The current population of California is approximately 36 million people. The 1964 population was approximately one-half that number. As reported by the California Law Enforcement Agency, the total number of crimes committed in 1964 was 748,656 while the number for 2007 was nearly twice that, 1,2999.685.

       For some unknown reason, the peak for violent crimes, including murder, rape and robbery occurred during the 1991 - 1993 period, with a fairly steady decline since then even though the population has consistently increased each year.

Juvenile Crime

       Although most people assume that juvenile crime is on the rise, the statistics show otherwise. From 1998 to 2007, there was an increase in the population of juveniles between the age of 10 and 17, from 3,764,000 to 4,656,000. Yet, while the population increased, the number of juvenile felony arrests decreased from 76,000 to 66,000. The only noticeable increase was for weapons, which increased from 5,900 in 1998 to 6,500 in 2007.

• The vast majority of the homicide victims were female (85%)
• A gun was commonly used in the crime (35%).

Homicide Statistics by Race and Gender

       The number of actual California homicides fell from 3,700 to 2,400 from 1994 to 2004. The largest proportion of homicide victims were Hispanic (43%), followed by Black (32%), White (18%) and Others (7%). The largest age group of victims was 18-24 (31%), then 25-34 (26%), 45+ (17%), 35-44 (14%) and under 18 (12%). Male victims (83%) clearly outpaced female (17%). (Source: California Criminal Justice Statistics Center).

       Some interesting statistics in regards to homicides include the following;