U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Special Report

OCTOBER 2017 NCJ 250747

During the 4-year aggregated period from 2012 to 

2015, half (51%) of violent victimizations were 

intraracial—that is both victims and offenders were 

the same race or both were of Hispanic origin (figure 1).

1

During 2012-15, the percentage of intraracial victimization 

was higher than the percentage of interracial victimization 

for all types of violent crime except robbery. There was no 

statistically significant difference between the percentages 

of intraracial and interracial robbery victimization during 

this period.

This report uses data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) 

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to examine 

the race and Hispanic origin of victims age 12 or older and 

offenders of violent victimizations. Violent victimization 

includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, 

and simple assault. Intraracial victimizations include 

victims and offenders who were both or all white; black; 

American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, 

or Other Pacific Islander; or of Hispanic origin.2 Interracial 

victimizations include victims and offenders who were not 

the same race or Hispanic origin, victims of two or more 

races, single offenders of two or more races, and multiple 

offenders of various races (mixed race offender group). 

HIGHLIGHTS

 During 2012-15, half (51%) of violent victimizations were 

intraracial, that is both victims and offenders were the same 

race or both were of Hispanic origin. 

 In the majority of violent victimizations, white victims’ 

offenders were white (57%) and black victims’ offenders 

were black (63%).

 The rates of total violent crime, serious violent crime, and 

simple assault were higher for intraracial victimizations than 

for interracial victimizations.

 From 1994 to 2015, white-on-white violence (down 79%)

and black-on-black violence (down 78%) declined at a 

similar rate.

 During 2012-15, there were no differences among white, 

black, and Hispanic intraracial victimizations reported 

to police.

Race and Hispanic Origin of 

Victims and Offenders, 2012-15

Rachel E. Morgan, Ph.D., BJS Statistician

Figure 1

Percent of intraracial and interracial victims and offenders of 

violent victimizations, by type of crime, 2012–2015

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from the comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

aIncludes victims and single offenders of two or more races, multiple offenders of 

various races (mixed race group), and victims and offenders who were neither the 

same race nor were both of Hispanic origin. See appendix table 1 for estimates 

and standard errors.

bBoth victims and offenders were the same race or both were of Hispanic origin.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2012–2015.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

All violent 

victimization

Rape or sexual 

assault

Robbery

Aggravated assault

Simple assault

Type of crime

Unknown race or unknown 

number of oenders

Interracial victim 

and oendera Intraracial victim 

and oenderb

*

Percent

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

†

1Unless otherwise noted, comparisons in this report are significant at the 

95% confidence level.

2For single-offender violent victimizations, intraracial victimizations 

include both victims and offenders who were the same race or were both 

of Hispanic origin. For multiple-offender violent victimizations, intraracial 

victimizations include victims and offenders who were all the same race or 

were all of Hispanic origin.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 2

The NCVS collects data from victims on their experiences 

with crime, and offender demographic characteristics are 

based on the victim's perceptions. (For more information, 

see Overview of National Crime Victimization Survey 

data collection on violent offenders text box on page 3 and 

Methodology.) This report presents aggregate estimates for 

the 4-year period from 2012 through 2015. 

Unless noted, 1993 through 2015 trend estimates were based 

on 2-year rolling averages centered on the most recent year. 

For example, estimates reported for 1994 represent the 

average estimates for 1993 and 1994. By rolling averages and 

aggregating years, estimates and comparisons of detailed 

victimization characteristics become more reliable and 

stable. Data from 2012 to 2015 were aggregated in this 

report because of a change in the offender race and Hispanic 

origin categories that occurred in 2012. (See Summary of 

changes to collecting offender race and Hispanic origin in the 

National Crime Victimization Survey text box on page 6 for 

more information.)

In the majority of violent victimizations, white victims’ 

offenders were white and black victims’ offenders 

were black 

During 2012-15, U.S. residents experienced 5.8 million 

violent victimizations per year (table 1). About 3.7 million 

of these violent victimizations were committed against 

white victims.3 Among white victims, a higher percentage 

of victimizations were committed by white offenders (57%) 

than offenders of any other race. White victims perceived 

the offender to be black in 15% of violent victimizations and 

Hispanic in 11%.4

Of the 850,720 victimizations committed against black 

victims, a higher percentage involved black offenders (63%) 

than offenders of any other race. Black victims perceived the 

offender to be white in 11% of violent victimizations and 

Hispanic in nearly 7%. 

Fewer than half (40%) of violent victimizations committed 

against a Hispanic victim were committed by a Hispanic 

offender. However, the percentage committed by a Hispanic 

offender was higher than any racial category. An equal 

percentage of victimizations committed against a Hispanic 

victim was committed by a white or black offender 

(20% each).

Table 1

Percent of violent victimizations, by race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of offender

Race/Hispanic origin 

of victim

Average annual 

number Total White Black Hispanic Othera Single offenders of two or more races

Multiple offenders 

of various racesb

Unknown race or 

number of offenders

Total violent victimizationsc 5,833,800 100% 43.8% 22.7% 14.4% 2.2% 6.0% 2.8% 8.0%

White 3,679,410 100% 56.6* 14.7 † 11.0 † 1.7 † 6.1 † 2.1 † 7.9 †

Black 850,720 100% 10.9 † 63.2* 6.6 † 0.5 ! † 7.4† 4.0 † 7.4 †

Hispanic 846,520 100% 20.0 † 20.5 † 40.3* 2.5 † 5.7† 3.3 † 7.8 †

Otherd 198,320 100% 29.6 † 18.9 9.7 ‡ 17.5* 3.6 ! † 6.1 ! † 14.5

Persons of two or more races 258,830 100% 60.2* 13.8 † 7.2 † 2.3 ! † 3.9 † 5.5 † 7.1 †

Note: Comparison groups are intraracial percentages (white-on-white, black-on-black, Hispanic-on-Hispanic, or other race-on-other race). White, black, and other race 

categories exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. See appendix table 2 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at the 90% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is greater than 50%. 

aIncludes offenders perceived to be American Indian or Alaska Native or Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander.

bMixed race group.

cIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. 

dIncludes victims who were American Indian or Alaska Native, or Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

3White, black, and other race categories exclude persons of Hispanic or 

Latino origin.

4Unless otherwise noted, offender refers to a single offender or a group of 

offenders who were the same race or were all of Hispanic origin.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 3

Table 2

Race/Hispanic origin of violent victimization offenders, by type of victimization, 2012–2015

Total victimizations Single offender victimizations Multiple offenders victimizations

Race/Hispanic origin 

of violent offender

Average annual 

number Percent

Average annual 

number Percent

Average annual 

number Percent

Total violent victimizations* 5,833,800 100% 4,490,640 100% 1,150,090 100%

White 2,557,910 43.8% 2,208,850 49.2% 349,060 30.4%

Black 1,324,270 22.7% 1,039,920 23.2% 284,340 24.7%

Hispanic 841,500 14.4% 563,060 12.5% 278,450 24.2%

Other 127,070 2.2% 120,730 2.7% 6,340 ! 0.6%

American Indian or Alaska Native 23,590 0.4 20,750 0.5 2,830 ! 0.2 !

Asian 73,380 1.3 71,020 1.6 2,360 ! 0.2 !

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 30,110 0.5 28,960 0.6 1,150 ! 0.1 !

