U.S.: Number of Murder Victims, by race
RaceNumber of murder victims
Total19,196
Black10,470
White7,704
Other race568
Unknown race454
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 2022
  • Published: Oct 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Black victims dominate murder statistics

Black victims account for 54.5% of all murder victims in the U.S. in 2022, the highest percentage among all races, despite making up a smaller percentage of the overall population.

White victims represent a significant portion

White victims make up 40.2% of the total murder victims, marking them as the second largest group affected by homicides.

Other races and unknown race victims

Victims from other races and those of unknown race account for a relatively small fraction of the total, with other races at 3% and unknown race victims at 2.4%.

Disproportionate impact on black community

The number of murder victims who are Black, at 10,470, starkly illustrates the disproportionate impact of murder on the Black community in comparison to other races.

Comparison between known and unknown racial data

Murders involving victims of known race (Black, White, Other race) significantly outweigh those with victims of unknown race, with 18,742 cases to 454, highlighting the importance of race in understanding murder demographics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who accounts for the highest percentage of murder victims in the U.S. in 2022?

Black victims account for the highest percentage of murder victims in the U.S in 2022, making up 54.5% of all victims.

Which racial group is the second largest for murder victim statistics in the U.S. in 2022?

White victims are the second largest group, accounting for 40.2% of the total murder victims.

What percentage of murder victims in the U.S. in 2022 do other races and unknown races make up?

In 2022, other races account for 3% and victims of unknown race make up 2.4% of the total murder victims in the U.S.

Terms and Definitions

Murder is defined as the unlawful, intentional killing of one human being by another. It is generally classified in criminal law as one of the most severe offenses a person can commit. The severity and consequences of this crime often vary based on a series of factors, such as premeditation, victims, location, and the implications of local laws and regulations.

A victim refers to a person who has suffered physical, emotional, or mental harm due to a criminal act. In the context of the article, a victim specifically refers to an individual who has lost their life as a result of a murder.

Race is a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits such as skin color, facial features, hair texture among others. The concept of race has been widely used in human societies to categorize and differentiate people.

The murder rate is a measure of the number of murders that occur in a particular population over a specified period, frequently reported per 100,000 individuals. This rate can further be organized and analyzed based on various factors, including the race of victims.

Racial disparities refer to differences that occur by race in various aspects of life, often due to historical, social, economic, and political factors. These disparities might appear in numerous areas, such as education, healthcare, employment, and in this case, crime rates.
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