Serial killers by state
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Serial Killers by State, 2020 Edition

serial killers by state, 2020 editionThe 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.

How many serial killers live near you? 2020 editionTo 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?

serial killers by state, 2020 editionWith 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!

 

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 4-8 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).

  • 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….
    sherry fundin recently posted…Little BunnyMy Profile

    • 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. 😉

    • 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.”

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.