Two or more races (single offenders) 352,370 6.0% 352,370 7.8% ~ ~

Multiple offenders of various races 

 (mixed race group) 164,190 2.8% ~ ~ 164,190 14.3%

Unknown offender race 273,410 4.7% 205,710 4.6% 67,710 5.9%

Unknown number of offenders 193,080 3.3% ~ ~ ~ ~

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding and missing data. White, black, and other race categories exclude offenders of Hispanic or Latino origin. See 

appendix table 3 for standard errors.

~Not applicable.

! Interpret data with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is greater than 50%. 

*Includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Overview of National Crime Victimization Survey data collection on violent offenders

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) collects 

information from victims on their offenders in the Crime 

Incident Report (CIR). Offender demographic characteristics 

are based on the victim’s perceptions. The section on offenders 

begins with a question about the number of offenders. For 

violent victimizations involving a single offender, respondents 

are asked questions about the offender’s relationship with 

the victim, offender demographic characteristics (including 

sex, race, Hispanic origin, and age), membership in a street 

gang, use of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, 

and previous crimes committed against the respondent or 

respondent’s household. 

For violent victimizations involving multiple offenders, 

respondents are asked similar questions that capture whether 

the demographic characteristics apply to all or most of the 

offenders (e.g., whether all or most offenders were male).5

BJS statisticians and NCVS data users can tabulate the race and 

Hispanic origin for offenders of all violent victimizations by 

combining the race and Hispanic origin of offenders in single 

offender victimizations with data on the race and Hispanic 

origin of offenders in multiple offender victimizations.

During 2012-15, U.S. residents experienced an estimated 

5.8 million violent victimizations, with 4.5 million of those 

committed by a single offender (table 2). The offender was 

perceived to be white in about half (49%) of single offender 

victimizations. About a quarter (23%) of single offender 

victimizations were committed by a black offender, and 

13% were committed by a Hispanic offender. Eight percent of 

single offender violent victimizations were committed by an 

offender perceived to be of two or more races.6

During this period, U.S. residents experienced an estimated 

1.2 million violent victimizations committed by multiple 

offenders. Fourteen percent of multiple offender violent 

victimizations were committed by offenders perceived by the 

victim to be of a mixed race and Hispanic origin group. Because 

the primary focus of this report is on white, black, and Hispanic 

victims and offenders, this mixed race group category was not 

included in most tables in this report. 

In the majority (80%) of the 1.2 million multiple offender 

victimizations, victims perceived all the offenders to be of the 

same race or all of Hispanic origin. Victims perceived multiple 

offenders to be all white in 30% of these victimizations, all 

black in 25%, or all Hispanic in 24%. 

During 2012-15, when the single offenders were combined 

with groups of offenders who were of the same race or who 

were all of Hispanic origin, fewer than half (44%) of all violent 

victimizations were committed by an offender perceived 

to be white by the victim. About a quarter (23%) of violent 

victimizations were perceived to be committed by a black 

offender. Fourteen percent of violent victimizations were 

perceived to be committed by a Hispanic offender.

5See the BJS website for all questions included on the NCVS CIR.

6See Methodology for U.S. population of persons age 12 or older by 

race and Hispanic origin.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 4

The rate of violent crime was higher for intraracial 

victimizations than interracial victimizations 

during 2012-15

Regardless of the race of the victim, the rate of violent 

crime was higher for intraracial victimizations than for 

interracial victimizations during 2012-15. The rate of violent 

crime committed against a white victim by a white offender 

was 12.0 victimizations per 1,000 persons, compared to 

3.1 per 1,000 for those committed by a black offender 

(table 3). The rate of violent crime committed against a 

black victim by a black offender was 16.5 victimizations 

per 1,000 persons, compared to 2.8 per 1,000 for those 

committed by a white offender. The rate of violent crime 

committed against a Hispanic victim by a Hispanic offender 

was 8.3 victimizations per 1,000 persons, compared to 

4.1 per 1,000 for those committed by a white offender and 

4.2 per 1,000 for those committed by a black offender.

For intraracial violent victimizations, the rate of 

black-on-black violence (16.5 victimizations per 1,000 

black persons) was higher than the rate of white-on-white 

violence (12.0 per 1,000 white persons) and Hispanicon-Hispanic violence (8.3 per 1,000 Hispanic persons). 

This pattern was similar for intraracial serious violent 

victimizations. The rate of black-on-black serious violence 

(6.7 per 1,000 black persons) was higher than the rate 

of white-on-white (3.7 per 1,000 white persons) and 

Hispanic-on-Hispanic (3.2 per 1,000 Hispanic persons) 

serious violence. The rate of black-on-black simple assault 

victimizations (9.8 per 1,000 black persons) was higher 

than the rate of Hispanic-on-Hispanic victimizations 

(5.1 per 1,000 Hispanic persons) but not statistically 

different from the white-on-white rate (8.4 per 1,000 

white persons).

The rate of white-on-white and black-on-black 

violence declined from 1994 to 2015

From 1994 to 2015, white-on-white and black-onblack violence declined at a similar rate (figure 2). 

The rate of white-on-white violence declined 79%, from 

52.5 victimizations per 1,000 white persons to 10.8 per 

1,000. The rate of black-on-black violence declined 78%, 

from 66.6 victimizations per 1,000 black persons to 

14.5 per 1,000. 

Table 3

Rate of violent victimization, by type of crime and race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender

Rate per 1,000 persons age 12 or older

Total violent crimea Serious violent crime Simple assault

Total victimizations 22.0 7.4 14.5

White victim

White offender* 12.0 3.7 8.4

Black offender 3.1 † 1.2 † 1.9 †

Hispanic offender 2.4 † 0.9 † 1.4 †

Black victim

White offender 2.8 † 0.8 † 2.0 †

Black offender* 16.5 6.7 9.8

Hispanic offender 1.7 † 0.5 † 1.2 †

Hispanic victim

White offender 4.1 † 1.4 † 2.7 †

Black offender 4.2 † 2.1 † 2.1 †

Hispanic offender* 8.3 3.2 5.1

Note: White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some other race 

(American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; or persons of two or more races). See appendix table 4 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

aIncludes serious violent crime (rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault) and simple assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Figure 2

Rate of nonfatal violent victimization, by race of offender 

and victim, 1993–2015

Note: Based on 2-year rolling averages centered on the most recent year. Racial 

categories are shown as offender-on-victim crime. See appendix table 5 for 

estimates and standard errors.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 1993–2015.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

'94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15

Rate per 1,000 persons

Black-on-black violence

White-on-white violence

Black-on-white violence

White-on-black violence
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 5

Similar to the trend for intraracial violent victimization, 

the rate of interracial violent victimization declined from 

1994 to 2015. The rate of white-on-black violence declined 

74%, from 10.2 victimizations per 1,000 black persons to 

2.6 per 1,000. The rate of black-on-white violence declined 

80%, from 14.9 victimizations per 1,000 white persons to 

3.0 per 1,000. In 1994, the rate of black-on-white violence 

was higher than the rate of white-on-black violence. 

However, the rates converged over time.

Stranger violence accounted for the largest proportion 

of interracial violence

During 2012-15, among white victims the percentage of 

violence committed by a white offender (31%) was more 

often domestic violence than the percentage committed by 

a black (6%) or Hispanic (7%) offender (table 4). Domestic 

violence against black and Hispanic victims was also more 

likely to be intraracial than interracial.

