Serial Killers by State, 2020 Edition
The general public believes they could spot a multiple murderer on sight, but that’s a dangerous misconception. Male and female serial killers walk among us. One look at serial killers by state tells us that. They shop at our grocery stores, attend our churches/synagogues, and mingle with neighbors, co-workers, and friends — and all without raising suspicions. They’ve mastered the art of deflection. Human nature fools us into thinking others who behave like us are like us.
Social media claims you and I will walk past 36 murderers in our lifetime. Some researchers claim the number is closer to sixteen. To find the truth, and focus in on serial killers in particular, I spent hours researching this question. Curious minds want to know!
Most researchers collect data on male serial killers, with an occasional Wuornos-esque female thrown in for good measure. Not only does this skew the serial killer by state data, but it’s naïve, sexist, and shows a gender bias. We can’t protect ourselves if we don’t know who might be living next door, so I continued to dig.
For months I’ve been researching a lone female serial killer for a new true crime book (currently on submission). More often than not I come across inaccurate information about female serial killers. For some reason the general public has a difficult time reconciling the fact that women are capable of committing brutal, torturous murders on par with their male counterparts. Why, I have no idea. Anyone who thinks women don’t possess a vicious streak hasn’t ruffled enough female feathers. 😉
But I digress.
To determine the total number of serial killers you and I walk past during our lifetime, we need to first look at statistics.
Aside from lifestyle, a determining factor will be where you live. The best way to predict the future is by studying the past. So, let’s look at the number of serial killers by state, per capita, as of 2020. If we compare the following numbers to the top 10 most dangerous states from my 2017 post, Serial Killers by State: How Many Live Near You?, there’s a marked increase of serial killings.
Serial Killers by State (2020)
California 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 1507 1628
Population: 39,562,900
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 4.11
Texas 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 793 893
2020 Population: 29,363,100
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.04
Florida 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 778 845
2020 population: 21,711,200
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.89
Illinois 2020
Number of serial killings: 629
2020 population: 12,620,600
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 4.98
New York 2020
Number of serial killings: 628
2020 population: 19,376,800
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.24
Ohio 2020
Number of serial killings: 433
2020 population: 11,701,900
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.70
Pennsylvania 2020
Number of serial killings: 420
2020 population: 12,803,100
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.28
Washington 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 277 390
2020 population: 7,705,920
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 5.06
Michigan 2020
Number of serial killings: 381
2020 population: 9,989,640
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.81
Georgia 2020
Number of serial killings: 365
2020 population: 10,723,700
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.40
Indiana 2020
Number of serial killings: 341
2020 population: 6,768,940
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 5.04
Missouri 2020
Number of serial killings: 311
2020 population: 6,153,230
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 5.05
Louisiana 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 276 300
2020 population: 4,637,900
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 6.47
North Carolina 2020
Number of serial killings: 266
2020 population: 10,594,600
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.51
Virginia 2020
Number of serial killings: 238
2020 population: 8,569,750
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.78
New Jersey 2020
Number of serial killings: 207
2020 population: 8,878,360
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.33
Oklahoma 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 174 195
2020 population: 3,973,710
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 4.91
Massachusetts 2020
Number of serial killings: 195
2020 population: 6,902,370
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.83
Maryland 2020
Number of serial killings: 185
2020 population: 6,055,560
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.06
Tennessee 2020
Number of serial killings: 179
2020 population: 6,886,720
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.60
Oregon 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 162 170
2020 population: 4,253,590
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 4.00
Alabama 2020
Number of serial killings: 164
2020 population: 4,918,690
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.33
South Carolina 2020
Number of serial killings: 162
2020 population: 5,213,270
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.11
Arizona 2020
Number of serial killings: 156
2020 population: 7,399,410
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.11
Colorado 2020
Number of serial killings: 155
2020 population: 5,826,180
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.66
Kansas 2020
Number of serial killings: 153
2020 population: 2,915,270
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 5.25
Kentucky 2020
Number of serial killings: 134
2020 population: 4,474,190
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.99
Connecticut 2020
Number of serial killings: 122
2020 population: 3,559,050
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.43
Wisconsin 2020
Number of serial killings: 118
2020 population: 5,837,460
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.02
Nevada 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 98 105
2020 population: 3,132,970
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.35
Arkansas 2020
Number of serial killings: 103
2020 population: 3,025,880
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.40
Utah 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 78 78
2020 population: 3,258,370
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.36
Nebraska 2020
Number of serial killings: 76
2020 population: 1,943,200
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.91
Mississippi 2020
Number of serial killings: 75
2020 population: 2,971,280
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.52
Minnesota 2020
Number of serial killings: 68
2020 population: 5,673,020
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 1.20
New Mexico 2020
Number of serial killings: 64
2020 population: 2,100,920
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.05
Iowa 2020
Number of serial killings: 53
2020 population: 3,161,520
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 1.68
Alaska 2017 2020
Number of serial killings: 51 51
2020 population: 727,951
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 7.01 — Still the highest per capita!
