arrests for robbery were cut in half 

between 1995 and 2002, increased through 

2008, and then fell 47% through 2015. The 

*See the Notes on page 13 for differences in the 

definition of rape that prohibit it from being included in 

the measure of violent crimes for trending purposes. 

number of juvenile robbery arrests increased 

each of the next 2 years then declined 11% 

through 2018, reaching its lowest level since 

at least 1980. The number of juvenile arrests 

for aggravated assault, which account for 

61% of all juvenile arrests for violent crime in 

2018, fell 67% between 1994 and 2018 to 

the lowest level in the last 39 years. 

Juvenile property crime 

arrests declined each year 

since 2008 

Law enforcement agencies nationwide 

consistently report data on four offenses that 

form the Property Crime Index—burglary, 

larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and 

arson—to determine trends in the number of 

property crime arrests. 

For the period 1980–1994, during which 

juvenile violent crime arrests increased 

substantially, juvenile property crime arrests 

remained relatively constant. After this long 

period of relative stability, juvenile property 

crime arrests began a two-decade decline. 

Between 1994 and 2018, the number of 

juvenile Property Crime Index arrests fell 83% 

and reached its lowest level since at least 

1980. Between 2009 and 2018, juvenile 

arrests declined for individual property 

offenses: burglary (70%), larceny-theft (71%), 

motor vehicle theft (26%), and arson (65%). 

Percent change in juvenile arrests 

2009–2018 

Most serious offense Juvenile Adult 

Violent crime* –44% –6%

Murder –22 –2

Robbery –45 –25

Aggravated assault –44 –1

Property Crime Index –69 –21

Burglary –70 –30

Larceny-theft –71 –22

Motor vehicle theft –26 24

Arson –65 10

Simple assault –43 –15

Weapons law violations –49 14

Drug abuse violations –47 5

*Includes murder, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the 

Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center 

for Juvenile Justice. (See data source note on page 

13 for details.) 

Juvenile arrests for violent crimes and Property Crime Index offenses reached historically low levels in 2018 

Number of arrests, youth ages 0−17 Number of arrests, youth ages 0−17 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

0 

20,000 

40,000 

60,000 

80,000 

100,000 

120,000 

140,000 

160,000 

Violent crime 

0 

100,000 

200,000 

300,000 

400,000 

500,000 

600,000 

700,000 

800,000 

Property Crime Index 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year Year

•n	Following a 52% decline since 2006, juvenile arrests for violent crimes •n	Arrests for Property Crime Index offenses have declined annually since

reached a new historic low in 2018. 2008, falling 70% by 2018. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
June 2020 5 

Juvenile arrest rates for murder continued to increase, 

while robbery and aggravated assault reached new lows 

Murder rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

Murder 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The juvenile murder arrest rate fell 44% between 2007 and 2012, when

it reached its lowest level since at least 1980. This decline was followed

by a 27% increase through 2018. 

•n	Although the juvenile murder arrest rate has increased annually since

2012, the rate in 2018 was 79% less than its 1993 peak.

Aggravated assault rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

Aggravated assault 

•n	Unlike the pattern for robbery, the juvenile arrest rate for aggravated

assault declined steadily for more than two decades. Following a

43% decline in the past 10 years, the rate in 2018 was at the 

lowest level since at least 1980 and 71% below the 1994 peak. 

•n	The relative decline in juvenile arrest rates over the past 10 years was

the same for aggravated assault and simple assault (43% each).

Robbery rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

200 

160 

120 

80 

40 

0 

Robbery 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The juvenile robbery arrest rate in 2015 reached its lowest level in more

than three decades. The rate increased each of the next 2 years then

fell 11%, reaching a new low in 2018. The rate in 2018 was half the 

2008 rate and 72% below the 1994 peak. 

•n	Juvenile robbery arrest rates declined for all gender and racial

subgroups since 2008: 51% for males, 39% for females, 52% for

Asians, 52% for blacks, 45% for whites, and 25% for American Indians. 

