Nearly eight in 10 voters say they’re concerned about violent crime in the U.S., with 48% trusting Republicans to handle the issue—a nine-point advantage over Democrats—according to a Rasmussen Reports survey released Thursday. The poll reveals that 77% of likely voters are at least somewhat worried about violent crime, including 44% who are “very concerned.” Just 21% claim no worries. While this represents a slight decline from 85% in 2021, crime remains a top national concern for voters.
Overall, 48% of voters trust Republicans more on crime and law enforcement, compared to 39% who favor Democrats and 14% who are undecided. The GOP’s lead, Rasmussen noted, peaked in May 2024 at an 18-point margin (53% to 35%). Among those who describe themselves as very concerned about violent crime, 62% say they trust Republicans to address it better, highlighting the party’s stronger appeal among serious voters.
Majorities across all political groups express concern: 73% of Democrats and 79% of both Republicans and independents say they’re at least somewhat worried about violent crime. However, party trust diverges sharply:
– 83% of Republicans trust their own party more on crime.
– 72% of Democrats align with theirs.
– Among independents, 47% trust Republicans, 29% trust Democrats, and nearly a quarter are unsure.
The survey also underscores demographic divides. Men (53%) are more likely than women (43%) to trust the GOP on crime, though women express slightly higher concern. Voters in their 30s are the most concerned and most inclined to favor Republicans on the issue. By race, 49% of white voters, 50% of Hispanics, and 67% of other minority voters trust Republicans more, compared to 29% of Black voters.
Income levels also play a role: voters earning under $50,000 annually are the most concerned about violent crime, while those making over $200,000 are most likely to trust Democrats. Government employees (49%) lean more toward Democrats on the issue than private sector workers (41%) or retirees (37%). Ideologically, 59% of conservatives describe themselves as very concerned about violent crime, compared to 36% of moderates and 28% of liberals.
Among those who voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, 57% are very concerned about violent crime, versus 33% of Kamala Harris voters. The Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,139 likely U.S. voters was conducted Oct. 20-22, with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points and a 95% confidence level.