Table 4

Percent of violent victimizations, by victim-offender relationship and race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender

Average annual 

number Total Domestic

Well known/casual 

acquaintance Stranger 

Total violent victimizationsa 5,833,800 100% 19.6% 34.9% 37.7%

White victim

White offender* 2,081,520 100% 30.7% 41.4% 27.2%

Black offender 540,360† 100% 6.2 † 26.7 † 64.4 †

Hispanic offender 406,450 † 100% 7.5 † 36.5 54.9 †

Black victim

White offender 91,470 † 100% 8.4% ! † 41.7% 49.9% ‡

Black offender* 537,470 100% 26.5 32.3 37.6

Hispanic offender 55,790 † 100% 7.4 ! † 44.5 47.2

Hispanic victim

White offender 169,040 † 100% 12.9% † 35.7% 49.6%

Black offender 173,120 † 100% 14.1 † 26.2 57.1†

Hispanic offender* 341,420 100% 23.3 31.0 44.0

Note: Estimates may not sum to total because the other race category is not shown. White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. 

Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some other race (American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; or persons 

of two or more races). See appendix table 6 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at the 90% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is greater than 50%. 

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

The percentage of violence committed against a white victim 

by a white offender (41%) was more often committed by 

a well-known or casual acquaintance than the percentage 

committed by a black offender (27%) who was a well-known 

or casual acquaintance. There were no statistically significant 

differences in the percentage of violence committed 

against black and Hispanic victims by a well-known or 

casual acquaintance.

During 2012-15, among white victims the percentage of 

violence committed by a white offender who was a stranger 

(27%) was lower than the percentage committed by a black 

(64%) or Hispanic (55%) offender who was a stranger. The 

percentage of violence committed against a black victim 

by a white offender who was a stranger (50%) was higher 

(90% confidence level) than the percentage committed by a 

black offender who was a stranger (38%). In comparison, the 

percentage of violence committed against a Hispanic victim 

by a black offender who was a stranger (57%) was greater 

than the percentage committed by a Hispanic offender who 

was a stranger (44%). 
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 6

Summary of changes to collecting offender race and Hispanic origin in the 

National Crime Victimization Survey 

In 2012, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) changed the 

manner in which the National Crime Victimization Survey 

(NCVS) collects information about the perceived race of 

offenders. Prior to 2012, the NCVS offender race categories 

were white, black, or some other race. In 2012, offender 

race categories were expanded to align with the Office of 

Management and Budget’s standards for measuring race and 

ethnicity. Offender race categories now include American 

Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific 

Islander; and persons of two or more races. In 2012, the NCVS 

also began collecting information on whether the offender 

was of Hispanic origin. 

During 2012-15, more than half (55%) of violent victimizations 

were committed by someone known to the victim 

(see table 4). Because most violent crime victims know their 

offender, most can provide reliable information about their race 

and Hispanic origin. Even with stranger-perpetrated violent 

crime, victims may be able to accurately identify the offender’s 

race and Hispanic origin using cues, such as the location of 

the crime, language used, mannerisms of the offender, and 

information from other sources, including police reports or 

arrest records.

NCVS questions aim to establish general characteristics of 

offenders instead of unique identities. Research on eyewitness 

testimony indicates that victims can identify general 

characteristics of offenders, such as sex, race, Hispanic origin, 

and age, and are more often correct than incorrect when 

identifying these characteristics.7

During 2008-11, prior to the implementation of the expanded 

offender race categories, there were an average of 5.7 million 

violent victimizations per year (table 5). Of these violent 

victimizations, the majority (54%) of offenders were white, 

22% were black, and 7% were some other race.

During 2012-15, after the implementation of the expanded 

offender race categories, there were an average of 5.8 million 

violent victimizations per year. Of these victimizations, 

44% involved a white offender, 23% involved a black offender, 

and 14% involved a Hispanic offender.

Table 5

Percent of nonfatal violent victimizations before and after changes to race/Hispanic origin offender categories, 2008–2015

2008–2011 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of offender

Average annual 

number Percent

Average annual 

number Percent

Total violent victimizationsa 5,702,800 100% 5,833,800 100%

Whiteb 3,065,900 53.8% 2,557,910 43.8%

Blackb 1,265,720 22.2% 1,324,270 22.7%

Hispanic ~ ~ 841,500 14.4%

Otherb 389,800 6.8% 127,070 2.2%

American Indian or Alaska Native ~ ~ 23,590 0.4

Asian ~ ~ 73,380 1.3

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ~ ~ 30,110 0.5

Two or more races (single offenders) ~ ~ 352,370 6.0%

Multiple offenders of various races (mixed race group) 196,070 3.4% 164,190 2.8%

Unknown offender race or number of offenders 484,900 8.5% 466,490 8.0%

Note: Estimates may not sum to total due to rounding and missing data. See Methodology. See appendix table 7 for standard errors.

~Not applicable.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. 

bDuring 2012–2015, excludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. See Methodology.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2015.

7Van Koppen, P.J., & Lochun, S.K. (1997). Portraying perpetrators: The 

validity of offender descriptions by witnesses. Law and Human Behavior, 

21(6), 661-685.

Continued on next page
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 7

Summary of changes to collecting offender race and Hispanic origin in the 

National Crime Victimization Survey (continued)

From 2008 to 2011, there was no statistically significant 

change in the rates of violent victimization committed 

by whites, blacks, and offenders of some other race 

(figure 3). From 2012 to 2015, the rate of violent victimizations 

committed by non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, 

and non-Hispanic offenders of some other race declined 

significantly. The rate of violent victimization committed 

by a non-Hispanic white offender declined 24% from 

11.0 victimizations per 1,000 persons to 8.4 per 1,000. The 

rate for non-Hispanic black offenders declined 35% (from 

6.0 victimizations per 1,000 to 4.0 per 1,000). The rate for 

non-Hispanic offenders of some other race declined 51% 

(from 3.7 victimizations per 1,000 to 1.8 per 1,000). There 

was no statistically significant change in the rate of violent 

victimizations committed by Hispanic offenders from 2012 

to 2015.

Figure 3

Rate of violent victimization, by race/Hispanic origin of offender, 2008–2015

Note: Estimates are not based on rolling averages because of the change in offender race categories that began in 2012. Dashed lines denote change in coding of 

race of offender to account for Hispanic or Latino origin. See Methodology. Violent victimizations include rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and 

simple assault. See appendix table 8 for estimates and standard errors.

*Includes American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; single offenders of two or more races; and multiple offenders of 

various races.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2015.

Rate per 1,000 persons

White

Black

Other

Other race, non-Hispanic*

Hispanic/Latino

Black, non-Hispanic

White, non-Hispanic

0

3

6

9

12

15

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Table 6

Percent of violent victimizations reported to police, by 

race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim 

and offender

Average annual 

number Percent

Total violent victimizationsa 5,833,800 45.5%

White victim

White offender* 2,081,520 45.9%

Black offender 540,350† 47.2

Hispanic offender 406,450† 45.1

Black victim

White offender 92,810 † 57.4%

Black offender* 537,470 51.7

Hispanic offender 55,790 † 47.0

Hispanic victim

White offender 169,040 † 42.6%

Black offender 173,120 † 55.0

Hispanic offender* 341,420 48.2

Note: Estimates may not sum to total because the other race category is not shown. 

White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. 

Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some other race 

(American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; 

or persons of two or more races). See appendix table 9 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from the comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

aIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

During 2012-15, there were no differences among 

white, black, and Hispanic intraracial victimizations 

reported to police

During 2012-15, the percentage of violent victimizations 

reported to police by white victims was not statistically 

different whether the offenders were white, black, or 

Hispanic (table 6).

8 This pattern was similar for black and 

Hispanic victims. 