Simple assault rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Simple assault 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The simple assault arrest rate fell 50% between 2004 and 2017, then

increased slightly (2%) in 2018.

•n	Since 2004, the relative decline in the number of juvenile arrests for

simple assault outpaced that of adults (50% vs. 9%). As a result, 12%

of simple assault arrests in 2018 involved a juvenile, compared with 

20% in 2004. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
6 National Report Series Bulletin 

Juvenile arrest rates for burglary, larceny-theft, and 

arson reached historic lows in 2018 

Burglary rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Burglary 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	With few exceptions, the trend in the juvenile arrest rate for burglary

was a steady decline since 1980. By 2018, the rate reached its lowest

level since at least 1980, and was 70% below the rate 10 years earlier. 

•n	The large decline in juvenile burglary arrests was not reflected in the

adult statistics. For example, between 2009 and 2018, the number of

juvenile burglary arrests fell 70%, while adult burglary arrests fell 30%. 

As a result of this decline, 12% of all burglary arrests in 2018 were 

juvenile arrests, compared with 25% in 2009. 

Motor vehicle theft rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

350 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Motor vehicle theft 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Like the larceny-theft pattern, the juvenile motor vehicle theft arrest

rate declined considerably since the mid-1990s. However, unlike

larceny-theft, the motor vehicle theft arrest rate reached its low 

point in 2013, then increased 39% through 2017. Despite a 9% 

decline in the past year, the rate in 2018 was 26% above the 2013 

low point. 

•n	While juvenile motor vehicle theft arrest rates increased for all

demographic subgroups between 2013 and 2017, rates declined in

the past year: 9% each for males and females, 24% for Asians, 11% 

for American Indians, 10% for whites, and 9% for blacks. 

Larceny-theft rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

1,800 

1,600 

1,400 

1,200 

1,000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

Larceny-theft 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The juvenile larceny-theft arrest rate declined steadily from the mid1990s through 2006. This decline was interrupted by 2 years of

increase, and then followed by 10 consecutive years of decline. By 

2018, the rate was 71% below the 2008 level and at its lowest level 

since at least 1980. 

•n	Juvenile arrests for larceny-theft typically involve older juveniles (ages

15–17). Since 2008, older juveniles accounted for 70% or more of

juvenile larceny-theft arrests. 

Arson rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Arson 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	With few exceptions, the juvenile arrest rate for arson has declined since

the mid-1990s. Following 7 consecutive years of decline, the juvenile

arson arrest rate in 2018 fell to its lowest level of the 1980–2018 period. 

•n	Arson is the criminal act with the largest proportion of juvenile arrestees.

In 2018, 20% of all arson arrests were arrests of juveniles, and most of

these juvenile arrests (58%) involved youth younger than 15. In 

comparison, 10% of all larceny-theft arrests in 2018 involved juveniles, 

but only 28% of these juvenile arrests involved youth younger than 15. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
June 2020 7 

In 2018, juvenile arrest rates for weapons and vandalism 

reached new lows and drug abuse rates continued to decline 

Weapons law violation rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Weapons 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Similar to robbery, the juvenile arrest rate for weapons law violations

declined considerably since the mid-1990s. This decline was interrupted

between 2002 and 2006, when the juvenile weapons law violation 

arrest rate increased 32%. The rate has since fallen 62%, bringing the 

2018 rate to its lowest level since 1980. 

•n	The relative decline in weapons law violation arrests was not replicated

in the adult statistics. Since 2006, the number of juvenile weapons law

violation arrests fell 63%, while the number of adult arrests declined 

through 2013 then increased 29% through 2018. 

Vandalism rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Vandalism 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The juvenile arrest rate for vandalism has declined steadily since

2006. By 2018, the juvenile vandalism arrest rate fell to its lowest

level since at least 1980 and 82% below the 1994 peak. 

•n	Since 2006, the relative decline in the number of juvenile arrests for

vandalism outpaced that of adults (74% vs. 19%). As a result, 17%

of vandalism arrests in 2018 involved a juvenile, compared with 

39% in 2006. 

