Offense rates are higher among central city youth than among youth in smaller communities and rural settings, higher among youth living in changing or unstable neighborhoods and communities than in more stable settings and higher for males than females, with the greatest disparities involving the most serious offenses. The gender difference was far greater in the past than it is now. Offense rates are higher for blacks than whites for offenses involving violence and major theft. Asian Americans have the lowest offense rates, and the rates for Hispanics fall between those for whites and blacks. Young adults and juveniles account for a disproportionate amount of crime, but offenses involving theft tend to peak in younger age groups than offenses involving interpersonal violence (rape, assault, and robbery). Offense rates for juveniles have been stable or declining in recent years, but self-report data suggest such a pattern for an earlier time period than do victimization or police data. 83 references and 15 figures