The thought that a sex predator might be living close to you is bone-chilling. That is why apart from knowing how many registered sex offenders in America, you may be willing to be aware of who is living close to you.
In the US, a sex offender is someone who has conducted serious sexual misconduct—rape, child sexual abuse, and incest. The sex offender official listing also includes those who have committed less serious acts—“sexting” (sending pornography, obscene SMS messages, and other illicit media), molestation, urinating in public, and performing sexual acts in public places.
In this article, you’ll learn how many sex offenders live in the US. You’ll also get answers to other important questions. Let’s dive into the facts and figures.
How many registered sex offenders live in the United States?
Since 2013, Nannostomus has been collecting data on sex offenders across all 50 states and territories in the USA. Our dataset is comprehensive, and you can download free samples to see the details for yourself. We’ve analyzed this data to provide you with crucial information about sex offenders in the country.
Keep in mind, these numbers aren’t static as new individuals are added and removed from registries. That is why we update the dataset monthly to let you know for sure how many sex offenders nationwide.
Below, we answer the common questions about sexual perpetrators in the USA.
How many sex offenders live in the USA?
As of March 2025, 654,448 people are listed in our sex offender registry. Many of these offenders have committed more crimes than they were officially charged with. Additionally, 63% of child sexual assaults go unreported to the police, and the rate of false reporting in the USA is between 2% and 10%. Therefore, the actual number of sex offenders is significantly higher.
What percentage of the population are sex offenders?
The official estimated resident population in the USA is 334,914,895 (as of July 2023), then how many sex offenders in the United States percent? Sexual perpetrators make up around 0,002% of the total American population. Given the underreporting of sexual crimes, the actual percentage could be higher.
How many sex offenders are per mile in the US?
With 654,448 registered sex delinquents spread across the United States, it translates to about 0.21 sex offender per square mile. This is an average figure and varies greatly depending on the state and local population density.
How many levels of sex offenders are there?
There are three levels of sexual perpetrators. They are classified based on the severity of their crimes and their likelihood to re-offend.
The numbers show that Level 3 offenders—those considered the most dangerous—make up the largest group, with more than 47% of all cases. These are individuals flagged for high risk of repeat offenses. Many have committed multiple crimes, used violence or coercion, or targeted vulnerable victims. In short, they require close monitoring—and the public has a right to know when they’re nearby.
Level 2 offenders, classified as moderate risk, represent about 39% of the registry. While they might not carry the same immediate threat as Level 3, their offenses are still serious. Many have complex patterns of behavior that warrant long-term tracking.
At the low end, only 14% are categorized as Level 1, meaning their risk of reoffending is considered minimal. These individuals may have committed less aggressive acts or shown signs of rehabilitation—but they’re still on the list for a reason.
How many perpetrators are there based on sexual predators characteristics?
There is no such thing as a common “sex offender profile.” That’s because sex convicts are a diverse and heterogeneous population.
Offenders can be family members—parents, siblings, or cousins. Or family friends, neighbors, babysitters, or older peers. Some perpetrators were sexually abused as children, while others were not. Some may struggle to function sexually with adult partners and prey on children, while others have sexual relationships with adults too.
Still, registries list criminal of sexual harassment with demographic data, which we translated into statistics.
What is the most common race for sex offenders?
The majority of registered sex offenders are White—they make up nearly 40% of all cases. Hispanic or Latino offenders account for over 18%, followed closely by African American individuals at 16.75%. Smaller percentages are seen among Asian offenders (1.79%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (0.18%), and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals (0.09%). Another 0.5% are listed as “Other.” Notably, a large portion—more than 22%—are marked as Unknown, which shows a gap in the data that limits deeper demographic analysis and suggests inconsistent or incomplete reporting across systems.
How many female sex offenders are there in America?
Out of all registered sex offenders in the United States, approximately 34,890 are female, accounting for just 4.2% of the total. While the vast majority of offenders are men, the question of how many women are sex offenders USA reveals that female offenders, though far fewer in number, still represent a real and trackable portion of the registry. These cases often receive less public attention, but they are part of the national data and should be acknowledged in discussions around prevention, education, and public safety.
How many male sex offenders in the US?
Males are much more likely to commit sex offenses in the United States. They are responsible for about 96% of reported sex crimes. So, there is the significant gender disparity in sex offense convictions, with men being the predominant offenders compared to women.
How many children are on the sex offender registry?
According to the available data, there are 1,896 children aged 12 or younger and 8,951 teens aged 13 to 17 listed on the sex offender registry in the United States. Combined, that means 10,847 individuals under the age of 18 are currently registered—that’s 1.22% of the whole database. So, if you’re asking how many children are on the sex offender registry, the answer is just over ten thousand. While this is a small percentage of the total registry, it raises important questions about juvenile justice policies and how minors end up on these lifelong lists.
How many sex offenders are relatives or friends?
In 80% of cases (relevant for kid abuse), the victim knows their sex offender. Only 19% of rapes and sexual abuses are committed by strangers. In 6% of cases, multiple offenders are involved. Around 33% of abusers are current or former intimate partners, while 39% of rapes are carried out by acquaintances. For male victims, close relatives are twice as likely to be perpetrators compared to female victims.