Montana 2020
Number of serial killings: 41
2020 population: 1,076,890
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 3.81
West Virginia 2020
Number of serial killings: 37
2020 population: 1,780,000
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.08
Idaho 2020
Number of serial killings: 37
2020 population: 1,823,590
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.03
Maine 2020
Number of serial killings: 30
2020 population: 1,349,370
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.22
Wyoming 2020
Number of serial killings: 27
2020 population: 579,917
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 4.66
Rhode Island 2020
Number of serial killings: 25
2020 population: 1,060,440
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 2.36
Delaware 2020
Number of serial killings: 14
2020 population: 982,049
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 1.43
Vermont 2020
Number of serial killings: 11
2020 population: 623,620
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 1.76
North Dakota 2020
Number of serial killings: 11
2020 population: 766,044
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 1.44
New Hampshire 2020
Number of serial killings: 10
2020 population: 1,365,960
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 0.73
Hawaii 2020
Number of serial killings: 10
2020 population: 1,411,150
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 0.71
South Dakota 2020
Number of serial killings: 7
2020 population: 890,620
Serial killings per 100,000 people: 0.79
Why the jump in serial killings?
With the advancements of forensic science and other crime-fighting tools, the increase doesn’t make sense.
Take California, for example. Are we to believe 121 Californians lost their lives by the hand of a serial killer within the last three years and the news outlets didn’t pummel us with details?
Highly unlikely.
The more logical conclusion is either a) the FBI is now including the victims of lesser-known female serial killers in their statistics, as they should, or b) they’ve become more proficient at identifying clusters.
Let’s take the first scenario.
A quick look at Murderpedia shows 88 victims of female murderers who killed at least two people from 1912-2019. Though that number should be much higher, it’s a reasonable jumping off point.
121 (alleged new CA victims: 2017-2020)
– 88 (victims of female serial killers)
33 (new serial killings)
If we divide the total number of new serial killings into three years (2017-2020) …
33 (new serial killings)
÷ 3
11 (new serial killings per year)
With a population of 39,562,900 in California, perhaps the 11 murders didn’t provide enough incentive to spotlight the crimes prior to the apprehension of the killer or killers. Or maybe, the local news reported on the murders, but the individual stories didn’t gain enough traction to get picked up by national outlets.
Or, as I posited in scenario #2, the FBI has improved at identifying clusters. In which case, the total number of new serial killings would be much lower. Either way, a slight increase in the serial killers by state data makes sense.
How many serial killers will you walk past in your lifetime?
I still can’t answer this question with any certainty. Technically, it’s a trick question. To even guesstimate would depend on various factors.
See why you should never believe what you read on social media? To make a blanket statement — you will walk past 36 murderers in your lifetime — is grossly inaccurate.
Yes, if you engage in high-risk behavior like prostitution and/or drug abuse, then you may cross paths with a serial killer or two. But for the vast majority of us, we might never walk past a serial killer.
Unless, of course, you live or work in a high crime area. In which case, you may want to also read How to Escape Your Grave.
Stay safe out there!
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Sue Coletta
Sue Coletta is an award-winning crime writer and an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Feedspot and Expertido.org named her Murder Blog as “Best 100 Crime Blogs on the Net.” She also blogs on the Kill Zone (Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers"), Writers Helping Writers, and StoryEmpire. Sue lives with her husband in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Her backlist includes psychological thrillers, the Mayhem Series (books 1-3) and Grafton County Series, and true crime/narrative nonfiction. Now, she exclusively writes eco-thrillers, Mayhem Series (books 4-9 and continuing). Sue's appeared on the Emmy award-winning true crime series, Storm of Suspicion, and three episodes of A Time to Kill on Investigation Discovery. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her murder of crows, who live free but come when called by name. And nature feeds her soul.
25 Comments
Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Based on these figures, Sue, I think you as an American will walk past more serial killers than I will but I will walk past more murderers and rapists (I live in South Africa and we have an average of 50 murders a day here).
