Assault remains one of the most common violent offenses in the United States, with millions of cases recorded each year. In 2023, the FBI documented 2,437,206 simple assaults and 818,908 aggravated assaults, underscoring just how pervasive the problem has become.
While these categories fall under the same broad crime type, their severity differs greatly. Simple assault refers to altercations that involve no weapon and typically result in minor injury, such as shoving, slapping, or threatening physical harm. By contrast, aggravated assault involves attacks intended to inflict severe injury and often includes the use of dangerous weapons such as knives, handguns, or blunt objects. This study from Farmer & Morris dives deeper into this matter.
Weapons of Choice
Data from 2023 paints a worrying picture of the role weapons play in violent encounters. Handguns topped the list, appearing in 165,261 cases of aggravated assault, followed closely by weaponized body parts such as fists, hands, and feet (161,409 cases). Knives and cutting instruments were used in 131,764 assaults, and an additional 103,799 assaults involved firearms that weren’t specified by type. Improvised or “other” weapons, such as bats, bottles, or blunt household objects, accounted for 80,703 cases.
The data shows that while firearms remain a dominant factor, hand-to-hand violence is nearly as common, reminding policymakers that interventions must address both gun-related crime and unarmed interpersonal violence.
The South: A Region in Crisis
Regionally, the South accounts for the lion’s share of assaults nationwide. With 1,587,736 reported offenses, it nearly doubles the totals from the Midwest (848,984), triples those from the Northeast (528,043), and far outpaces the West (682,372).
This means the South alone was responsible for over 43% of all U.S. assaults in 2023. Experts point to factors like high population density, widespread firearm ownership, poverty rates, and under-resourced healthcare systems as contributors to this regional crisis.
By comparison, the Northeast, home to some of the nation’s largest cities, posted the lowest assault numbers. Analysts suggest stronger social services, stricter gun laws, and more comprehensive urban planning may play a role in curbing violence in that region.
State Standouts
At the state level, Texas leads the nation with 436,908 assaults, reflecting its vast population and sprawling metro regions. New York followed with 274,089 cases, while California reported 254,705.
Southern states also dominate the top 10, with Tennessee (139,418), North Carolina (138,504), Georgia (121,658), and Virginia (106,764) all appearing near the top. In the Midwest, Illinois (181,315), Michigan (152,586), and Ohio (147,859) added to the nation’s high totals.
Assault by Population
When adjusted for population, the District of Columbia tops the list with an astounding 3,405 assaults per 100,000 residents, nearly double that of Tennessee (1,951) and Arkansas (1,947). Nevada, New Mexico, and South Carolina also rank near the top.
These figures suggest that population-adjusted risk is not tied only to size. Smaller jurisdictions with fewer residents can still post disproportionately high rates if systemic issues, such as inequality, substance abuse, and access to weapons, are not addressed.
Where Assaults Happen
While many imagine assaults taking place in dark alleys, the data reveals otherwise. The most common location was the home, with 439,000 incidents in 2023. Streets and sidewalks accounted for 174,000 assaults, while parking lots and garages saw more than 47,000 cases. Hotels and motels reported 12,513 assaults, while 23,551 incidents fell into “other/unknown” categories.
This breakdown highlights the reality that domestic violence and everyday disputes account for much of America’s assault problem.
Addressing the Crisis
With more than 3.25 million assaults in 2023 alone, the United States faces an epidemic of violent altercations that cut across geography, race, and class. Experts stress the need for:
- Region-specific prevention strategies, particularly in the South.
- Improved community resources, especially in homes and neighborhoods.
- Stronger enforcement of gun laws, coupled with conflict-resolution training.
- Greater investment in mental health services to reduce impulsive, violent behavior.