Drug abuse violation rate 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Drug abuse violation 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Following a period of relative stability between 2000 and 2006, the

juvenile drug abuse arrest rate declined 53% through 2018, reaching its

lowest level since the early 1990s, and just 1% above the 1983 low point. 

•n	The juvenile drug abuse arrest rate declined for most race groups in the

last 10 years, falling 51% for black youth, 45% for white youth, and 38%

for Asian youth; during this same period, the arrest rate for American 

Indian youth increased 9%. 

Violent crime age rate 

Arrests per 100,000 population in age group 

1,200 

1,000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 

Age 

Violent crime offenses 

1994 

1980 

2018 

•n	Regardless of age, the violent crime (murder, robbery, and aggravated

assault) arrest rate grew substantially between 1980 and 1994. During

this period, the relative increase was greater for juveniles than adults. 

•n	By 2018, arrest rates for violent crimes fell substantially from the 1994

peak for every age group younger than 45. Juveniles showed the largest

decline, falling more than 70% in each age group from 10 through 17. In 

comparison, the rates dropped an average of 59% for young adults ages 

18–21, 44% for adults ages 22–24, 36% for ages 25–29, 28% for ages 

30–39, and 15% for ages 40–44. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
8 National Report Series Bulletin 

 

 

In 2018, one-fifth of juvenile violent crime arrests involved 

females and more than half involved minority youth 

Females accounted for 

30% of juvenile arrests 

in 2018 

In 2018, law enforcement agencies made 

216,090 arrests of females younger than age 

18 and 512,180 arrests of males. Although 

males accounted for the majority (70%) of 

juvenile arrests overall in 2018, the female 

share was relatively high for certain offenses, 

including larceny-theft (39%), liquor law 

violations (42%), simple assault (37%), and 

disorderly conduct (36%). Females accounted 

for 21% of juvenile violent crime arrests and 

28% of aggravated assault arrests in 2018. 

From 2009 through 2018, arrests of juvenile 

females decreased less than male arrests in 

most offense categories (e.g., aggravated 

and simple assault, drug abuse violations, 

robbery, and burglary). 

Percent change in juvenile arrests 

2009–2018 

Most serious offense Female Male 

Violent crime* –37% –46%

Robbery –38 –46

Aggravated assault –37 –46

Simple assault –38 –46

Property Crime Index –73 –66

Burglary –67 –71

Larceny-theft –75 –67

Motor vehicle theft –19 –27

Vandalism –53 –68

Weapons –46 –50

Drug abuse violation –14 –53

Driving under influence –59 –60

Liquor law violation –74 –78

Disorderly conduct –63 –67

*Includes murder, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the 

Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center 

for Juvenile Justice. (See data source note on page 

13 for details.) 

Gender differences also occurred in arrest 

trends for adults. For example, between 2009 

and 2018, adult male arrests for aggravated 

assault fell 3% while adult female arrests 

increased 7%, and adult male arrests for 

simple assault fell 19% while adult female 

arrests fell 3%. Therefore, the female 

proportion of arrests grew for both types of 

assault for adults, as it did for juveniles. The 

number of drug abuse violation arrests 

declined more for juvenile males (53%) than 

females (14%) between 2009 and 2018, 

while it declined 3% for adult males and 

increased 36% for adult females. Over the 

same time, the number of disorderly conduct 

arrests of juvenile females fell 63% while it 

fell 67% for juvenile males, and adult female 

arrests fell 36% while male arrests fell 47%. 

Juvenile arrests 

disproportionately 

involved black youth 

The racial composition of the U.S. juvenile 

population ages 10–17 in 2018 was 75% 

white, 16% black, 6% Asian/Pacific Islander, 

and 2% American Indian. Half (50%) of all 

juvenile arrests for violent crimes in 2018 

involved black youth, 47% involved white 

youth, 2% involved Asian youth, and 1% 

involved American Indian youth. For Property 

Crime Index arrests, the proportions were 

55% white youth, 42% black youth, 2% Asian 

youth, and 2% American Indian youth. [Not all 

agencies provide ethnicity data through the 

Uniform Crime Reporting program; therefore, 

arrest estimates for juveniles of Hispanic 

ethnicity are not available.] 

