Boston's yearly homicide rate has increased, with some reports indicating a 30% rise from 24 to 31 killings, while others suggest a 36% increase. However, despite this uptick, city officials and some reports note that violence remains near historic lows, with homicide numbers reportedly at their lowest since the 1950s. The trend in Boston appears to be at odds with some national trends, which suggest that homicides and violent crimes have been falling in many US cities.