Results indicate significant decreases in elderly victimization for homicide, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. A decline in rape was marginally significant, and declines in personal larceny, with and without contact, failed to reach significance. Victimization rates for all age groups declined over the study period, and the elderly experienced greater declines over time than did the general population. Crime involving a combination of personal contact and economic motivation declined faster than other crime committed against the elderly. Results mirror those of previous studies. While increased law enforcement and more emphasis on crime prevention may have contributed to these trends, it is possible that declines may be more attributable to changes in the demographic structure of the American population than to public policy. 1 table, 4 notes, and 55 references. (Author abstract modified)