Proportion of juvenile arrests in 2018 

Most serious offense Black 

Violent crime* 50% 

Murder 58 

Robbery 64 

Aggravated assault 41 

Simple assault 38 

Property Crime Index 42 

Burglary 42 

Larceny-theft 40 

Motor vehicle theft 52 

Vandalism 29 

Weapons 43 

Drug abuse violation 23 

Liquor law violation 6 

*Includes murder, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the 

Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center 

for Juvenile Justice. (See data source note on page 

13 for details.) 

In 2018, juveniles were involved in about 1 in 13 arrests for murder and 

about 1 in 5 arrests for robbery and vandalism 

Juvenile arrests as a percentage of total arrests 

Most serious offense All Male Female White Black Indian Asian 

Total 7% 7% 8% 6% 9% 6% 7% 

Murder 8 8 7 7 8 6 5 

Robbery 20 20 15 15 23 11 21 

Aggravated assault 7 7 8 6 9 5 5 

Burglary 12 14 8 10 18 18 12 

Larceny-theft 10 11 10 9 14 10 14 

Motor vehicle theft 16 17 13 11 26 18 12 

Arson 20 21 15 19 23 19 16 

Other (simple) assault 12 10 15 11 14 10 9 

Vandalism 17 18 14 17 17 17 13 

Weapon 10 10 12 10 10 12 13 

Drug abuse violation 5 5 6 6 5 10 7 

Liquor law violation 15 13 21 17 7 14 14 

Disorderly conduct 18 16 21 15 24 9 14 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for 

Juvenile Justice. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
June 2020 9 

Arrest rates for older juveniles were lower than the rates 

for young adults 

Age profile of older juveniles and young adults 

Percent of arrests of persons ages 15−24 

100% 

80% 

60% 

40% 

20% 

0% 

36% 39% 36% 40% 49% 

36% 37% 37% 37% 

33% 

28% 24% 27% 24% 19% 

1980 1990 2000 2010 2018 

Ages 21−24 Ages 18−20 Ages 15−17 

•n	The relative decline in the number of arrests was greater for older

juveniles (64%) than adults ages 18–20 (51%) and ages 21–24 (28%)

between 1980 and 2018. 

•n	As a result of this decline, older juveniles accounted for a smaller share

of arrests of persons ages 15–24 (19%) in 2018 than in 1980 (28%).

Violent crime 

Arrests per 100,000 population in age group 

1,000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

Violent crime 

Ages 21−24 

Ages 18−20 

Ages 15−17 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Violent crime arrest rates for older juveniles and young adults ages

18–20 followed a similar pattern between 1980 and 2018. Rates

peaked for both age groups in 1994, then fell considerably (71% 

and 62%, respectively) through 2018. 

•n	Comparatively, the violent crime arrest rate for adults ages 21–24

peaked in 1992, then declined 48% through 2018. Rates in 2018 for

each age group reached their lowest level since 1980. 

All offenses 

Arrests per 100,000 population in age group 

20,000 

16,000 

12,000 

8,000 

4,000 

0 

Ages 18−20 All offenses 

Ages 21−24 

Ages 15−17 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The overall arrest rate for older juveniles and young adults ages 18–20

followed a similar pattern. Rates peaked in 1996 for both groups, then

declined (74% and 62%, respectively) to reach their lowest level in 2018. 

•n	Comparatively, the arrest rate for adults ages 21–24 peaked earlier

(1989), then declined 50% by 2018 to its lowest level since at least 1980.

