Report: Violent crime rate in Minnesota fell in 2025 to pre-COVID level
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Data released Thursday by the Department of Public Safety show the number of killings and other violent crimes reported in Minnesota last year continued on a yearslong downward trend.
Law enforcement agencies recorded 130 murders in 2025 in Minnesota compared with 172 in 2024.
According to the report, there were a total of 139 people who died as a result of homicide. However, nine were ruled justifiable, leaving 130 classified as criminal homicides, or murders. Minneapolis recorded 62 murders last year compared to 77 in 2024. And the city of St. Paul saw a more than 40 percent drop in murders — from 26 in 2024 to 15 in 2025.
The overall violent crime rate also dipped to levels not seen since 2019.
Other highlights from the report:
Law enforcement officers killed six people in use-of-force incidents in 2025, 11 fewer than in 2024.
The number of law enforcement officers assaulted dropped slightly, by 1.3 percent.
The number of bias crimes reported in 2025 stayed nearly level to the number recorded in 2024.
Carjacking incidents (including attempted carjackings) decreased 31 percent.
Property crimes such as burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson also declined.
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