How many registered sex offenders live in my neighborhood?
By law, those who have been convicted of sex crimes must register in the county where they reside. So, if you’re concerned about your safety, there are numerous websites that tell you how many sex offenders in your neighborhood. Some of them are official sources, while others aggregate data from public registries and provide access to a unified database.
So, what is a good site to check out how many sex offenders are in your area?
- State’s official registries
- Local sheriff’s and police departments’ websites
- NSOPW registry
In addition, Nannostomus is working on the release of the solution, which will allow you to check how many sex offenders live around me directly on our website.
How many registered sex offenders by state?
This table illustrates the number of predators in each state as of March 2025.
How many registered sex offenders in my zip code?
You can check it using Sex Offender Registry Search available through public safety websites or specialized platforms.
When looking at the big picture, some states stand out due to the high number of registered offenders. Texas has the largest number, with over 69,000 individuals on the registry. California follows closely with 67,827, and Michigan comes next with 40,560. These states have large populations, but the high numbers also reflect the scale of registry and monitoring operations.
At the other end of the spectrum, smaller territories and rural areas have far fewer offenders. American Samoa has only 60 registered sex offenders, followed by the Northern Mariana Islands (99) and Menominee County, Wisconsin (41). If you wonder how to find list of local sex offenders, get in touch with us—we have both nationwide and local databases.
How many states use sex offender registries?
All 50 states and the District of Columbia maintain public sex offender registries accessible through their websites. However, some registered offenders are only visible to law enforcement.
How many states have sex offender residency restrictions?
Around 30 states have implemented statewide residency restrictions that prevent registrants from living within specified distances of schools, parks, daycare centers, school bus stops, or other areas where children gather. Additionally, some local governments have set their own boundaries. Courts have generally upheld the constitutionality of these laws.
How many sex offenders are there in the USA based on their statuses?
The statuses of sex offenders tell us about their current situations and legal requirements. Sexual abusers might be incarcerated, on probation, or under community supervision. Some have finished their sentences but still stay on the registry, while others are non-compliant or missing.
Let’s look at the numbers and categories of sex offenders based on their current legal and supervision status.
How many sex offenders are locked up and how many are realeased?
Over 70% of sex offenders are no longer in custody and are living in communities across the country. This includes 34.4% who are active in the community, 20.8% who are compliant, and 11.99% who have been released but are still subject to registration requirements. Others are listed as registered (9.42%), supervised (3.44%), or in various post-release statuses. 11.5% are currently serving their sentence.
How many sex offenders are incarcerated in the United States?
According to our data, 11.5% of sex offenders are currently incarcerated—they’re behind bars either serving a sentence or awaiting trial.
How many sex offenders have been set free?
over 70% of sex offenders have been set free and are no longer in custody. This includes those marked as active (34.4%), compliant (20.78%), released but still required to register (11.99%), registered (9.42%), supervised (3.44%), and other post-release categories. These individuals are living in communities.
How many sex offenders are noncompliant?
1.45% of sex offenders are noncompliant, which means they’ve failed to meet registration requirements—such as updating their address or checking in as required. That equals 3,632 individuals who are currently not following the law.
How many sex offenders are wrongly convicted?
Around 26% of sexual assault convictions are believed to be wrongful, including 11% of those convicted of child sex abuse. Various studies provide additional insights: one study across eight U.S. communities found a 7.1% rate of false reports, another in Boston reported a 5.9% rate, and a third study examining 812 cases found a 2.1% rate of false reports.
How many convicted sex offenders reoffend?
Studies commonly find sexual recidivism rates to be 10%-15% after five years, 20% after ten years, and 30%-40% after twenty years. However, assessing how many sex offenders repeat their crimes is challenging due to hidden sex crimes, underreporting to the police, and varying recidivism rates.
How many sex offenders have been deported?
Around 0.41% of sex offenders have been deported. In terms of numbers, that’s 1,032 individuals removed from the United States.
How many sex offenders are in for rape?
9% of registered sex offenders are in for sexual assault, which includes rape. While our dataset doesn’t label it explicitly as “rape,” sexual assault is the closest category representing that offense.
Compared to other crimes, sexual assault ranks fourth in frequency. The top three offenses involve children:
- Indecency with a child by contact (22%)
- Aggravated sexual assault of a child (17%)
- Sexual assault of a child (13%)
In total, child-related offenses make up the majority. Possession of child pornography (7%) and online solicitation of minors (1%) also show up, but at lower rates.
So, how many people are on the sex offender registry?
Knowing the numbers and demographics of registered sex offenders in the USA is essential for keeping our communities safe. Many offenders are released and monitored, while a smaller number remain incarcerated. So, with the diverse backgrounds and statuses of these offenders, it’s important to stay informed about who lives in your area.
If you’re thinking, “I want a list of sex offenders in my neighborhood,” our comprehensive dataset will provide you with the information you need to stay vigilant and protect your loved ones. Contact us to discuss cooperation options.
