Murders down (barely); Rate still high

"The District still has the largest share of area killings, with 194 slayings in 2005, close to 2004's total of 198. ...
In addition to having the highest number of killings, the District also tallied the highest homicide rate in the region: 35 per 100,000 residents. Across the country, cities similar to the District -- with populations of 500,000 to 1 million -- had an average homicide rate of 13.5 per 100,000 in 2004." D.C. Area Slayings Climbed In 2005