Nation's Crime Rate Steady at 30-Year Low

The nation's crime rate last year held steady at the lowest levels since the government began surveying crime victims in 1973, the Justice Department reported.

The study was the latest contribution to a decade-long trend in which violent crime as measured by victim surveys has fallen by 55% and property crime by 49%. That has included a 14% drop in violent crime from 2000 to 2003.

The 2003 violent crime rate -- including assault, sexual assault and armed robbery -- stood at 22.6 victims for every 1,000 people age 12 and older. That's about one violent crime victim for every 44 U.S. residents.

Murder is not counted because the Bureau of Justice Statistics study is based on statements by crime victims.