GITNUXREPORT 2026

Gang Statistics

Gangs are a widespread and complex problem across the United States.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2021, gangs committed 13% of all US homicides, according to FBI UCR data.

Statistic 2

National Gang Center 2019 analysis linked gangs to 48% of violent crimes in surveyed cities.

Statistic 3

MS-13 was responsible for 92% of gang-related murders in Long Island, NY from 2016-2018 per DOJ.

Statistic 4

A 2020 CDC study found gang members 50 times more likely to carry firearms than non-gang youth.

Statistic 5

FBI NIBRS 2022 data showed gangs involved in 20% of aggravated assaults nationwide.

Statistic 6

In Chicago, gangs accounted for 80% of homicides in 2021, per CPD stats.

Statistic 7

National Gang Center 2018 survey reported drug trafficking as primary activity for 86% of gangs.

Statistic 8

A 2017 NIJ study found 65% of gang homicides stem from inter-gang rivalries.

Statistic 9

ATF 2021 trace data indicated 25% of crime guns recovered from gang members.

Statistic 10

Gangs facilitate 30% of US heroin distribution, per DEA 2022 National Drug Threat Assessment.

Statistic 11

Vice operations by gangs yield $500 million annually in major cities, FBI estimate 2019.

Statistic 12

Identity theft rings run by gangs stole $100 million in 2020, Secret Service report.

Statistic 13

Carjacking by gangs rose 40% in 2022 in 10 major cities, per Major Cities Chiefs Assoc.

Statistic 14

Extortion rackets by gangs affect 15% of businesses in gang-heavy neighborhoods, Urban Inst 2021.

Statistic 15

Cybercrime involvement by gangs increased 25% from 2019-2022, FBI IC3 report.

Statistic 16

Human smuggling by transnational gangs generated $13 billion in 2021, DHS estimate.

Statistic 17

Robbery crews affiliated with gangs committed 18% of urban robberies in 2020, BJS data.

Statistic 18

Money laundering through gang fronts laundered $2.5 billion in 2022, FinCEN.

Statistic 19

Gang violence costs US $15 billion annually in medical, justice, and lost productivity, per 2019 Urban Institute.

Statistic 20

Gang homicides lead to 2,000 excess deaths yearly, costing $10 billion in lifetime earnings, CDC 2021.

Statistic 21

Communities with high gang activity see 25% higher property crime rates, RAND 2018.

Statistic 22

Gang-related incarceration costs states $5 billion yearly, Vera Institute 2020.

Statistic 23

Youth gang involvement correlates with 40% higher dropout rates, costing $1.2 billion in lost wages, OJJDP 2017.

Statistic 24

Gang turf wars displace 100,000 residents annually in US cities, HUD 2022.

Statistic 25

Mental health costs from gang trauma exceed $2 billion yearly, SAMHSA 2021.

Statistic 26

Gangs contribute to 15% of foster care entries due to parental involvement, HHS 2020.

Statistic 27

Insurance premiums rise 20% in gang-heavy zip codes, III 2019.

Statistic 28

Gang drug markets inflate healthcare costs by $3 billion from overdoses, CDC 2022.

Statistic 29

Businesses in gang areas lose $500 million yearly to protection rackets, Chamber of Commerce 2021.

Statistic 30

Gang violence reduces property values by 10-15% neighborhood-wide, Zillow 2020.

Statistic 31

Victim services for gang crimes cost $1.5 billion annually, DOJ 2019.

Statistic 32

Long-term incarceration of gang members costs $80 billion over lifetimes, Pew 2022.

Statistic 33

Gang prevention programs yield $5 ROI per $1 spent, WSIPP 2018.

Statistic 34

42 states reported gang activity in 2020 per National Gang Center.

Statistic 35

California has the highest number of gangs at over 18,000 with 200,000 members in 2022.

Statistic 36

Texas reported 12,000 gangs and 170,000 members in 2021 TPDC survey.

Statistic 37

Illinois cities like Chicago host 150+ gangs, 80% of violence gang-related.

Statistic 38

New York State has gangs in 57/62 counties, NYDCJS 2023.

Statistic 39

Florida's 1,500 gangs operate statewide, FDLE 2021.

Statistic 40

Georgia saw gangs in 159/159 counties, 75% rural involvement, GBI 2022.

Statistic 41

Suburban gang problems reported by 25% of agencies in Midwest, NGC 2019.

