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

See Less
Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

26,290

#14

Imprisonment Rate

521.64

#6

Alaska

See More
Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,587

#41

Imprisonment Rate

626.06

#2

Arizona

See More
Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

33,584

#7

Imprisonment Rate

461.55

#10

Arkansas

See More
Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

17,432

#22

Imprisonment Rate

576.09

#4

California

See More
California

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

98,039

#2

Imprisonment Rate

249.86

#37

Colorado

See More
Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

16,743

#23

Imprisonment Rate

288.07

#29

Connecticut

See More
Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

10,088

#30

Imprisonment Rate

279.79

#33

Delaware

See More
Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,996

#39

Imprisonment Rate

497.92

#7

Florida

See More
Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

84,121

#3

Imprisonment Rate

386.21

#15

Georgia

See More
Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

47,997

#4

Imprisonment Rate

444.43

#11

Hawaii

See More
Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,191

#43

Imprisonment Rate

290.73

#27

Idaho

See More
Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

9,138

#32

Imprisonment Rate

480.71

#8

Illinois

See More
Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

29,577

#11

Imprisonment Rate

233.41

#39

Indiana

See More
Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

23,257

#16

Imprisonment Rate

341.71

#20

Iowa

See More
Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

9,345

#31

Imprisonment Rate

292.66

#26

Kansas

See More
Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

8,430

#33

Imprisonment Rate

287.26

#30

Kentucky

See More
Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

19,861

#20

Imprisonment Rate

440.44

#12

Louisiana

See More
Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

27,267

#12

Imprisonment Rate

589.68

#3

Maine

See More
Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

1,652

#49

Imprisonment Rate

120.39

#49

Maryland

See More
Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

15,317

#24

Imprisonment Rate

248.45

#38

Massachusetts

See More
Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

6,190

#35

Imprisonment Rate

88.62

#50

Michigan

See More
Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

32,227

#8

Imprisonment Rate

320.64

#23

Minnesota

See More
Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

7,848

#34

Imprisonment Rate

137.51

#48

Mississippi

See More
Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

19,399

#21

Imprisonment Rate

657.60

#1

Missouri

See More
Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

23,608

#15

Imprisonment Rate

382.74

#16

Montana

See More
Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,370

#42

Imprisonment Rate

395.74

#13

Nebraska

See More
Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

5,557

#37

Imprisonment Rate

282.99

#32

Nevada

See More
Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

10,314

#29

Imprisonment Rate

328.05

#21

New Hampshire

See More
New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

2,051

#47

Imprisonment Rate

147.66

#46

New Jersey

See More
New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

12,932

#27

Imprisonment Rate

139.55

#47

New Mexico

See More
New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

5,414

#38

Imprisonment Rate

255.87

#36

New York

See More
New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

31,099

#9

Imprisonment Rate

156.78

#45

North Carolina

See More
North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

30,264

#10

Imprisonment Rate

286.83

#31

North Dakota

See More
North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

1,767

#48

Imprisonment Rate

228.02

#40

Ohio

See More
Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

44,732

#5

Imprisonment Rate

379.73

#18

Oklahoma

See More
Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

22,871

#17

Imprisonment Rate

573.69

#5

Oregon

See More
Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

12,276

#28

Imprisonment Rate

289.11

#28

Pennsylvania

See More
Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

39,286

#6

Imprisonment Rate

303.04

#25

Rhode Island

See More
Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

2,315

#45

Imprisonment Rate

211.30

#41

South Carolina

See More
South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

14,100

#25

Imprisonment Rate

271.64

#34

South Dakota

See More
South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

3,401

#44

Imprisonment Rate

379.84

#17

Tennessee

See More
Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

22,370

#18

Imprisonment Rate

320.71

#22

Texas

See More
Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

139,319

#1

Imprisonment Rate

471.82

#9

Utah

See More
Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

5,934

#36

Imprisonment Rate

177.77

#43

Vermont

See More
Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

1,360

#50

Imprisonment Rate

210.67

#42

Virginia

See More
Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

27,052

#13

Imprisonment Rate

313.02

#24

Washington

See More
Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

13,373

#26

Imprisonment Rate

172.81

#44

West Virginia

See More
West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

4,651

#40

Imprisonment Rate

260.86

#35

Wisconsin

See More
Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

21,152

#19

Imprisonment Rate

358.76

#19

Wyoming

See More
Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Prison Population (2022)

2,262

#46

Imprisonment Rate

390.81

#14

Table

Region ↕Prison Population (2022) ↕Recidivism Rate ↕Imprisonment Rate ↕
Alabama iconAlabama26,29031.5%521.64
Alaska iconAlaska4,58763.2%626.06
Arizona iconArizona33,58439.8%461.55
Arkansas iconArkansas17,43257%576.09
California iconCalifornia98,039249.86
Colorado iconColorado16,74350%288.07
Connecticut iconConnecticut10,08837%279.79
Delaware iconDelaware4,99664.5%497.92
Florida iconFlorida84,12124.5%386.21
Georgia iconGeorgia47,997444.43
Hawaii iconHawaii4,191290.73
Idaho iconIdaho9,13831%480.71
Illinois iconIllinois29,57739.9%233.41
Indiana iconIndiana23,25734%341.71
Iowa iconIowa9,34534.2%292.66
Kansas iconKansas8,43036%287.26
Kentucky iconKentucky19,86146.4%440.44
Louisiana iconLouisiana27,26732%589.68
Maine iconMaine1,65231%120.39
Maryland iconMaryland15,31740.5%248.45
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts6,19032%88.62
Michigan iconMichigan32,22728%320.64
Minnesota iconMinnesota7,84825%137.51
Mississippi iconMississippi19,39933%657.60
Missouri iconMissouri23,60843%382.74
Montana iconMontana4,37042.2%395.74
Nebraska iconNebraska5,55725.5%282.99
Nevada iconNevada10,31428.6%328.05
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire2,05145%147.66
New Jersey iconNew Jersey12,93230%139.55
New Mexico iconNew Mexico5,41449.1%255.87
New York iconNew York31,09943%156.78
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina30,26435.8%286.83
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota1,76746%228.02
Ohio iconOhio44,73230.7%379.73
Oklahoma iconOklahoma22,87125%573.69
Oregon iconOregon12,276289.11
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania39,28646%303.04
Rhode Island iconRhode Island2,31550%211.30
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina14,10024.5%271.64
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota3,40140%379.84
Tennessee iconTennessee22,370320.71
Texas iconTexas139,319471.82
Utah iconUtah5,934177.77
Vermont iconVermont1,36045%210.67
Virginia iconVirginia27,05223.4%313.02
Washington iconWashington13,37332%172.81
West Virginia iconWest Virginia4,65124%260.86
Wisconsin iconWisconsin21,15238%358.76
Wyoming iconWyoming2,26228%390.81
Keep reading

Additional Crime Datasets

Rape Statistics By Country
Crime
World

Rape Statistics By Country

Rape Statistics By State
Crime
U.S.

Rape Statistics By State

Recidivism Rates By State
Crime
U.S.

Recidivism Rates By State

Safest Countries In Europe
Crime
Europe

Safest Countries In Europe

Safest Countries In South America
Crime
South America

Safest Countries In South America

Safest Countries in the World
Crime
World

Safest Countries in the World