Violent victimizations involving a Hispanic victim and white 

offender (43%) were less likely to be reported to the police 

than violent victimizations involving a black victim and 

white offender (57%, 90% confidence level). Victimizations 

involving white (47%) or Hispanic (55%) victims were 

equally as likely to be reported to police when the offender 

was black. White (45%) and black (47%) victims were 

equally as likely to report their victimization to police 

when the offender was Hispanic.

8The NCVS allows for examination of crimes reported and not reported 

to police. Police notification may occur during or immediately following 

a criminal incident or at a later date. The term police includes municipal 

police departments, sheriffs’ offices, or other state or local law enforcement 

agencies.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 8

Among white victims, intraracial violence was less 

likely to involve a weapon than interracial violence

During 2012-15, the percentage of violent victimizations that 

involved a weapon was lower for a white victim with a white 

offender (18%) than with a black (25%) or Hispanic (26%) 

offender (table 7). Among black and Hispanic victims, there 

were no statistically significant differences in the percentage 

of violent victimizations that involved a weapon, regardless 

of the race of the offender. 

During 2012-15, a lower percentage of violent victimizations 

against white victims involved a firearm when the offender 

was white (3%) than when the offender was black (11%) 

or Hispanic (7%). The percentage of violent victimizations 

that involved a firearm was lower for a Hispanic victim 

with a Hispanic offender (8%) than those committed by 

a black offender (19%). Among black victims, there were 

no statistically significant differences in the percentage of 

violent victimizations that involved a firearm across offender 

race and Hispanic origin categories.

Table 7

Percent of violent victimizations involving a weapon, by race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender Average annual number Any weapona Firearm No weapon Unknown

Total violent victimizationsb 5,833,800 20.9% 6.6% 71.6% 7.5%

White victim

White offender* 2,081,520 17.8% 3.5% 76.6% 5.7%

Black offender 540,360 † 24.7 † 11.1 † 64.9 † 10.4 †

Hispanic offender 406,450 † 25.9 † 6.6 † 66.2 † 8.0

Black victim

White offender 92,810† 20.0% 10.1% ! 72.7% † 7.3% ! †

Black offender* 537,470 25.8 13.0 59.5 14.7

Hispanic offender 55,790† 25.5 8.7 ! 70.9 3.6 ! †

Hispanic victim

White offender 169,040 † 24.9% 4.1% ! ‡ 67.5% 7.6%

Black offender 173,120 † 30.1 18.5 † 61.0 8.9

Hispanic offender* 341,420 25.4 8.4 68.5 6.1

Note: Estimates may not sum to total because the other race category is not shown. White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. 

Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some other race (American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; or persons 

of two or more races). See appendix table 10 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.

aIncludes firearm, knife, other type of weapon, or unknown weapon type.

bIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 9

There were no differences in the likelihood of injury 

for Hispanic victims across offender race and Hispanic 

origin categories

During 2012-15, the majority of violent victimizations 

did not result in injury to the victim. During this period, 

the percentage of violent victimizations resulting in 

injury was higher for white victims with white offenders 

(27%) compared to white victims with black offenders 

(21%) (table 8). There were no statistically significant 

differences in the percentage of victimizations that resulted 

in injury for Hispanic victims across offender race and 

Hispanic origin categories.

During 2012-15, a third (33%) of violent victimizations 

committed against a black victim by a black offender 

resulted in injury to the victim. A quarter (25%) of violent 

victimizations committed against a Hispanic victim by 

a Hispanic offender resulted in victim injury during this 

same period. The percentage of violent victimizations that 

resulted in injury was higher for black victims and black 

offenders (33%) than for white victims and black offenders 

(21%) during 2012-15.

Intraracial violence was higher than interracial 

violence for victims ages 12 to 49, regardless 

of victim race

During 2012-15, the percentage of intraracial violence was 

higher than the percentage of interracial violence for males 

and females, regardless of victim race or Hispanic origin 

(table 9). Among white victims, a similar percentage of the 

Table 8

Percent of violent victimizations involving victim injury, by 

race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of 

victim and offender

Average 

annual 

number Total Injureda Not injured

Total violent

 victimizationsb 5,833,800 100% 25.1% 74.9%

White victim

White offender* 2,081,520 100% 27.0% 73.0%

Black offender 540,360 † 100% 20.9 † 79.1 ‡

Hispanic offender 406,450 † 100% 30.7 69.3

Black victim

White offender 92,810 † 100% 11.4% ! † 88.6%†

Black offender* 537,470 100% 32.7 67.3

Hispanic offender 55,790 † 100% 23.4 ! 76.6

Hispanic victim

White offender 169,040 † 100% 26.2% 73.8%

Black offender 173,120 † 100% 26.3 73.7

Hispanic offender* 341,420 100% 24.7 75.3

Note: Estimates may not sum to total because the other race category is not 

shown. White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or 

Latino origin. Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some 

other race (American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other 

Pacific Islander; or persons of two or more races). See appendix table 11 for 

standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from the comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

‡Significant difference from comparison group at 90% confidence level. 

! Interpret with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or 

coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.

aIncludes serious injuries (sexual violence injuries, gunshot wounds, knife 

wounds, internal injuries, unconsciousness, and broken bones) and bruises, cuts, 

or other minor injuries. 

bIncludes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2012–2015.

Table 9

Percent of violent victimizations, by victim characteristics and race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and 

offender

Average annual 

number

Sex of victim Age of victim

Male Female 12–17 18–24 25–49 50 or older

White victim 3,028,330 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

White offender* 2,081,520 67.7 69.7 76.6 70.3 67.0 65.9

Black offender 540,360 17.8 † 17.9 † 9.8 † 19.0 † 22.0 † 14.8 †

Hispanic offender 406,450 14.5 † 12.4 † 13.7 † 10.7 † 11.0 † 19.2 †

Black victim 686,070 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

White offender 92,810 15.7 † 11.7 † 13.0 † 19.9! † 13.7 † 8.5 †

Black offender* 537,470 73.0 82.8 74.3 75.8 77.8 85.6

Hispanic offender 55,790 11.3 † 5.5 † 12.8 † 4.4 ! † 8.6 † 5.9 ! †

Hispanic victim 683,580 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

White offender 169,040 27.7 † 22.1 † 19.5 † 22.1 † 27.3 † 29.7

Black offender 173,120 28.9 † 22.1 † 26.6 † 25.2 † 22.3 † 35.7

Hispanic offender* 341,420 43.4 55.8 53.9 52.7 50.4 34.6

Note: Estimates may not sum to total because the other race category is not shown. White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. 

Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some other race (American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; or 

persons of two or more races). See appendix table 12 for standard errors.

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 10

victimizations against females (70%) and males (68%) were 

committed by a white offender. Black (83%) and Hispanic 

(56%) female victims were more likely to experience 

intraracial victimization than their male counterparts. 

For all instances except among Hispanic victims age 50 

or older, the percentage of intraracial violence was higher 

than the percentage of interracial violence for victims of all 

ages, regardless of victim race or Hispanic origin. Among 

Hispanic victims ages 50 or older, there were no statistically 

significant differences in the percentage of violence 

committed by white, black, and Hispanic offenders.

White and Hispanic youth ages 12 to 17 were more likely to 

experience intraracial violence than whites and Hispanics 

ages 50 or older. Among black victims, youth were less likely 

to experience intraracial violence (74%) than adults ages 50 

or older (86%, 90% confidence level). 

