An Analysis of 2020 Homicide Data
UNITED STATES
2,059 females were murdered by males in the United States in 2020
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in the United States was 1.34 per 100,000 in 2020
AGE
For homicides in which the age of the victim was reported (2,022 homicides), there were 125 female homicide victims (6 percent) who were less than 18 years old and 224 victims (11 percent) who were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 40 years old.
RACE
Out of 2,059 female homicide victims, 1,259 were white, 641 were Black, 60 were Asian or Pacific Islander, 44 were American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 55 were of unknown race.
MOST COMMON WEAPONS
For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 61 percent of female victims (1,057 out of 1,735) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 64 percent (675 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 319 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 89 females killed by a blunt object, and 163 females killed by bodily force.
VICTIM/OFFENDER RELATIONSHIP
For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 89 percent of female victims (1,604 out of 1,801) were murdered by someone they knew. There were 197 female victims killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 60 percent (967 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the female intimates who were murdered, 65 percent (562 victims) were killed with guns; 66 percent of these (370 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
CIRCUMSTANCE
For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 88 percent (1,364 out of 1,550) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 58 percent (797 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.
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