Prison Population By State

Prison Population (2022)
Recidivism Rate
Imprisonment Rate
Prison Population (2022)
1.TexasTexas139,319
2.CaliforniaCalifornia98,039
3.FloridaFlorida84,121
4.GeorgiaGeorgia47,997
5.OhioOhio44,732
6.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania39,286
7.ArizonaArizona33,584
8.MichiganMichigan32,227
9.New YorkNew York31,099
10.North CarolinaNorth Carolina30,264
11.IllinoisIllinois29,577
12.LouisianaLouisiana27,267
13.VirginiaVirginia27,052
14.AlabamaAlabama26,290
15.MissouriMissouri23,608
16.IndianaIndiana23,257
17.OklahomaOklahoma22,871
18.TennesseeTennessee22,370
19.WisconsinWisconsin21,152
20.KentuckyKentucky19,861
21.MississippiMississippi19,399
22.ArkansasArkansas17,432
23.ColoradoColorado16,743
24.MarylandMaryland15,317
25.South CarolinaSouth Carolina14,100
26.WashingtonWashington13,373
27.New JerseyNew Jersey12,932
28.OregonOregon12,276
29.NevadaNevada10,314
30.ConnecticutConnecticut10,088
31.IowaIowa9,345
32.IdahoIdaho9,138
33.KansasKansas8,430
34.MinnesotaMinnesota7,848
35.MassachusettsMassachusetts6,190
36.UtahUtah5,934
37.NebraskaNebraska5,557
38.New MexicoNew Mexico5,414
39.DelawareDelaware4,996
40.West VirginiaWest Virginia4,651
41.AlaskaAlaska4,587
42.MontanaMontana4,370
43.HawaiiHawaii4,191
44.South DakotaSouth Dakota3,401
45.Rhode IslandRhode Island2,315
46.WyomingWyoming2,262
47.New HampshireNew Hampshire2,051
48.North DakotaNorth Dakota1,767
49.MaineMaine1,652
50.VermontVermont1,360

A Deep Dive into America's Prison Population

Incarceration rates in the United States are a matter of national and global consideration. America holds the distinction of having the highest rate of imprisonment worldwide—a title further emphasized by the fact that despite reaching its lowest level in two decades, the U.S. still accounts for nearly a quarter of the global prison populace. The mass incarceration witnessed within the nation has birthed a multitude of issues, from overcrowded prisons with heightened health risks to significant financial strain on state coffers. For others, it is seen as a poignant civil rights concern, with particular impacts on poor people and minority communities.

  • With a prison population of 139,319, Texas has the highest number of incarcerated individuals. This is followed by California with 98,039 prisoners, and Florida, housing 84,121 individuals.
  • Despite having comparatively smaller population sizes, several states have notably high prison populations. For instance, Georgia, with a relatively smaller population compared to the bigger states, has 47,997 prisoners, ranking fourth on the list.
  • The states with the smallest prison populations in are primarily in regions with lower overall populations. Among them, Vermont has the least with 1,360 prisoners, followed by Maine with 1,652 and North Dakota with 1,767.

States with the Largest Prisoner Population

The state with the largest prison population in 2022 is Texas, accommodating a staggering 139,319 incarcerated individuals. This is followed by California, with its prisons harboring 98,039 inmates while Florida locks at the third place, with a prison population of 84,121. Not far behind, Georgia reports a total of 47,997 prisoners despite having a smaller populace as compared to the larger states. This alarming figure brings Georgia to the fourth spot in our list. Meanwhile, Ohio houses a significant number of imprisoned people as well, standing at 44,732. Pennsylvania finds itself next in our rankings, with 39,286 inmates accommodated in its prison system. Arizona and Michigan, despite their marginally smaller populations as compared to other states, report engaging prison population figures of 33,584 and 32,227 respectively. New York, known for its high population, reports a prison populace of 31,099, and North Carolina finishes our top 10 list with a figure of 30,264 prisoners. States with the Largest Prison Population:

