Portland homicides plunge 51% in first half of 2025
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Homicides in Portland fell by more than half in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, new national crime data shows.
Why it matters: Portland's drop is among the steepest in the U.S. — reinforcing a broader decline in violent crime since the pandemic surge.
By the numbers: Portland saw 17 homicides between Jan. 1 and June 30, according to stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).
- That's down from 35 in the same period in 2024, one of the largest decreases in the nation.
- Nationwide, homicides fell by 19%, with decreases of at least 50% in Denver, Honolulu, Orlando and Tampa.
- In Portland, rape, robbery and aggravated assault also fell, though by smaller percentages, per the report.
Catch up quick: There was a notable increase in the rate of gun violence across the U.S. during the pandemic.
- Portland began to see a surge in shootings in July 2020, which law enforcement officials attributed to multiple factors, including the dissolution a month prior of PPB's Gun Violence Reduction Team.
- That unit faced criticism for disproportionately patrolling Black neighborhoods.
- It was relaunched in 2022 with more emphasis on community outreach.
What they're saying: The plummeting stats were a result of increased police work, but also programs like Portland Ceasefire, the Office of Violence Prevention and community groups, Mayor Keith Wilson told Axios.
- "Every family, community leader, neighborhood group, faith organization, and individual who has stepped up to look out for one another has had a hand in this progress," Wilson said in a statement.
- Police chief Bob Day said the drop was "a promising sign that our collective efforts are having a real impact."
What's next: The quarterly reports from MCCA typically have been a good measure of trends that are reflected in the annual FBI crime data released a year later.
The bottom line: Wilson said the city needs to continue to build on the momentum the stats represent.
- "We know far too many Portlanders continue to face the threat of gun violence, including those living on our streets."