Intraracial violence was higher than interracial 

violence for white and black victims, regardless 

of the victim's location of residence

During 2012-15, the percentage of intraracial violence 

was higher than the percentage of interracial violence for 

white and black victims, regardless of the victim’s location 

of residence (table 10). For Hispanic victims in urban 

and suburban areas, a higher percentage of violence was 

committed by a Hispanic offender than a black or white 

offender. This pattern did not hold true in rural areas.

The percentage of intraracial violence for white victims was 

lower in urban areas (57%) than in suburban (70%) and 

rural (86%) areas. The percentage of intraracial violence 

for black victims was higher in urban (82%) than suburban 

(72%) areas, but not statistically different than rural areas 

(77%). There were no statistically significant differences 

across the victim's location of residence for Hispanic victims 

of intraracial violence.

Table 10

Percent of violent victimizations, by location of residence and race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender Average annual number Urban Suburban Rural

White victim 3,028,320 100% 100% 100%

White offender* 2,081,520 57.4 70.3 85.7

Black offender 540,350 26.3 † 16.1 † 7.4 †

Hispanic offender 406,450 16.3 † 13.7 † 6.9 †

Black victim 686,070 100% 100% 100%

White offender 92,810 10.5 † 18.8 † 13.0 ! †

Black offender* 537,470 82.4 71.6 77.3

Hispanic offender 55,790 7.1 † 9.6 † 9.7 ! †

Hispanic victim 683,580 100% 100% 100%

White offender 169,040 19.7 † 29.0 † 41.3

Black offender 173,120 29.5 † 21.6 † 13.0 ! †

Hispanic offender* 341,420 50.8 49.3 45.7

Note: Estimates may not sum to total because the other race category is not shown. White and black victims and offenders exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. 

Excludes victimizations in which the victim or offender was of some other race (American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; or 

persons of two or more races). See appendix table 13 for standard errors. 

*Comparison group.

†Significant difference from comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 11

Methodology

Survey coverage

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is an 

annual data collection conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau 

for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The NCVS is a 

self-report survey in which interviewed persons are asked 

about the number and characteristics of victimizations 

experienced during the prior 6 months. The NCVS collects 

information on nonfatal personal crimes (rape or sexual 

assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault, and personal 

larceny) and household property crimes (burglary, motor 

vehicle theft, and other theft) both reported and not 

reported to police. In addition to providing annual level and 

change estimates on criminal victimization, the NCVS is 

the primary source of information on the nature of criminal 

victimization incidents.

Survey respondents provide information about themselves 

(sex, race, Hispanic origin, age, marital status, education 

level, and income) and whether they experienced a 

victimization. For each victimization incident, the NCVS 

collects information from the victim's perspective about 

the offender (sex, race, Hispanic origin, age, and victimoffender relationship), characteristics of the crime (including 

time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of 

injury, and economic consequences), whether the crime 

was reported to police, reasons the crime was or was 

not reported, and victim experiences with the criminal 

justice system.

The NCVS is administered to persons age 12 or older from 

a nationally representative sample of households in the 

United States. The NCVS defines a household as a group 

of persons who all reside at a sampled address. Persons are 

considered household members when the sampled address is 

their usual place of residence at the time of the interview and 

when they have no usual place of residence elsewhere. Once 

selected, households remain in the sample for 3 years, and 

eligible persons in these households are interviewed every 

6 months either in person or over the phone for a total of 

seven interviews.

All first interviews are conducted in person with subsequent 

interviews conducted either in person or by phone. New 

households rotate into the sample on an ongoing basis to 

replace outgoing households that have been in the sample 

for the 3-year period. The sample includes persons living 

in group quarters, such as dormitories, rooming houses, 

and religious group dwellings, and excludes persons 

living in military barracks and institutional settings, such 

as correctional or hospital facilities and persons who 

are homeless.

Nonresponse and weighting adjustments

In 2015, there were 95,760 households and 163,880 persons 

age 12 or older interviewed for the NCVS. Each household 

was interviewed twice during the year. The response rate was 

82% for households and 86% for eligible persons.

Victimizations that occurred outside the United States were 

excluded from this report. In 2015, fewer than 1% of the 

unweighted victimizations occurred outside the United 

States and were excluded from the analyses.

Estimates in this report use data from the 1993 to 2015 

NCVS data files, weighted to produce annual estimates 

of victimization for persons age 12 or older living in 

U.S. households. Because the NCVS relies on a sample 

rather than a census of the entire U.S. population, weights 

are designed to inflate sample point estimates to known 

population totals and to compensate for survey nonresponse 

and other aspects of the sample design.

The NCVS data files include both person and household 

weights. Person weights provide an estimate of the 

population represented by each person in the sample. 

Household weights provide an estimate of the U.S. 

household population represented by each household in the 

sample. After proper adjustment, both household and person 

weights are also typically used to form the denominator in 

calculations of crime rates.

Victimization weights used in this analysis account for 

the number of persons present during an incident and for 

high-frequency repeat victimizations (series victimizations). 

Series victimizations are similar in type but occur with such 

frequency that a victim is unable to recall each individual 

event or describe each event in detail. Survey procedures 

allow NCVS interviewers to identify and classify these 

similar victimizations as series victimizations and to collect 

detailed information on only the most recent incident in 

the series.

The weight counts series incidents as the actual number 

of incidents reported by the victim, up to a maximum of 

10 incidents. Including series victimizations in national 

rates results in large increases in the level of violent 

victimization. However, trends in violent crime are generally 

similar, regardless of whether series victimizations are 

included. In 2015, series incidents accounted for about 1% 

of all victimizations and 4% of all violent victimizations. 

Weighting series incidents as the number of incidents 

up to a maximum of 10 incidents produces more reliable 

estimates of crime levels, while the cap at 10 minimizes the 

effect of extreme outliers on rates. Additional information 

on the series enumeration is detailed in the report Methods 

for Counting High-Frequency Repeat Victimizations in the 

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCJ 237308, BJS web, 

April 2012).
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 12

Standard error computations

When national estimates are derived from a sample, as 

with the NCVS, caution must be used when comparing one 

estimate to another estimate or when comparing estimates 

over time. Although one estimate may be larger than another, 

estimates based on a sample have some degree of sampling 

error. The sampling error of an estimate depends on several 

factors, including the amount of variation in the responses 

and the size of the sample. When the sampling error around 

an estimate is taken into account, the estimates that appear 

different may not be statistically different.

One measure of the sampling error associated with an 

estimate is the standard error. The standard error may vary 

from one estimate to the next. Generally, an estimate with a 

small standard error provides a more reliable approximation 

of the true value than an estimate with a large standard error. 

Estimates with relatively large standard errors are associated 

with less precision and reliability and should be interpreted 

with caution.

To generate standard errors around numbers and estimates 

from the NCVS, the U.S. Census Bureau produced 

generalized variance function (GVF) parameters for BJS. 

The GVFs take into account aspects of the NCVS complex 

sample design and represent the curve fitted to a selection of 

individual standard errors based on the Balanced Repeated 

Replication (BRR) technique. The GVF parameters were used 

to generate standard errors for each point estimate (counts, 

percentages, and rates) in this report.

BJS conducted tests to determine whether differences in 

estimated numbers, percentages, and rates in this report were 

statistically significant once sampling error was taken into 

account. Using statistical programs developed specifically 

for the NCVS, all comparisons in the text were tested for 

significance. The primary test procedure was the Student’s 

t-statistic, which tests the difference between two sample 

estimates. Unless otherwise noted, the findings described in 

this report as higher, lower, or different passed a test at the 

0.05 level of statistical significance (95% confidence level). 