  1. Texas: 139,319
  2. California: 98,039
  3. Florida: 84,121
  4. Georgia: 47,997
  5. Ohio: 44,732
  6. Pennsylvania: 39,286
  7. Arizona: 33,584
  8. Michigan: 32,227
  9. New York: 31,099
  10. North Carolina: 30,264

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

26,290

#14

Imprisonment Rate

521.64

#6

Alaska

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Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,587

#41

Imprisonment Rate

626.06

#2

Arizona

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Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

33,584

#7

Imprisonment Rate

461.55

#10

Arkansas

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Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

17,432

#22

Imprisonment Rate

576.09

#4

California

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California

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

98,039

#2

Imprisonment Rate

249.86

#37

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

16,743

#23

Imprisonment Rate

288.07

#29

Connecticut

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Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

10,088

#30

Imprisonment Rate

279.79

#33

Delaware

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Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,996

#39

Imprisonment Rate

497.92

#7

Florida

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Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

84,121

#3

Imprisonment Rate

386.21

#15

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

47,997

#4

Imprisonment Rate

444.43

#11

Hawaii

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Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,191

#43

Imprisonment Rate

290.73

#27

Idaho

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Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

9,138

#32

Imprisonment Rate

480.71

#8

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

29,577

#11

Imprisonment Rate

233.41

#39

Indiana

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Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

23,257

#16

Imprisonment Rate

341.71

#20

Iowa

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Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

9,345

#31

Imprisonment Rate

292.66

#26

Kansas

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Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

8,430

#33

Imprisonment Rate

287.26

#30

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

19,861

#20

Imprisonment Rate

440.44

#12

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

27,267

#12

Imprisonment Rate

589.68

#3

Maine

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Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

1,652

#49

Imprisonment Rate

120.39

#49

Maryland

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Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

15,317

#24

Imprisonment Rate

248.45

#38

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

6,190

#35

Imprisonment Rate

88.62

#50

Michigan

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Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

32,227

#8

Imprisonment Rate

320.64

#23

Minnesota

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Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

7,848

#34

Imprisonment Rate

137.51

#48

Mississippi

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Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

19,399

#21

Imprisonment Rate

657.60

#1

Missouri

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Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

23,608

#15

Imprisonment Rate

382.74

#16

Montana

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Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,370

#42

Imprisonment Rate

395.74

#13

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

5,557

#37

Imprisonment Rate

282.99

#32

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

10,314

#29

Imprisonment Rate

328.05

#21

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

2,051

#47

Imprisonment Rate

147.66

#46

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

12,932

#27

Imprisonment Rate

139.55

#47

New Mexico

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New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

5,414

#38

Imprisonment Rate

255.87

#36

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

31,099

#9

Imprisonment Rate

156.78

#45

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

30,264

#10

Imprisonment Rate

286.83

#31

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

1,767

#48

Imprisonment Rate

228.02

#40

Ohio

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Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

44,732

#5

Imprisonment Rate

379.73

#18

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

22,871

#17

Imprisonment Rate

573.69

#5

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

12,276

#28

Imprisonment Rate

289.11

#28

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

39,286

#6

Imprisonment Rate

303.04

#25

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

2,315

#45

Imprisonment Rate

211.30

#41

South Carolina

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South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

14,100

#25

Imprisonment Rate

271.64

#34

South Dakota

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South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

3,401

#44

Imprisonment Rate

379.84

#17

Tennessee

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Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

22,370

#18

Imprisonment Rate

320.71

#22

Texas

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Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

139,319

#1

Imprisonment Rate

471.82

#9

Utah

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Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

5,934

#36

Imprisonment Rate

177.77

#43

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

1,360

#50

Imprisonment Rate

210.67

#42

Virginia

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Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

27,052

#13

Imprisonment Rate

313.02

#24

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

13,373

#26

Imprisonment Rate

172.81

#44

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,651

#40

Imprisonment Rate

260.86

#35

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

21,152

#19

Imprisonment Rate

358.76

#19

Wyoming

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Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

2,262

#46

Imprisonment Rate

390.81

#14