Table 3

Crime in the United States
Offense and Population Percent Distribution by Region, 2009

Region	Population	Violent crime	Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter	Forcible rape	Robbery	Aggravated assault	Property crime	Burglary	Larceny- theft	Motor vehicle theft
United States Total¹	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Northeast	18.0	15.0	13.9	12.3	17.3	14.2	12.6	10.3	13.7	10.0
Midwest	21.8	19.6	20.0	24.7	19.8	18.9	20.8	20.6	21.2	18.0
South	36.9	42.5	44.8	38.4	39.4	44.5	43.9	48.0	43.2	37.8
West	23.3	22.9	21.3	24.6	23.6	22.5	22.7	21.2	21.8	34.2

¹ Because of rounding, the percentages may not add to 100.0.
NOTE: Although arson data are included in the trend and clearance tables, sufficient data are not available to estimate totals for this offense. Therefore, no arson data are published in this table.

Data Declaration

Provides the methodology used in constructing this table and other pertinent information about this table.

In 2009, regionally, the South, the most populous region accounted for 42.5 percent of all violent crimes. Lesser volumes of 22.9 percent in the West, 19.6 percent in the Midwest, and 15.0 percent in the Northeast were recorded.
Slightly less than 45 percent (44.8) of the Nation’s estimated total of murders occurred in the South. The West had
21.3 percent of murders, followed by the Midwest with 20.0 percent, and the Northeast with 13.9 percent.
During 2009, nearly 44 percent (43.9) of all estimated property crimes were recorded in the South. The West had
22.7 percent, followed by the Midwest with 20.8 percent, and the Northeast with 12.6 percent.