The murder rate significantly increased in the United States in 2020, particularly in major metropolitan areas, according to newly released crime data. Cities with a population of 1 million or more saw a 32.2 percent increase in homicides, according to figures released by the FBI that are drawn from local sources. Every area, including rural counties, saw jumps in homicides, but the biggest increases were in cities, especially in cities with 100,000 residents or more. The data confirms a report released last month showing homicide rates in a sample of 34 cities were 30 percent higher in 2020 than in 2019. Researchers said that sample suggested the national murder rate increase was likely to exceed the previous largest single-year increase of 13 percent in 1968. Experts believe the rise in killings can be linked to stressors introduced or exacerbated by situations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. “Homicides are linked to all …