Falling Crime Rates Have Changed American Cities

The drop in crime in cities has extended American life expectancies, especially those of black men, and brought more wealthy people into urban areas.

1 minute read

January 18, 2018, 8:00 AM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Hells Kitchen Sidewalk New York City

ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock

American cities have become less violent in few decades, but Patrick Sharkey argues the causes and outcomes of this change are often misunderstood. In terms of the outcomes, falling crime rates have brought wealthy people into areas they had not lived in before and made some towns more tourist-friendly, but more importantly, the decline in violence has had a pronounced effect on American life expectancy, particularly for African Americans. "We found that the national decline in the homicide rate since [1991] has increased the life expectancy of black men by roughly nine months," Patrick Sharkey writes in the New York Times.

What caused this drop in crime is disputed. While Sharkey concedes that some of the drop in crime comes from problematic policing practices that put more Americans in jail, an under appreciated factor in making cities safer was the growth in anti-violence non-profits. "In a typical city with 100,000 people each additional nonprofit devoted to confronting violence led to a roughly 1 percent drop in the city's murder rate," Sharkey writes. He contends that these groups working directly with the community and law enforcement have the capacity to do yet more to curb violence and could be part of "a new model for combating urban violence." 

Saturday, January 13, 2018 in The New York Times

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Interstate 55 with cars and green freeway signs in Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation

Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

June 7, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Graphic of Maggi Adamek superimposed over green field and image of hands holding tabletfor The Planning Commission Podcast

Do You Want Fries With That? Exploring the Intricacies of Food Systems Planning

Food systems expert Maggi Adamek talks with The Planning Commission Podcast about the complexities of food policy, from local zoning ordinances to international trade agreements.

4 minutes ago - The Planning Commission Podcast

Two blue and white tents on a paved bike trail under an overpass in San Diego, California with palm tree and vegetation on one side

How San Diego Camping Ban Could Impact Neighborhoods

An ordinance supported by the city’s mayor would bar people from sleeping on the street near shelters or services, but critics say it will simply push people to other neighborhoods and put them farther away from the supportive services they need.

June 8 - Voice of San Diego

Small white one-story building with Maggie Hathaway Golf Course sign with American flag on flagpole and green lawn

Expanding Access to Golf in South Los Angeles

L.A. County’s Maggie Hathaway Golf Course getting up to $15 Million from U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to expand access to the sport in South L.A.

June 8 - Los Angeles Times

Principal Planner – Advanced Plans

Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department

Planning Officer

City of Bangor

Planning Director

Park City Municipal Corporation

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.