Registries by State

As of August 2024, more than 795,000 people are listed on state sex offender registries across the United States. These registries are governed by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), which sets the minimum standards for registration and notification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and many federally recognized Indian tribes

. While SORNA covers both U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens, the vast majority of individuals on these registries are American citizens.

Below is a state-by-state breakdown of the total number of registered sex offenders as reported in August 2024. These numbers reflect the total on official state registries and, by SORNA’s standards, include those required to register due to conviction for qualifying sex offenses.

State	Total Registered Sex Offenders (Aug 2024)
Texas	75,710
California	60,615
New York	42,985
Michigan	40,391
Illinois	34,056
Oregon	33,421
Florida	32,460
Virginia	29,202
North Carolina	27,864
Wisconsin	26,972
Tennessee	26,749
Pennsylvania	23,648
Georgia	24,730
Ohio	21,315
Colorado	19,332
Arkansas	19,323
South Carolina	17,482
Minnesota	16,111
Alabama	9,630
Arizona	10,280
Indiana	13,482
Kentucky	7,893
Louisiana	12,882
Maryland	6,888
Massachusetts	5,444
Mississippi	7,365
Missouri	13,617
Nevada	7,446
New Jersey	4,645
Oklahoma	8,242
Washington	20,758
Iowa	6,235
Kansas	6,969
Nebraska	5,437
New Mexico	2,732
West Virginia	4,565
Connecticut	4,492
Delaware	4,239
Hawaii	3,007
Idaho	5,345
Maine	3,121
Montana	2,969
New Hampshire	2,591
North Dakota	2,131
Rhode Island	2,224
South Dakota	4,194
Utah	4,906
Vermont	1,200 (approximate)
Wyoming	2,430
District of Columbia	1,096

Total Nationwide: 795,066 (as of August 2024)

Notes:

• These figures are based on state registry data as of August 2024 and may include both adults and juveniles, depending on state law.
• Some states have broader definitions of registerable offenses, and registration periods vary widely.
• The overwhelming majority of registrants are U.S. citizens, as the registries are for offenses committed within U.S. jurisdictions

.

For the most current and detailed data, including county-level breakdowns, the National Sex Offender Public Website (nsopw.gov) is the official portal consolidating state, territory, and tribal registry information.

Additional Context

• SORNA requires registration for a comprehensive list of sex offenses, and each jurisdiction may include additional offenses or requirements

The total number of registered sex offenders has increased by about 8,000 from 2023 to 2024

• Variations in state totals reflect differences in population, legal definitions, and registration practices.

If you need a more granular (county-level) breakdown or historical trends, those details are typically available on individual state registry websites or through the National Sex Offender Public Website

Sources:

1. Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking

smart.ojp.gov/sorna/current-…

Current Law | Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring …

Find information on the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), legislation amending SORNA, information on applicability and offenses and more.

2. Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking

smart.ojp.gov/sorna

SORNA | Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring …

SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) is Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA), which authorized the SMART Office.

3. WorldAtlas

worldatlas.com/articles/state…

Number of Sex Offenders By State – WorldAtlas

When it comes to choosing where you want to live or raise your children, avoiding hot spots for sex offenses may be something worth considering. Taking a look at registered sex offenders by state in the United States, we see that California has the unfortunate claim of leading the way.

4. Federal Bureau of Investigation

fbi.gov/how-we-can-hel…

Sex Offender Registry Websites – FBI

The National Sex Offender Public Website lets you search the latest information for the identities and locations of known sex offenders.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_offender_registries_in_the_United_States