In this survey, a "household" refers both to a dwelling and to the people who live in it. A household is counted as having experienced a crime during the year if it fell victim to a burglary, motor vehicle theft, or household theft; a household member age 12 or older was raped, robbed, or assaulted; or a household member age 12 or older experienced a personal theft. Nearly 23 million American households, or 24 percent, were victimized by crime in 1991, the same proportion as in 1990. This percentage continues to be the lowest recorded since 1975, the first year of the National Crime Victimization Survey. Five percent of households had at least one member who was the victim of a violent crime. Black households were more likely to experience a crime than were white households. Thirty percent of Hispanic households, but only 23 percent of non- Hispanic households were victimized at least once in 1991. The likelihood of a personal theft victimization increased as household income increased. Households in urban areas were the most likely to be victimized, and households in rural areas were the least likely to experience a crime. 5 tables and 3 figures