The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about numerous changes in various aspects of American life, including a significant decline in arrest rates. According to a recent analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice, annual arrests in the United States have dropped by 25% since the onset of the pandemic. This trend is evident in the data from 1980 to 2024, which shows a notable decrease in the number of arrests.
Decline in Arrest Rates
The analysis, led by Stephanie Kennedy, Ph.D., policy director at the Council on Criminal Justice, reveals that adult arrests have not rebounded from the 2020 decline. In 2019, approximately 10 million people were arrested, whereas in 2024, the number decreased to about 7.5 million. This significant drop in arrest rates is a notable trend that warrants further examination.
Kennedy’s analysis of FBI data from 1980 to 2024 provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of arrests in the United States. While men still account for the majority of arrests, the share of female arrests has increased, with girls making up 31% of all juvenile arrests in 2024 and women making up about 27% of adult arrests in the same year. However, Kennedy cautions against interpreting this as a rise in female arrests, but rather as a reflection of the declining male arrest rates.
Demographic Trends in Arrests
The data shows that the peak for men’s arrests was in 1989, and by 2024, it was about 66% lower. In contrast, the peak for female adult arrests was in 2009, and by 2024, it was about 42% lower than the 2009 peak. These trends highlight the importance of considering the nuances of demographic changes in arrest rates. Kennedy notes that men are more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, while women’s system contact is often tied to trauma, relationships, and survival-related behavior.
Despite the decline in female arrest rates, the number of incarcerated women has increased by over 600% in the past several decades, rising from 26,326 in 1980 to 186,244 in 2023, according to the nonprofit The Sentencing Project. Since 2020, women’s incarceration has climbed faster than men’s, with jail rates up 33% for women versus 17% for men, and prison rates for women up 9%.
Juvenile and Drug Offense Arrests
Juvenile arrest numbers remain lower than in 2019, despite recent headlines about juvenile carjackings and motor vehicle thefts. Kennedy expresses surprise at the low rates of juvenile arrests since 2019, which began trending downward in 2008. Juvenile arrests accounted for about 19% of all arrests in 1980, and 7% in 2024. However, the report notes that different juvenile groups had varying outcomes, with violent and property arrest rates rising for boys and girls, while drug arrests declined for boys but increased for girls.
Arrests for drug offenses have also fallen dramatically in recent years, with the national drug offense rate dropping to half of what it was in 2019 for both adults and juveniles. Kennedy attributes this decline to states passing laws that reduce penalties for many drug offenses, which has led to a shift in law enforcement priorities. Some law enforcement officials agree that making low-level drug arrests can be time-consuming and ultimately ineffective, citing judicial frustrations and the likelihood of released offenders.
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