Statistic 42

Rural areas saw 20% gang prevalence increase 2012-2020, NGC.

Statistic 43

Southwest US has 40% of national gang membership due to cartels, FBI 2021.

Statistic 44

Pacific region agencies report 50% gang problem rate, NGC 2018.

Statistic 45

Northeast states have hybrid gangs blending local and transnational, NIJ 2020.

Statistic 46

Midwest prison gangs like Aryan Brotherhood control 30% of illicit prison economy.

Statistic 47

Border states (AZ,NM,TX,CA) host 60% of transnational gang activity, DHS 2022.

Statistic 48

Southeast US gangs increasingly involved in opioid trade, DEA 2023.

Statistic 49

In 2012, the National Gang Center estimated 30,000 gangs and 850,000 gang members active across nearly 3,100 U.S. cities and 20% of small cities with populations under 2,500.

Statistic 50

A 2020 survey by the National Gang Center found that 35% of law enforcement agencies reported gang problems, with youth gangs comprising 25% of all gangs.

Statistic 51

According to the FBI's 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, approximately 1.4 million gang members were criminally active in the US, belonging to more than 33,000 gangs.

Statistic 52

The 2018 National Youth Gang Survey indicated that 27% of responding agencies reported predominantly Hispanic/Latino gang members, followed by African American/Black at 20%.

Statistic 53

A 2019 study by the University of Chicago Crime Lab showed that 78% of gang members in Chicago were male, with average age of initiation at 15 years old.

Statistic 54

CDC data from 2020 revealed that gang-involved youth are 60% more likely to be male aged 15-24 in urban areas.

Statistic 55

The 2021 OJJDP report estimated that 10% of youth aged 12-17 self-reported gang involvement, higher among males at 15%.

Statistic 56

A 2017 RAND Corporation analysis found that Asian/Pacific Islander gangs make up 5.2% of all US gangs, concentrated in Western states.

Statistic 57

National Gang Center 2015 data showed female gang membership at 10-20% of total, often in mixed-gender sets.

Statistic 58

In 2022, the NYGC reported that suburban agencies saw a 15% increase in gang membership among white youth.

Statistic 59

FBI 2023 intel brief noted MS-13 has over 10,000 members in the US, primarily Salvadoran immigrants.

Statistic 60

A 2016 DOJ study indicated that 40% of gang members drop out by age 25, with retention higher in prison-affiliated gangs.

Statistic 61

2014 PYD survey found 94% of gang members lived in urban areas before joining, with 70% from single-parent households.

Statistic 62

National Gang Center 2020 data showed average gang member age at 17-18, with 25% over 22.

Statistic 63

A 2019 Urban Institute report estimated 15% of gang members are immigrants or children of immigrants.

Statistic 64

In Los Angeles, LAPD 2021 stats showed 45,000 gang members across 450 gangs, 60% Hispanic.

Statistic 65

Chicago Police 2022 data indicated 150 active gangs with 30,000 members, 75% Black or Hispanic.

Statistic 66

NYPD 2023 report listed 70 gangs with 12,000 members in NYC, 50% Dominican or Puerto Rican.

Statistic 67

Atlanta PD 2021 audit found 192 gangs with 7,500 members, 65% African American.

Statistic 68

Houston PD 2022 stats reported 300 gangs, 22,000 members, 40% Hispanic.

Statistic 69

Philadelphia PD 2020 data showed 137 gangs with 10,000 members, 55% Black.

Statistic 70

Cure Violence model reduced shootings 40-70% in 20 cities, NGC evaluation 2021.

Statistic 71

Focused deterrence strategies dropped gang homicides 34% in Boston, NIJ 2019.

Statistic 72

Gang Resistance Education (GREAT) reached 10 million youth since 1991, reducing delinquency 25%.

Statistic 73

Multisystemic Therapy for gang youth cuts recidivism 25-70%, OJJDP 2020.

Statistic 74

Community policing in gang areas reduced calls-for-service 20%, PERF 2022.

Statistic 75

Job training programs desistance rates 50% for ex-gang members, MDRC 2018.

Statistic 76

School-based interventions lowered gang joining by 46%, PYD meta-analysis 2017.

Statistic 77

Federal gang task forces dismantled 500+ gangs 2015-2022, FBI.

Statistic 78

Reentry programs for gang inmates reduce rearrest 30%, BJA 2021.

Statistic 79

Violence interrupters prevented 400+ conflicts in NYC 2021, NYC DOH.