Findings that passed a test at the 0.10 level of statistical 

significance are noted as such in the text (90% confidence 

level). Caution is required when comparing estimates not 

explicitly discussed in this report.

Data users can use the estimates and the standard errors of 

the estimates provided in this report to generate a confidence 

interval around the estimate as a measure of the margin of 

error. The following example illustrates how standard errors 

can be used to generate confidence intervals:

According to the NCVS, during 2012-15, the rate of 

violent crime committed against a white victim by an 

offender perceived to be white was 12.0 victimizations 

per 1,000 persons (see table 3). Using the GVFs, BJS 

determined that the estimated rate has a standard error 

of 0.65 (see appendix table 4). A confidence interval 

around the estimate was generated by multiplying 

the standard errors by ±1.96 (the t-score of a normal, 

two-tailed distribution that excludes 2.5% at either end 

of the distribution). Therefore, the 95% confidence 

interval around the 12.0 estimate during 2012-15 is 12.0 ± 

(0.65 × 1.96) or (10.7 to 13.3). In other words, if BJS used 

the same sampling method to select different samples and 

computed an interval estimate for each sample, it would 

expect the true population parameter (rate of violent 

crime committed against a white victim by an offender 

perceived to be white) to fall within the interval estimates 

95% of the time.

In this report, BJS also calculated a coefficient of variation 

(CV) for all estimates, representing the ratio of the standard 

error to the estimate. CVs provide a measure of reliability 

and a means for comparing the precision of estimates across 

measures with differing levels or metrics.

Methodological changes to the NCVS in 2006

Methodological changes implemented in 2006 may have 

affected the crime estimates for that year to such an extent 

that they are not comparable to estimates from other years. 

Evaluation of 2007 and later data from the NCVS conducted 

by BJS and the U.S. Census Bureau found a high degree 

of confidence that estimates for every year from 2007 to 

2015 are consistent with and comparable to estimates for 

2005 and previous years. The reports are available on the 

BJS website: 

 Criminal Victimization, 2006 (NCJ 219413, December 2007)

 Criminal Victimization, 2007 (NCJ 224390, December 2008) 

 Criminal Victimization, 2008 (NCJ 227777, September 2009) 

 Criminal Victimization, 2009 (NCJ 231327, October 2010) 

 Criminal Victimization, 2010 (NCJ 235508, September 2011) 

 Criminal Victimization, 2011 (NCJ 239437, October 2012)

 Criminal Victimization, 2012 (NCJ 243389, October 2013) 

 Criminal Victimization, 2013 (NCJ 247648, September 2014) 

 Criminal Victimization, 2014 (NCJ 248973, August 2015)

 Criminal Victimization, 2015 (NCJ 250180, October 2016)
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 13

Changes to collecting offender race and Hispanic origin in 

the NCVS

In 2012, BJS changed the manner in which the NCVS 

collects information about the perceived race of a violent 

offender. Information on an offender’s race and Hispanic 

origin is collected from the victim. Therefore, it is based on 

the victims’ perceptions. Prior to 2012, the NCVS offender 

race categories were white, black or African American, and 

some other race. In 2012, offender race categories were 

expanded to align with the Office of Management and 

Budget’s standards for measuring race and ethnicity. The 

race variable now includes categories for American Indian 

or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific 

Islander; and persons of two or more races. In 2012, the 

NCVS also began collecting information on whether an 

offender was of Hispanic origin.

The following page lists the NCVS questions on offender 

race and Hispanic origin prior to 2012 and also lists 

questions that include the new categories implemented 

in 2012.

Race and Hispanic origin of victims and offenders in 

this report

Exclusion of the other race category

BJS has received numerous requests from data users and 

the media seeking statistics on the race and Hispanic origin 

of violent crime victims and their offenders. Most requests 

asked for statistics on white, black, and Hispanic victims 

and offenders perceived to be white, black, or Hispanic 

origin. For this reason, this report covers these groups. 

It excludes victims and offenders perceived to be of some 

other race (including American Indian or Alaska Native, 

or Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander) and 

persons of two or more races from the majority of the tables 

and figures. These other race categories were also excluded 

because the sample sizes for these categories were small and 

many estimates were flagged as unreliable.

Perceived Hispanic victims and offenders

Victim and offender racial categories (white, black, or some 

other race) presented in this report did not include persons 

of Hispanic origin. If a victim identified as Hispanic or 

the victim perceived an offender to be Hispanic, they were 

included in the Hispanic category, regardless of their race. 

Violent crime victims were asked whether they perceived 

their offenders to be of Hispanic origin. Only offenders 

perceived by the victim to be Hispanic were included as 

Hispanic. If victims did not know whether the offender 

was Hispanic, they were not included as Hispanic and were 

instead coded into their perceived racial category.

Missing data on race and Hispanic origin of offenders

The majority (55%) of violent victimizations were committed 

by someone known to the victim (current or former 

intimate partner, other relative, or well-known or casual 

acquaintance); therefore, it was assumed that the victim 

knew the approximate sex, race, Hispanic origin, and age of 

the offender. During 2012-15, the race and Hispanic origin 

of single and multiple offenders was unknown in 5% of 

violent victimizations.

Table 11

U.S. population of persons age 12 or older, by race/Hispanic 

origin, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin Average annual number Percent

Total 265,649,910 100%

White 172,611,780 65.0%

Black 32,599,700 12.3%

Hispanic 41,364,400 15.6%

Other 15,481,100 5.8%

American Indian or 

 Alaska Native 1,376,970 0.5

Asian 13,391,180 5.0

Native Hawaiian or Other 

 Pacific Islander 712,950 0.3

Persons of two or more races 3,223,550 1.2%

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding and missing data. White, black, 

and other race categories exclude persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 14

9Variable names in 2011 NCVS Public Use File codebook.

10Variable names in 2015 NCVS Public Use File codebook.

Old race questions (prior to 2012) New race and Hispanic origin questions (started in 2012)

Single offender questions and variable names9 Single offender questions and variable names10

[no Hispanic origin question] V4237a: Was the offender Hispanic or Latino?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

V4246: Was the offender White, Black, or some other race?

1. White

2. Black

3. Other

4. Don’t know

V4246a: What race or races was the offender? You may select more 

than one. Was the offender...

(enter all that apply)

V4246b: White

V4246c: Black or African American

V4246d: American Indian or Alaska Native

V4246e: Asian

V4246f: Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

V4246g: Don’t know

Multiple offender questions and variable names Multiple offender questions and variable names

[no Hispanic origin question] V4252a: Were any of the offenders Hispanic or Latino?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

[no Hispanic origin question] [if yes to v4252a]

Were the offenders mostly Hispanic, mostly non-Hispanic, or an 

equal number of Hispanic and non-Hispanic?

1. Mostly Hispanic

2. Mostly non-Hispanic

3. Equal number of Hispanic and non-Hispanic

4. Don’t know

V4279: Were the offenders White, Black, or some other race?

V4280: White

V4281: Black

V4282: Other

V4283: Don’t know race of any/some

V4279: What race or races were the offenders? Were they—

(enter all that apply)

V4280: White

V4281: Black or African American

V4282a: American Indian or Alaska Native

V4282b: Asian

V4282c: Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

V4283: Don’t know

[if respondent reported more than one race in 

previous question]

V4285: What race were most of the offenders?

1. Mostly White

2. Mostly Black

3. Mostly some other race

4. Equal number of each race

5. Don’t know

[if respondent reported more than one race in previous question] 

V4285a: What race were most of the offenders?

