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Crime, overdoses fall, homelessness rises in Hamilton County

Staff file photo  / The Hamilton County seal is seen in the County Commission assembly room at the County Courthouse. On Sept. 9, 2025, Hamilton County released new metrics in its midyear report.
Staff file photo / The Hamilton County seal is seen in the County Commission assembly room at the County Courthouse. On Sept. 9, 2025, Hamilton County released new metrics in its midyear report. Staff file photo / The Hamilton County seal is seen in the County Commission assembly room at the County Courthouse. On Sept. 9, 2025, Hamilton County released new metrics in its midyear report.

Crime in Hamilton County dropped 18% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year, according to the county’s midyear report.

The Hamilton Counted report, released this week, compiled data on crime, overdoses, victim services, homelessness and food assistance from Jan. 1 to June 30.

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CRIME

Murders dropped from 18 to 10 when comparing the first six months of 2024 to the same period in 2025, the report said. Violent crime dropped 37%, while the number of nonfatal shooting victims declined 44%. Aggravated assault is the main driver of violent crime, the report said, while theft from a vehicle is the primary factor behind property crime. Property crime has decreased three straight years.