About Youth & Community Violence

Youth violence has lasting harmful effects on young people, their families, and their communities. In the United States, an average of 12 young people die by homicide every day. Homicide is a leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24 and among these victims 86% were male and 86% were killed with a firearm.
 

Youth Violence By the Numbers:

Average # youth victims of homicide per day

%

% youth homicide victims killed by firearm

Average # young people treated for physical assault injuries in U.S. emergency departments every day

Health Disparities in Youth Violence:

Among young people ages 10-24, homicide is the leading cause of death for African Americans; the second leading cause of death for Hispanics; and the third leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives. 1


School Violence:

Among high school youth (grades 9-12): 22.6% report being in a physical fight, 16.2% reported carrying a weapon and 7.8% reported carrying a weapon on school property. 1


Community Violence:

In the community, an estimated 50-60% of urban youth are exposed to neighborhood violence. In some neighborhood samples, that number climbs to nearly 100%.2

Up to one-third of urban male youth report being the victim of violence including beaten or mugged, attacked with a knife or stabbed, or shot by another person.3

Among adolescents ages 15-17, African American youth living in high-burden urban communities (similar to some communities on the South and West sides of Chicago) are at the greatest risk for being exposed to community violence than any other population in the United States.4

 

Economic Impact of Youth Violence:

Each year, youth homicides and assault-related injuries result in an estimated $18.2 billion in combined medical and work loss costs.1

Evidence-based violence prevention and intervention programs can save $5 for every $1 spent on other social service programs as well as significantly reduce crime and violence in neighborhoods.5

 

1: CDC Youth Violence Facts at a Glace. 2: Buka, Stichick, Birdthistle, & Earls (2001); Finkelhor, Turner, Ormrod, Hamby & Kracke (2009); 3: Singer, Anglin, Song, & Lunghofer (1995); 4: Aisenberg & Herrenkohl (2008)   5: Youth Violence: Trends, Myths, and Solutions