America’s Assault Crisis: From Living Rooms to Sidewalks

In 2023, more than 3.25 million assaults were reported across the United States, including both simple and aggravated cases. Behind these statistics lies a troubling reality: most assaults don’t happen in back alleys or unfamiliar places; they happen in homes, streets, and parking lots where people spend their daily lives. This new study from Farmer & Morris reveals more. 

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Simple vs. Aggravated Assault

According to FBI definitions, simple assault, such as shoves or slaps without weapons, made up nearly three-quarters of all incidents last year (2.44 million cases). Aggravated assault, involving weapons like guns and knives, accounted for another 818,908 cases, each one carrying the potential for catastrophic injury.

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Weapons on the Rise

Handguns were the most common weapon, appearing in 165,261 aggravated assault cases. Fists and feet were not far behind (161,409), proving that human aggression itself can be as dangerous as firearms. Knives were used in 131,764 cases, while firearms of unspecified type (103,799) and other improvised weapons (80,703) rounded out the top five.

The duality is striking: Americans are nearly as likely to be assaulted with a fist as with a gun.

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The South: America’s Violence Epicenter

The regional breakdown reveals a stark imbalance. The South reported 1,587,736 assaults in 2023, far more than the Midwest (848,984), West (682,372), or Northeast (528,043).

This means nearly half of all assaults nationwide occurred in the South, a trend tied to socioeconomic inequality, high gun ownership, and limited public health services.

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Top States for Assault

Texas stands out with 436,908 reported assaults, followed by New York (274,089) and California (254,705). Other high-ranking states include Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio in the Midwest, plus Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia in the South.

These states account for a disproportionate share of the nation’s violent encounters and represent crucial battlegrounds for crime reduction strategies.

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Per Capita Leaders

Per capita, the District of Columbia had the highest assault rate nationwide (3,405 per 100,000 residents). Tennessee and Arkansas followed closely, with Nevada, New Mexico, and South Carolina also among the most violent states by population.

These findings confirm that violence intensity is not just about population size; it’s about systemic vulnerabilities.

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Where Assaults Occur

Data from 2023 shows the following as the most common assault locations:

• Residences/Homes: 439,000 incidents

• Roadways/Sidewalks: 174,000

• Parking Lots/Garages: 47,315

• Hotels/Motels: 12,513

• Other/Unknown: 23,551

The prevalence of domestic and public-space assaults underscores the need for greater community resources and safety infrastructure, from better-lit parking areas to more robust domestic violence interventions.

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Moving Forward

Experts emphasize that solutions must be multifaceted:

• Domestic violence prevention is critical, given the volume of assaults in homes.

• Community policing and public safety enhancements are needed for streets and sidewalks.

• Gun control measures must address the sheer number of firearm-involved assaults.

• Mental health resources and conflict resolution programs should be expanded nationwide.

“Assaults aren’t random—they reflect social conditions, personal struggles, and systemic gaps,” said one policy analyst. “By addressing these root causes, we can meaningfully reduce violent crime.”