NEW YORK, NY December 26, 2007 —Despite a half dozen homicides over the Christmas holiday, New York City is on track to having its lowest homicide rate since reliable statistics were kept in the early 1960s. WNYC's Bob Hennelly takes a closer look.

REPORTER: New York City's dip below 500 homicides is bucking a troubling national urban trend that shows homicides rates back up in several major US cities after years of decline. Commissioner Ray Kelly says despite the historical drop in New York's murder rate, the demographics of the victims has remained consistent for years.

KELLY: The universe of victims of murder are generally from 18 to 30 years of age. They are about 60 percent African-American, about 30 percent Hispanic.

REPORTER: Also this year, dozens of children and teens ages 10 to 17 were murdered. While the murder rate dropped overall, there was an increase in homicides in 22 of the city's 75 precincts.

The NYPD ultimately solves about 70 percent of recorded homicides. The national average is closer to 60 percent.

For WNYC, I'm Bob Hennelly.