Although the total population of Chicago declined during this period, the decline occurred only for whites. The white population decreased by a third between 1970 and 1980, while the Latin population increased by 70 percent and the black population by 9 percent. The change in the number of homicides involving Latins reflects more than the rapid increase in the Latin population: the number of Latin homicide victims increased even faster than the population, from about 4 a month in 1970 to about 14 a month in 1980. From 1975 to 1977, when homicides of black and white victims remained stable or decreased, homicides of black victims increased. Black homicides declined from 1975 through 1977, despite the continued increase of Chicago's black population. Further, homicides committed by blacks were less likely to be interracial than were homicides committed by whites or Latins; the most interracial homicides were robbery homicides attributed to Latins and assault homicides attributed to to Latins and assault homicides attributed to white multiple offenders. Whatever caused the rapid increase in Chicago homicides in the late 1960's affected homicides involving every race or ethnic group, despite differing population patterns. Additional studies that consider race/ethnicity, gender, and age should be undertaken. Three figures, 1 table, and 15 references are included.