1. Mostly White

2. Mostly Black or African American

3. Mostly American Indian or Alaska Native

4. Mostly Asian

5. Mostly Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

6. Equal number of each race

7. Don’t know
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 15

Appendix table 1

Estimates and standard errors for figure 1: Percent of intraracial and interracial victims and offenders of violent victimizations, 

by type of crime, 2012–2015

Estimate Standard error

Race/Hispanic 

origin of victim 

and offender

All violent

victimizations

Rape or 

sexual 

assault Robbery

Aggravated 

assault

Simple 

assault

All violent 

victimizations

Rape or 

sexual 

assault Robbery

Aggravated 

assault

Simple 

assault

Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Intraracial victim 

 and offender* 51 55 47 52 52 1.5% 3.5% 2.5% 2.1% 1.6%

Interracial victim 

 and offender 41 † 39 † 45 42 † 40 † 1.4 3.3 2.5 2.0 1.5

Unknown race or 

 unknown number

 of offenders 8 † 7 † 9 † 6 † 8 † 0.6 1.5 1.2 0.8 0.7

Average annual

 number 5,833,800 340,790 657,550 974,790 3,860,660 353,035 49,572 68,964 86,439 259,398

*Comparison group.

~Not applicable.

†Significant difference from the comparison group at the 95% confidence level.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Appendix table 2

Standard errors for table 1: Percent of violent victimizations, by race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic 

origin of victim

Average annual 

number

Race/Hispanic origin of offender

White Black Hispanic Other

Single offender of 

two or more races

Multiple offenders 

of various races

Unknown race or 

number of offenders

Total violent

 victimizations 353,035 1.41% 1.10% 0.87% 0.28% 0.52% 0.33% 0.62%

White 257,273 1.67 1.02 0.87 0.28 0.62 0.32 0.72

Black 96,145 1.46 2.65 1.11 0.26 1.19 0.84 1.19

Hispanic 95,833 1.98 2.00 2.59 0.65 1.02 0.75 1.22

Other 38,003 4.07 3.39 2.47 3.27 1.47 1.94 3.01

Persons of two or more races 44,831 4.12 2.63 1.88 1.03 1.37 1.64 1.87

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Appendix table 3

Standard errors for table 2: Race/Hispanic origin of violent victimization offenders, by type of victimization, 2012–2015

Total victimizations Single offender victimizations Multiple offender victimizations

Race/Hispanic origin of violent offender

Average annual 

number Percent

Average annual 

number Percent

Average annual 

number Percent

Total violent victimizations 353,035 ~ 294,913 ~ 117,333 ~

White 200,788 1.41% 181,774 1.56% 54,106 2.12%

Black 128,879 1.10% 109,757 1.20% 47,547 1.95%

Hispanic 95,459 0.87% 73,470 0.87% 46,927 1.93%

Other 28,964 0.28% 28,084 0.35% 5,317 0.24%

American Indian or Alaska Native 10,898 0.10 10,147 0.12 3,472 0.16

Asian 20,884 0.20 20,487 0.26 3,151 0.14

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 12,500 0.12 12,229 0.15 2,172 0.10

Two or more races (single offenders) 54,431 0.52% 54,431 0.67% ~ ~

Multiple offenders of various races 

 (mixed race group) 33,843 0.33% ~ ~ 33,843 1.50%

Unknown offender race 46,394 0.45% 38,870 0.49% 19,921 0.93%

Unknown number of offenders 37,380 0.36% ~ ~ ~ ~

~Not applicable. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 16

Appendix table 4

Standard errors for table 3: Rate of violent victimization, by 

type of crime and race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender, 

2012–2015

Race/Hispanic 

origin of victim and 

offender

Rate per 1,000 persons age 12 or older

Total violent 

crime

Serious violent 

crime Simple assault

Total victimizations 0.86 0.34 0.63

White victim

White offender 0.65 0.24 0.49

Black offender 0.26 0.11 0.18

Hispanic offender 0.21 0.10 0.15

Black victim

White offender 0.43 0.17 0.33

Black offender 1.32 0.60 0.92

Hispanic offender 0.31 0.13 0.24

Hispanic victim

White offender 0.49 0.20 0.37

Black offender 0.50 0.27 0.31

Hispanic offender 0.78 0.35 0.55

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2012–2015.

Appendix table 5

Estimates and standard errors for figure 2: Rate of nonfatal violent victimization, by race of offender and victim, 1993–2015

Estimate Standard error

Year

White-on-white 

violence

Black-on-black 

violence

White-on-black 

violence

Black-on-white 

violence

White-onwhite violenceBlack-on-black 

violence

White-on-black 

violence

Black-on-white 

violence

1994 52.5 66.6 10.2 14.9 2.11 4.32 1.35 0.92

1995 48.7 63.6 9.1 14.3 1.74 3.59 1.06 0.77

1996 44.3 54.9 10.5 11.8 1.74 3.42 1.18 0.71

1997 43.5 53.6 8.8 10.1 1.93 3.76 1.17 0.72

1998 41.5 49.5 6.6 8.3 2.28 4.27 1.15 0.76

1999 36.9 42.7 5.5 7.2 2.01 3.69 0.96 0.65

2000 30.0 37.3 4.9 6.5 1.78 3.43 0.92 0.62

2001 23.6 30.3 3.9 5.4 1.42 2.82 0.74 0.52

2002 23.0 27.8 4.7 4.2 1.55 2.93 0.92 0.48

2003 23.5 26.1 5.4 3.5 1.60 2.86 1.00 0.43

2004 20.7 25.0 3.3 3.9 1.33 2.62 0.73 0.43

2005 18.3 23.9 2.2 4.3 1.15 2.40 0.55 0.43

2006 19.5 27.6 3.5 4.2 1.12 2.44 0.66 0.40

2007 18.6 29.3 3.5 4.2 1.11 2.49 0.60 0.39

2008 16.0 23.2 2.6 3.9 1.09 2.36 0.57 0.41

2009 15.0 20.3 4.0 3.2 1.20 2.55 0.91 0.43

2010 13.4 19.2 4.3 2.7 1.11 2.35 0.86 0.37

2011 13.4 16.0 2.7 2.5 1.02 1.88 0.57 0.32

2012 14.1 17.9 2.6 3.1 0.90 1.78 0.52 0.32

2013 13.3 18.4 3.1 3.3 1.03 2.11 0.66 0.39

2014 12.1 15.4 2.2 3.2 0.88 1.68 0.47 0.35

2015 10.8 14.5 2.6 3.0 0.81 1.65 0.55 0.34

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 1993–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 17

Appendix table 6 

Standard errors for table 4: Percent of violent victimizations, by victim-offender relationship and race/Hispanic origin of victim 

and offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender

Average annual 

number Domestic

Well known/casual 

acquaintance Stranger 

Total violent victimizations 353,035 1.02% 1.32% 1.36%

White victim

White offender 174,619 1.74% 1.92% 1.66%

Black offender 71,543 1.28 2.65 3.09

Hispanic offender 59,600 1.59 3.29 3.51

Black victim

White offender 23,788 3.22% 6.15% 6.30%

Black offender 71,296 2.65 2.85 2.99

Hispanic offender 17,795 3.76 7.67 7.73

Hispanic victim

White offender 34,450 3.04% 4.60% 4.90%

Black offender 34,957 3.13 4.11 4.85

Hispanic offender 53,354 2.99 3.34 3.68

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Appendix table 7 

Standard errors for table 5: Percent of nonfatal violent victimizations before and after changes to race/Hispanic origin offender 

categories, 2008–2015

2008–2011 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of offender

Average annual 

number Percent

Average annual 

number Percent

Total violent victimizations 393,966 ~ 353,035 ~

White 256,847 1.66% 200,788 1.41%

Black 140,788 1.24% 128,879 1.10%

Hispanic ~ ~ 95,459 0.87%

Other 64,854 0.64% 28,964 0.28%

American Indian or Alaska Native ~ ~ 10,898 0.10

Asian ~ ~ 20,884 0.20

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ~ ~ 12,500 0.12

Two or more races (single offenders) ~ ~ 54,431 0.52%

Multiple offenders of various races (mixed race group) 41,970 0.42% 33,843 0.33%

Unknown offender race or number of offenders 74,676 0.73% 65,088 0.62%

~Not applicable.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 18

Appendix table 8

Estimates and standard errors for figure 3: Rate of violent victimization, by race/Hispanic origin of offender, 2008–2015

