San Diego homicides have declined in 2025, data shows
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San Diego homicides fell nearly 30% during the first six months of the year, according to new data from an organization of law enforcement executives.
Why it matters: The 2025 slide continues a multi-year decline — and matches nationwide and statewide trends — as violent crime recedes following a surge during the COVID years.
The big picture: The San Diego Police Department reported fewer homicides in the first half of this year than it did during the same period in 2019, before the COVID crime surge.
- Reported rapes and robberies are also well below the 2019 level, though aggravated assaults have increased.
By the numbers: From Jan. 1 through June 30, SDPD recorded 11 homicides, down 27% from a year earlier, according to stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
- It's also a 67% decline from the city's 34 in the first half of 2023, the recent high.
- SDPD recorded 19 homicides to start 2019, before the city's total began climbing in 2020.
Zoom in: SDPD has reported a small increase in rapes to start 2025 — 169 compared to 160 a year earlier.
- Reported robberies fell nearly 20%, to 478, and aggravated assaults were roughly unchanged from last year.
Threat level: The city's 2,141 reported aggravated assaults in the first six months of 2025 are 33% more than SDPD reported during the same period in 2019.
Context: California's major cities, with one exception, all saw homicides fall so far in 2025.
- Los Angeles (29%), San Francisco (35%), San Jose (25%), Oakland (21%) and Fresno (20%) all recorded declines.
- Sacramento police, however, have recorded a 10% increase in homicides this year.
What we're watching: President Trump has said he will tie federal grants to local police departments based on a requirement that they participate in his plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
- Local agencies could opt out of Trump's plans under pressure from local residents — and face fewer resources to fight crime.