Property Crime Index 

Arrests per 100,000 population in age group 

4,500 

4,000 

3,500 

3,000 

2,500 

2,000 

1,500 

1,000 

500 

0 

Property Crime Index 

Ages 15−17 

Ages 18−20 

Ages 21−24 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Despite a brief interruption in the mid-2000s, Property Crime Index arrest

rates declined steadily for older juveniles and young adults since the mid1990s. In the last 10 years, rates declined 68% for older juveniles, 61% 

for young adults ages 18–20, and 43% for young adults ages 21–24; by 

2018, Property Crime Index arrest rates for each age group were at their 

lowest level since at least 1980. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
10 National Report Series Bulletin 

 

Females accounted for 3 of every 10 juvenile arrests 

in 2018 

All offenses 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 •n	The overall juvenile arrest rate declined in

14,000 All offenses 

Male 

Female 

recent years and the relative decline was 12,000 greater for males than for females. Since 10,000 2006, for example, the male arrest rate fell 8,000 65%, compared with 61% for females. 6,000 

4,000 •n	The number of arrests of females increased

2,000 more than males through the mid-1990s,

0 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 and then decreased less through 2018. As a 

Year Year result, the female share of juvenile arrests 

has increased, from 18% in 1980 to 30% 

in 2018. 

Larceny-theft •n	Larceny-theft arrest rate trends were marked

by two periods of substantial decline. From Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 Percent of youth arrests involving females 

2,500 

Larceny-theft 

Male 

Female 

the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s, the 

decline in the male rate outpaced that of 

50% 

2,000 40% 

Larceny-theft females (57% vs. 33%). In the more recent 

1,500 30% 10-year period, the female rate declined

1,000 20% 75%, compared with 67% for males.

500 10% •n	The net result was that the female share of

0 0% juvenile larceny-theft arrests increased from

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 26% in 1980 to 45% in 2009, then fell to Year Year

39% by 2018. 

•n	The male juvenile arrest rate for simple

Simple assault assault peaked in 1997, while the female

rate peaked 9 years later. Since their peaks, 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 rates fell more for males (57%) than for 

1,200 Simple assault 

Male 

Female 

50% females (43%). 

1,000 40% 

•n	By 2018, females accounted for 37% of 800 30% juvenile simple assault arrests. 600 

20% 

400 •n	Across genders, the disorderly conduct arrest

10% 200 rate declined in recent years and the relative

decline was greater for males than for 0 0%

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 females. Since 2006, the male arrest rate fell Year Year

73%, compared with 69% for females. 

•n	Similar to the pattern for simple assault, the

Disorderly conduct female share of disorderly conduct arrests

increased steadily and reached 36% in 2018. 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 Percent of youth arrests involving females 

1,200 Disorderly conduct 

Male 

Female 

50% 

1,000 40% 

800 30% 

600 

20% 400 

200 10%

0 0%

Disorderly conduct 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year Year

0% 

10% 

20% 

30% 

40% 

50% 

All offenses 

Percent of youth arrests involving females 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Simple assault 

Percent of youth arrests involving females 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
June 2020 11 

 

Arrest rates for murder and robbery were much higher 

for black youth than youth of other races 

Murder 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

Murder 

Black 

American Indian White

Asian 

•n	The murder arrest rate for white juveniles reached a historic low in

2013, 82% below its 1994 peak, while the rate for black juveniles found

its low point 1 year earlier, 87% below its 1993 peak. Since their 

respective low points, the rate for white youth increased 32% through 

2018, while the rate for black youth increased 47% through 2017 then 

declined 4% through 2018. 

•n	The disparity in black-to-white juvenile murder arrest rates peaked in

1993, when the black rate was nearly nine times the white rate. This

ratio declined by 2018, when the black rate was nearly seven times the 

white rate. 

Drug abuse violation 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

1,600 

1,400 

1,200 

1,000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

Drug abuse violation 

Black 

White 

American Indian 

Asian 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	In the last 10 years, the drug arrest rate declined 51% for black

youth, 45% for white youth, and 38% for Asian youth, but increased

9% for American Indian youth. 