Estimate Standard error

Year White

White, 

non-Hispanic Black

Black, 

non-Hispanic

Other 

race

Other race, 

non-Hispanic 

Hispanic/

Latino 

origin White

White, 

non-Hispanic Black

Black, 

non-Hispanic

Other 

race

Other race, 

non-Hispanic

Hispanic/

Latino 

origin

2008 12.9 ~ 5.4 ~ 2.4 ~ ~ 1.11 ~ 0.62 ~ 0.37 ~ ~

2009 11.9 ~ 5.4 ~ 2.6 ~ ~ 1.18 ~ 0.68 ~ 0.41 ~ ~

2010 10.9 ~ 4.7 ~ 1.8 ~ ~ 1.09 ~ 0.60 ~ 0.30 ~ ~

2011 12.4 ~ 4.3 ~ 2.4 ~ ~ 1.05 ~ 0.50 ~ 0.33 ~ ~

2012 13.0 11.0 6.3 6.0 3.8 3.7 3.3 0.94 0.84 0.58 0.56 0.42 0.41 0.38

2013 12.7 10.2 5.1 5.0 2.6 2.3 4.0 1.23 1.05 0.65 0.63 0.40 0.37 0.54

2014 10.6 9.0 5.0 5.0 2.1 2.0 2.6 0.93 0.83 0.56 0.56 0.31 0.29 0.35

2015 9.9 8.4 4.2 4.0 2.1 1.8 2.8 0.92 0.82 0.51 0.49 0.32 0.29 0.39

~Not applicable.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2015.

Appendix table 9

Standard errors for table 6: Percent of violent victimizations 

reported to police, by race/Hispanic origin of victim and 

offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of 

victim and offender

Average annual 

number Percent

Total violent victimizations 353,035 1.42%

White victim

White offender 174,619 1.97%

Black offender 71,543 3.14

Hispanic offender 59,600 3.46

Black victim

White offender 23,995 6.23%

Black offender 71,296 3.17

Hispanic offender 17,795 7.72

Hispanic victim

White offender 34,450 4.81%

Black offender 34,957 4.86

Hispanic offender 53,354 3.73

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 

2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 19

Appendix table 11

Standard errors for table 8: Percent of violent victimizations involving victim injury, by race/Hispanic origin of victim and 

offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender Average annual number Injured Not injured

Total violent victimizations 353,035 1.15% 1.31%

White victim

White offender 174,619 1.65% 1.84%

Black offender 71,543 2.39 2.66

Hispanic offender 59,600 3.11 3.31

Black victim

White offender 23,995 3.70% 4.08%

Black offender 71,296 2.86 3.04

Hispanic offender 17,795 6.37 6.69

Hispanic victim

White offender 34,450 4.15% 4.41%

Black offender 34,957 4.12 4.38

Hispanic offender 53,354 3.06 3.32

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Appendix table 10

Standard errors for table 7: Percent of violent victimizations involving a weapon, by race/Hispanic origin of victim and 

offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender Average annual number Any weapon Firearm No weapon Unknown

Total violent victimizations 353,035 1.06% 0.55% 1.36% 0.60%

White victim

White offender 174,619 1.36% 0.55% 1.76% 0.72%

Black offender 71,543 2.57 1.76 3.08 1.70

Hispanic offender 59,600 2.92 1.50 3.39 1.65

Black victim

White offender 23,995 4.78% 3.50% 5.68% 2.97%

Black offender 71,296 2.62 1.90 3.15 2.02

Hispanic offender 17,795 6.58 4.08 7.15 2.61

Hispanic victim

White offender 34,450 4.07% 1.69% 4.68% 2.33%

Black offender 34,957 4.32 3.56 4.80 2.50

Hispanic offender 53,354 3.10 1.83 3.55 1.54

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.
RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN OF VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, 2012-15 | OCTOBER 2017 20

Appendix table 13

Standard errors for table 10: Percent of violent victimizations, by location of residence and race/Hispanic origin of victim and 

offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender Average annual number Urban Suburban Rural

White victim 225,232 ~ ~ ~

White offender 174,619 2.62% 2.03% 2.43%

Black offender 71,543 2.17 1.40 1.50

Hispanic offender 59,600 1.74 1.29 1.45

Black victim 83,522 ~ ~ ~

White offender 23,995 1.92% 3.17% 5.10%

Black offender 71,296 2.78 4.00 6.81

Hispanic offender 17,795 1.56 2.29 4.43

Hispanic victim 83,325 ~ ~ ~

White offender 34,450 2.71% 3.51% 8.98%

Black offender 34,957 3.20 3.12 5.90

Hispanic offender 53,354 3.65 4.02 9.12

~Not applicable. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.

Appendix table 12

Standard errors for table 9: Percent of violent victimizations, by victim characteristics and race/Hispanic origin of victim and 

offender, 2012–2015

Race/Hispanic origin of victim and offender

Average annual 

number

Sex of victim Age of victim

Male Female 12–17 18–24 25–49 50 or older

White victim 225,233 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

White offender 174,619 2.14% 2.08% 2.92% 3.05% 2.25% 2.71%

Black offender 71,543 1.53 1.51 1.74 2.36 1.77 1.78

Hispanic offender 59,600 1.38 1.25 2.07 1.77 1.25 2.02

Black victim 83,523 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

White offender 23,995 2.60% 2.08% 3.58% 4.53% 2.35% 2.78%

Black offender 71,296 3.54 2.83 5.11 5.21 3.23 3.95

Hispanic offender 17,795 2.21 1.40 3.56 2.17 1.85 2.30

Hispanic victim 83,325 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

White offender 34,450 3.28% 2.85% 3.77% 4.28% 3.27% 6.19%

Black offender 34,957 3.34 2.85 4.28 4.52 3.02 6.55

Hispanic offender 53,354 3.76 3.66 5.03 5.41 3.84 6.49

~Not applicable. 

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2012–2015.
NCJ250747

The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal 

federal agency responsible for measuring crime, criminal victimization, criminal 

offenders, victims of crime, correlates of crime, and the operation of criminal 

and civil justice systems at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels. BJS collects, 

analyzes, and disseminates reliable and valid statistics on crime and justice 

systems in the United States, supports improvements to state and local criminal 

justice information systems, and participates with national and international 

organizations to develop and recommend national standards for justice statistics. 

Jeri M. Mulrow is acting director.

This report was written by Rachel E. Morgan. Erika Harrell verified the report.

Brigitte Coulton and Jill Thomas edited the report. Steve Grudziecki produced 

the report.

October 2017, NCJ 250747

Office of Justice Programs

Building Solutions • Supporting Communities • Advancing Justice

www.ojp.usdoj.gov