Jul 1, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Homicides in California rose by 31% in 2020

Jacob Knutson

ATF officers with San Jose police investigating a shooting in San Jose in May 2021. Photo: Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

2020 was California's deadliest year since 2007, as homicides increased by 31%, according to AP.

By the numbers: The state recorded 2,202 homicides last year — 523 more than in 2019 — and its homicides per 100,000 people rate rose to 5.5 from 4.2.

The big picture: Black people accounted for 31% of murder victims in 2020, even though they make up 6.5% of California’s population.

45% of victims were Hispanic and 16% were white.
"Last year saw such a stark increase in homicides in part because the number and rate of homicides the year before were so low," AP writes.

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Homicides in California rose by 31% in 2020

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