•n	The black-to-white ratio in the drug abuse violation arrest rate has

narrowed in recent years, largely influenced by the considerable

decline in the black arrest rate since the mid-1990s (75% vs. 50% 

for the white arrest rate). The ratio peaked in 1991, at nearly 6 to 1; 

by 2018, the black arrest rate was 1.4 times the white rate. 

Robbery 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Robbery 

Black 

Asian White American Indian 

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	Juvenile robbery arrest rates reached a historic low in 2013 for white,

American Indian, and Asian youth, while the rate for black youth reached

its low point in 2018. From their low points to 2018, rates have 

increased 13% for white youth, 24% for American Indian youth, and 

40% for Asian youth. 

•n	Similar to murder, the black arrest rate for robbery was higher than the

rate for whites, but the difference in rates was far greater for robbery

than for murder. In 2018, for example, the robbery arrest rate for black 

juveniles was nearly nine times the white rate. 

 Liquor law violation 

Arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10−17 

1,200 

1,000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

Liquor law violation 

American Indian 

White 

Black 

Asian

82 86 90 94 98 02 06 10 14 18 

Year 

•n	The liquor law arrest rate declined for all race groups in the last 10

years: 78% for Asians, 76% for whites, 74% for blacks, and 64% for

American Indians. By 2018, the rate reached its lowest level since at 

least 1980 for all races. 

•n	Liquor law violations are one of the few offenses for which rates are

higher for American Indian juveniles than for other race groups. The

American Indian rate in 2018 was more than twice the white rate, 

nearly 7 times the rate for black youth, and 11 times the rate for 

Asian youth. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Juvenile Justice and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau and 

the National Center for Health Statistics. (See data source note on page 13 for details.) 
12 National Report Series Bulletin 

Many factors can influence state variations in juvenile 

arrest rates 

Although state data are available from the Uniform Crime Reporting program, comparisons should be made with 

caution because of variations in jurisdictional standards and reporting 

Arrests of juveniles under age 18 per Arrests of juveniles under age 18 per 2018 2018 

100,000 juveniles ages 10–17, 2018 100,000 juveniles ages 10–17, 2018 reporting reporting 

population Aggravated Larceny- Drug population Aggravated Larceny- Drug 

State coverage assault theft abuse Weapons State coverage assault theft abuse Weapons 

U.S. total 82% 84 413 269 50 Missouri 88% 89 522 365 43 

Alabama 63 48 306 41 28 Montana 94 61 688 370 15 

Alaska 99 187 561 234 23 Nebraska 79 39 858 605 47 

Arizona 92 95 476 467 36 Nevada 99 305 408 402 75 

Arkansas 88 104 508 330 41 New Hampshire 97 29 288 284 3 

California 100 97 185 73 68 New Jersey 88 56 229 349 59 

Colorado 87 87 626 447 55 New Mexico 67 128 319 315 44 

Connecticut 97 40 394 142 44 New York 49 62 392 298 33 

Delaware 100 216 593 302 89 North Carolina 52 55 486 257 70 

District of Columbia 0 NA NA NA NA North Dakota 100 86 592 584 31 

Florida 100 95 659 280 41 Ohio 77 55 326 183 36 

Georgia 64 71 424 276 52 Oklahoma 98 64 393 274 35 

Hawaii 81 46 297 324 12 Oregon 89 58 490 471 28 

Idaho 89 62 531 504 51 Pennsylvania 99 128 377 268 59 

Illinois 22 59 633 281 209 Rhode Island 100 67 423 108 89 

Indiana 60 96 412 267 47 South Carolina 87 69 529 445 94 

Iowa 0 NA NA NA NA South Dakota 92 75 750 935 108 

Kansas 45 19 73 141 2 Tennessee 94 133 595 368 65 

Kentucky 78 19 193 72 7 Texas 93 73 326 318 29 

Louisiana 85 204 891 362 106 Utah 84 56 710 636 39 

Maine 100 19 568 256 5 Vermont 98 37 185 70 22 

Maryland 97 128 629 347 104 Virginia 97 34 367 261 36 

Massachusetts 85 66 113 24 13 Washington 85 71 364 168 34 

Michigan 99 63 308 168 29 West Virginia 58 33 56 69 9 

Minnesota 99 71 715 291 54 Wisconsin 99 91 792 540 76 

Mississippi 39 32 441 149 54 Wyoming 88 93 729 1,082 30 

NA = Arrest counts were not available for the District of Columbia and Iowa in the FBI’s Crime in the United States, 2018. 

