As of 2004, crimes reported to Illinois law enforcement agencies had declined for 11 consecutive years. Total index offenses decreased 26 percent over these years, from 659,325 to 484,825. A decrease in the number of violent offenses accounted for much of this decline, showing a 41-percent drop; the number of property offenses were down 23 percent. The greatest decrease among index crimes was in robbery and aggravated assault, at 42 percent each. The number of burglaries fell 29 percent; and theft, the most frequently reported property offense, declined 20 percent. Among property index offenses, motor vehicle theft showed the greatest decrease at 35 percent. The number of arsons dropped 31 percent. Although Illinois' population increased 7 percent between 1995 and 2004, the violent-offense rate decreased annually from 1,008 offenses for every 100,000 people in 1995 to 558 offenses for every 100,000 people in 2004. Based on estimated violent-crime rates among the 10 most populated States in the country, the Illinois average was second only to Florida between 1994 and 2002. In 2003, the Illinois violent-crime rate dropped to third behind California and Florida. Nationally, the violent-offense rate decreased 33 percent between 1994 and 2003. Property offense rates also continued to decline nationally between 1994 and 2003. 2 figures and 1 table