TEXAS — Homicide and overall violent crime rates have dropped significantly across the country compared with just a few years ago. While this is good news for major cities that have struggled with crime, Spectrum News found that the trend does not seem to hold true in cities like Austin.
The Council on Criminal Justice conducted a study this past summer. It found that in 26 of the 30 cities studied, homicide rates were lower in the first half of 2026 than in the first half of 2019. But four cities had homicide rates from January through June 2026 that were above 2019 levels: Austin, Texas; Minneapolis, Minn.; Norfolk, Va.; and Pittsburgh, Pa.
Austin had the largest increase at 74%, according to the research.
Spectrum News asked Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis about the study.
“Am I happy with the homicide rate here? Absolutely not,” said Davis.
In 2019, Austin police recorded 37 homicides. Two years later, the number of homicides jumped by 143%.
“So you talk about a huge surge in homicides,” said Davis.
There is some good news. Austin’s homicide rate dropped 24% from 2024 to 2025. But the numbers are nowhere near where they were before the pandemic in 2020.
We asked Davis why the rate has varied so much in Austin. She said a new law that categorizes fentanyl-related deaths as homicides is driving up the numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels. The Austin Police Department has not said how many homicides have been drug-related since that new law took effect.
“We have fentanyl deaths or overdose deaths that are now being investigated as homicides,” said Davis.
Davis said the numbers are on track to continue declining. The hope is to bring the number back to pre-pandemic levels or better.