Notes: Arrest rates for jurisdictions with less than complete reporting may not be representative of the entire state. Although juvenile arrest rates may largely reflect juvenile 

behavior, many other factors can affect the magnitude of these rates. Arrest rates are calculated by dividing the number of youth arrests made in the year by the number of youth 

living in the jurisdiction. Therefore, jurisdictions that arrest a relatively large number of nonresident juveniles would have a higher arrest rate than jurisdictions where resident 

youth behave similarly. Jurisdictions (especially small ones) that are vacation destinations or that are centers for economic activity in a region may have arrest rates that reflect 

the behavior of nonresident youth more than that of resident youth. Other factors that influence arrest rates in a given area include the attitudes of citizens toward crime, the 

policies of local law enforcement agencies, and the policies of other components of the justice system. In many areas, not all law enforcement agencies report their arrest data 

to the FBI. Rates for such areas are necessarily based on partial information and may not be accurate. Comparisons of juvenile arrest rates across jurisdictions can be 

informative. Because of factors noted, however, comparisons should be made with caution. 

Data source: Analysis of arrest data from Crime in the United States, 2018 (Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2018) tables 3 and 22, and population data from the 

National Center for Health Statistics’ Vintage 2018 Postcensal Estimates of the Resident Population of the United States (April 1, 2010, July 1, 2010–July 1, 2018), by Year, County, 

Single-Year of Age (0, 1, 2, . . . , 85 Years and Over), Bridged Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex [machine-readable data files available online at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm, 

as of June 25, 2019]. 
June 2020 13 

 

Notes 

Data source 

The Bureau of Justice Statistics developed 

arrest estimates for 1980–2014 using the 

Arrest Data Analysis Tool [available online at 

www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=datool&surl=/ 

arrests/index.cfm, retrieved September 29, 

2017]; the National Center for Juvenile Justice 

developed arrest estimates for 2015–2018 

based on data published in the FBI’s Crime in 

the United States reports for the respective 

years; population data for 1980–1989 are 

from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Population 

Estimates by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic 

Origin: 1980 to 1999 [machine-readable data 

files available online, released April 11, 2000]; 

population data for 1990–1999 are from the 

National Center for Health Statistics (prepared 

by the U.S. Census Bureau with support from 

the National Cancer Institute), Bridged-Race 

Intercensal Estimates of the July 1, 1990–July 

1, 1999, United States Resident Population by 

County, Single-Year of Age, Sex, Race, and 

Hispanic Origin [machine-readable data files 

available online at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/ 

bridged_race.htm, released July 26, 2004]; 

population data for 2000–2009 are from the 

National Center for Health Statistics (prepared 

under a collaborative arrangement with the 

U.S. Census Bureau), Intercensal Estimates of 

the Resident Population of the United States 

for July 1, 2000–July 1, 2009, by Year, County, 

Single-Year of Age (0, 1, 2, . . . , 85 Years and 

Over), Bridged Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex 

[machine-readable data files available online 

at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm, 

as of October 26, 2012, following release by 

the U.S. Census Bureau of the revised 

unbridged intercensal estimates by 5-year 

age group on October 9, 2012]; and 

population data for 2010–2018 are from the 

National Center for Health Statistics (prepared 

under a collaborative arrangement with the 

U.S. Census Bureau), Vintage 2018 Postcensal 

Estimates of the Resident Population of the 

United States (April 1, 2010, July 1, 2010– 

July 1, 2018), by Year, County, Single-Year of 

Age (0, 1, 2, . . . , 85 Years and Over), Bridged 

Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex [machinereadable data files available online at www. 

cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm, as of

June 25, 2019, following release by the U.S.

