The murder rate among young Americans has declined to its lowest level in at least 30 years, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the years 1981-2010.

The homicide rate for people aged 10 to 24 was 7.5 per 100,000 in 2010, compared to 15.9 in 1993. In terms of actual numbers, about 4,800 young people under age 25 were murdered in 2010.

Teenagers and young adults are more likely to be killed than older adults, the CDC says, with homicide still being a leading cause of death for the young, behind automobile accidents.

Murders among young men, particularly black men, were much higher than the total rate of 7.5. In 2010, the homicide rate was 12.7 per 100,000 for males and 28.8 for blacks.

“The disparities by race are extraordinary, and they’re obscene,” Dr. Matthew Miller, an associate professor of health policy and management at the Harvard School of Public Health, told NPR.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Homicide Rates Among Persons Aged 10–24 Years — United States, 1981–2010 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

For Youths, Fewer Homicides But Still Many Deaths (by Nancy Shute, NPR)

Murder Drops out of Top 15 Causes of Death in U.S. for First Time Since 1965 (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)