During 1983, courts with juvenile jurisdiction disposed of an estimated 1,275,600 cases. This represents a 120-percent increase since 1957, although rates have remained relatively constant since the mid-1970's. Males were involved in 77 percent of these cases. While both male and female rates increased since 1957, the increase in the female rate was proportionally greater. Of the delinquent population, 63 percent lived in urban areas, 26 percent in semiurban areas, and 11 percent in rural areas. Urban cases and cases involving males were more likely to be handled formally (petitioned). In 1983, courts disposed an estimated 196,200 DN cases, the largest number yet. DN cases represented a relatively small proportion of the juvenile court cases, with only a 72-percent increase since 1957. Females were involved in slightly more DN cases than were males, and 71 percent of all cases were handled formally. Urban areas processed 65 percent of all DN cases; semiurban and rural areas handled 27 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Additional data, by State and County, are appended. 5 figures, 59 footnotes and 15 tables.