Census Bureau of the unbridged vintage 2018

postcensal estimates by 5-year age group,

retrieved on July 1, 2019].

Data coverage 

FBI arrest data in this bulletin are counts of 

arrests detailed by age of arrestee and 

offense categories from all law enforcement 

agencies that reported complete data for the 

calendar year. (See Crime in the United 

States, 2018 for offense definitions.) The 

proportion of the U.S. population covered by 

these reporting agencies ranged from 72% to 

86% between 1980 and 2018, with 2018 

coverage of 76%. 

Estimates of the number of persons in each 

age group in the reporting agencies’ resident 

populations assume that the resident 

population age profiles are like the nation’s. 

Reporting agencies’ total populations were 

multiplied by the U.S. Census Bureau’s most 

current estimate of the proportion of the U.S. 

population for each age group. 

The reporting coverage for the total United 

States (82%) in the table on page 12 includes 

all states reporting arrests of persons 

younger than age 18. This is greater than the 

coverage in the rest of the bulletin (76%) for 

various reasons. For example, a state may 

provide arrest counts of persons younger 

than age 18 but not provide the age detail 

required to support other subpopulation 

estimates. 

Changes in the definition 

of rape in the FBI data 

Since 1927, forcible rape was defined by the 

FBI as “the carnal knowledge of a female, 

forcibly and against her will.” Beginning in 

2013, the FBI adopted a broader definition of 

rape: “Penetration, no matter how slight, of 

the vagina or anus with any body part or 

object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of 

another person, without the consent of the 

victim.” Unlike the definition in place for more 

than 80 years, the new definition does not 

require force and is gender neutral. 

Under current reporting practices, law 

enforcement agencies may submit data on 

rape arrests based on either the new 

definition or the legacy definition. Due to 

differences in agency reporting practices, 

national estimates for the offenses of “rape” 

and “sex offenses” are not available after 

2012. Additionally, estimates for the Violent 

Crime Index (which included “forcible rape”) 

are not shown as this category is no longer 

compatible with prior years. More information 

about these changes can be found on the 

FBI’s website [https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-inthe-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/rapeaddendum/rape_addendum_final]. 

Visit OJJDP’s Statistical Briefing Book for More 

Information on Juvenile Arrests 

OJJDP’s online Statistical Briefing Book (SBB) offers access to a wealth of information about 

juvenile crime and victimization and about youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Visit 

the “Law Enforcement and Juvenile Crime” section of the SBB at ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/ 

faqs.asp for more information about juvenile arrest rates. The SBB contains FAQs about 

juvenile arrests, displays arrest rate trends detailed by offense and youth demographics, 

and offers users access to national arrest data that support customizable annual and trend 

displays by offense and youth demographics. 


National Report Series Bulletin NCJ 254499

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

8660 Cherry Lane

Laurel, MD 20707-4651

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

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Acknowledgments 

This bulletin was written by Charles 

Puzzanchera, Senior Research Associate 

at the National Center for Juvenile 

Justice, with funds provided by OJJDP 

and managed by the National Institute of 

Justice to support the National Juvenile 

Justice Data Analysis Project. 

This bulletin was prepared under grant number 

2016–JF–FX–K001 from the Office of Juvenile 

Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), 

U.S. Department of Justice. 

To ensure the efficiency and coordination of all 

Office of Justice Programs research activities, the 

juvenile justice research, evaluation, and statistical 

data collection projects funded by OJJDP are 

managed by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). 

Points of view or opinions expressed in this 

document are those of the author and do not 

necessarily represent the official position or policies 

of NIJ, OJJDP, or the U.S. Department of Justice. 

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 

Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice 

Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice 

Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the 

National Institute of Justice; the Office for Victims of 

Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, 

Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and 

Tracking.