Assault remains one of the most prevalent crimes in the United States, with over 3.25 million cases reported in 2023. But not all assaults are created equal. According to FBI definitions, simple assault involves minor injury or threat without a weapon, while aggravated assault often involves firearms, knives, or other dangerous instruments and carries a far greater risk of death or serious injury. This recent study from Farmer & Morris dives deeper into this pressing issue.

A Tale of Two Crimes

Of the 2023 total, 2,437,206 were simple assaults. These incidents, often involving shoves, slaps, or punches, may not always make headlines but still represent an enormous burden on communities and law enforcement.

The remaining 818,908 cases were aggravated assaults, many involving weapons. These are the incidents more likely to leave victims permanently injured, hospitalized, or worse.

Weapons Behind the Numbers

Weapon use in aggravated assaults reflects America’s broader violence problem. Handguns appeared in 165,261 incidents, while fists, hands, and feet accounted for nearly as many (161,409 cases). Knives and cutting tools ranked next, involved in 131,764 assaults. Firearms of unspecified type (103,799) and other improvised weapons (80,703) added to the total.

This shows that everyday altercations involving fists are almost as common as gun attacks, proving that both armed and unarmed violence must be tackled head-on.

Regional Divide

The South once again stands out as the nation’s most violent region, with 1.58 million assaults reported in 2023. That total is nearly double the Midwest (848,984) and triple the Northeast (528,043).

The West fared somewhat better (682,372) but still posted high totals, especially in states like California and Nevada. Experts note that poverty, access to firearms, and insufficient social support services all contribute to the South’s ongoing struggles with violent crime.

States Driving the Crisis

The top 10 states for assaults reflect a mix of population size and systemic issues:

• Texas – 436,908
• New York – 274,089
• California – 254,705
• Illinois – 181,315
• Michigan – 152,586
• Ohio – 147,859
• Tennessee – 139,418
• North Carolina – 138,504
• Georgia – 121,658
• Virginia – 106,764

These states, many in the South and Midwest, demonstrate the widespread nature of the problem.

Per Capita Hotspots

Looking at assaults per 100,000 residents reveals that the District of Columbia leads the nation with 3,405 incidents per 100,000 residents. Tennessee and Arkansas follow closely behind, along with Nevada, New Mexico, and South Carolina.

This per capita view highlights that even smaller states with lower populations can face outsized challenges.

Where Violence Erupts

Contrary to common belief, most assaults do not occur in shadowy corners of city streets. In fact, the majority happen inside homes and residences, which accounted for 439,000 incidents in 2023. Public roads and sidewalks were next (174,000 incidents), followed by parking lots and garages (47,315) and hotels/motels (12,513).

Domestic disputes, public altercations, and neighborhood conflicts represent the lion’s share of assaults, proving that violence is more personal than random.

The Path Forward

Experts argue that curbing assault rates will require a multi-pronged approach:

• Targeted policing in high-crime states and regions.
• Expanded mental health and domestic violence services.
• Stronger gun safety measures.
• Community-based conflict resolution programs.

“Behind every statistic is a victim and a family coping with trauma,” said a spokesperson. “Assault prevention must be as much about addressing root causes as it is about enforcing laws.”