Sue Coletta
That’s a comforting thought, Roberta. LOL
Nicholas Rossis
As a young Navy MP, I was there when they arrested one of my crewmates who had ritualistically raped and murdered two women. So yes, I agree with you that it’s pretty hard to tell killers apart from normal folk. He was an intense but intelligent individual whose smarts made him stand apart from the crowd. I didn’t hang out with him, though, because I was put off by his total cynicism.
You should share your stats on Wikipedia! Amazing research, thanks for compiling it.
Sue Coletta
Wow, what a story, Nicholas. You just never know what type of evil is bubbling below the surface in some people.
Thank you! Gee, I never considered sharing on Wikipedia. Great idea!
sherry fundin
i have no problem figuring i walk by serial killers, maybe they even live next door. now that’s a frightening thought, seeing i read a lot of books, true and fiction about them. just hope i don’t get on their radar. i figured florida would have a few. i’m sure they enjoy the weather….
looking forward to reading the new book….
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Sue Coletta
That’s so bizarre. I responded to your question two days ago, but it’s not showing. Sorry about that, Sherry.
Haha! Maybe the Florida heat and humidity makes them snap. 😉
Staci Troilo
Now I’m wondering how many I’ve walked past and how many I’ve yet to pass by. Fascinating stuff, Sue.
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Sue Coletta
Thanks, Staci. It’s a frightening thought. We have one thing going for us, though. We’re past the optimal age of 30. 😉
CS Boyack
Always interesting stuff. I wonder if what they qualify with has changed, too. Does a drive by shooting qualify someone if there is more than one victim. To me that isn’t a serial killer, but they may have updated the rules.
Sue Coletta
The qualifier has changed, but a drive-by shooter still wouldn’t fall into the serial killer category. The FBI classification: “a series of two or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not always, by one offender acting alone.”
CS Boyack
Got it, thanks.
Gwen M Plano
My goodness, I’ve never looked into serial killer stats. Thank you, Sue. If nothing else, the state by state rates are fascinating.
Sue Coletta
Thanks, Gwen. I find serial killer stats fascinating, too. My 2017 post remains my most popular post to date, so I thought an update would be fun (and informative).
Mae Clair
Nice to see Maine and Delaware fairly low on the list—two places I’ve considered moving to. And lucky you with New Hampshire.
Most interest stats, Sue. And I had no idea your second book was in submission already. You must have written like a speed demon. Wishing you all the best with it. Keep us posted!
Sue Coletta
Thanks, Mae! Though I’d love for you to think I was a writing machine, sadly, I’m not. Since it’s nonfiction I only had write a book proposal and sample chapters. 😉
I would love for you to move to Maine! Depending on where, it wouldn’t be that long of a drive to meet for lunch.
Mae Clair
Ooo, how cool would that be? Now if I can just adjust to handling the Maine winters, LOL.
And either way on the book submission, that’s still phenomenal. I can’t imagine it won’t get snatched up!
Sue Coletta
*fingers crossed*
Garry Rodgers
Fascinating stats, Sue. Any idea why Alaska is so disproportionately high? Same with Washington State? Like, I’m stuck right between these two misfits.
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Sue Coletta
Thanks, Garry! I would guess it’s because of Alaska’s wilderness. The landscape provides plenty of places to hide out. Plus, most of Alaska is made up of transplants — folks who are seeking a fresh start.
As for Washington, the numbers fluctuate within the state. High crime areas have a greater number of serial killings.
Priscilla Bettis
Poor Kermit.:-) Interesting and hair-raising stats! Good luck with your book out on submission!
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Sue Coletta
Haha. I love torturing Kermit. Hey, he should’ve never cheated on Miss Piggy!
Thank you, Priscilla. *fingers crossed*
Margot Kinberg
This is absolutely fascinating, Sue! As I look at the data, it strikes me that you’re probably right about the FBI and other law enforcement agencies getting better at identifying clusters of serial killings, and at communicating with each other to put the pieces of a puzzle together. The more crimes that are identified, the higher the number of crimes looks to be.
Oh, and you know, I noticed how low NH’s serial-killer rate is. They’re on to you, Sue! They know that you know… 😉
Sue Coletta
Hahahaha. If they aren’t on to me by now, they’re not paying attention. 😉
You make a great point, Margot. The more we know, the worst the statistics appear.
Marcia Meara
Mind-boggling, Sue! I’m going to have to read this in closer detail later, but I can see that Florida’s numbers are pretty high. Oh, the creepy research you do, girlfriend! 😯 Fascinating, but thoroughly spooky, stuff! 🙂
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Sue Coletta
I thought of you while researching Florida, Marcia.
Hahaha! The creepier the better. 😉