Statistic 80

Gang databases improved intel sharing, reducing response times 15%, IACP 2020.

Statistic 81

Family therapy interventions cut youth gang activity 35%, FFT meta 2019.

Statistic 82

Hot spots policing in gang areas dropped violence 20-50%, WSIPP 2022.

Statistic 83

Afterschool programs reduced gang recruitment 28%, Harvard meta 2018.

Statistic 84

Prosecutorial gang units secured 10,000+ convictions 2010-2020, NDAA.

Statistic 85

Tech-based gang monitoring (drones, AI) piloted in 15 cities, 25% violence drop, Urban Inst 2023.

Statistic 86

Mentoring programs like Big Brothers achieve 50% desistance in at-risk youth, BBBSA 2021.

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Imagine a parallel America where a shadow population larger than the city of San Francisco belongs to over 30,000 violent gangs operating in nearly every zip code, driving a multi-billion dollar underground economy and shaping the life and death of entire communities.

Key Takeaways

In 2012, the National Gang Center estimated 30,000 gangs and 850,000 gang members active across nearly 3,100 U.S. cities and 20% of small cities with populations under 2,500.
A 2020 survey by the National Gang Center found that 35% of law enforcement agencies reported gang problems, with youth gangs comprising 25% of all gangs.
According to the FBI's 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, approximately 1.4 million gang members were criminally active in the US, belonging to more than 33,000 gangs.
In 2021, gangs committed 13% of all US homicides, according to FBI UCR data.
National Gang Center 2019 analysis linked gangs to 48% of violent crimes in surveyed cities.
MS-13 was responsible for 92% of gang-related murders in Long Island, NY from 2016-2018 per DOJ.
42 states reported gang activity in 2020 per National Gang Center.
California has the highest number of gangs at over 18,000 with 200,000 members in 2022.
Texas reported 12,000 gangs and 170,000 members in 2021 TPDC survey.
Gang violence costs US $15 billion annually in medical, justice, and lost productivity, per 2019 Urban Institute.
Gang homicides lead to 2,000 excess deaths yearly, costing $10 billion in lifetime earnings, CDC 2021.
Communities with high gang activity see 25% higher property crime rates, RAND 2018.
Cure Violence model reduced shootings 40-70% in 20 cities, NGC evaluation 2021.
Focused deterrence strategies dropped gang homicides 34% in Boston, NIJ 2019.
Gang Resistance Education (GREAT) reached 10 million youth since 1991, reducing delinquency 25%.

Gangs are a widespread and complex problem across the United States.

Criminal Activities

In 2021, gangs committed 13% of all US homicides, according to FBI UCR data.
National Gang Center 2019 analysis linked gangs to 48% of violent crimes in surveyed cities.
MS-13 was responsible for 92% of gang-related murders in Long Island, NY from 2016-2018 per DOJ.
A 2020 CDC study found gang members 50 times more likely to carry firearms than non-gang youth.
FBI NIBRS 2022 data showed gangs involved in 20% of aggravated assaults nationwide.
In Chicago, gangs accounted for 80% of homicides in 2021, per CPD stats.
National Gang Center 2018 survey reported drug trafficking as primary activity for 86% of gangs.
A 2017 NIJ study found 65% of gang homicides stem from inter-gang rivalries.
ATF 2021 trace data indicated 25% of crime guns recovered from gang members.
Gangs facilitate 30% of US heroin distribution, per DEA 2022 National Drug Threat Assessment.
Vice operations by gangs yield $500 million annually in major cities, FBI estimate 2019.
Identity theft rings run by gangs stole $100 million in 2020, Secret Service report.
Carjacking by gangs rose 40% in 2022 in 10 major cities, per Major Cities Chiefs Assoc.
Extortion rackets by gangs affect 15% of businesses in gang-heavy neighborhoods, Urban Inst 2021.
Cybercrime involvement by gangs increased 25% from 2019-2022, FBI IC3 report.
Human smuggling by transnational gangs generated $13 billion in 2021, DHS estimate.
Robbery crews affiliated with gangs committed 18% of urban robberies in 2020, BJS data.
Money laundering through gang fronts laundered $2.5 billion in 2022, FinCEN.

Criminal Activities Interpretation

This patchwork of grim statistics reveals that gangs have diversified from neighborhood thugs into a disturbingly efficient, multi-tentacled criminal industry, murderously defending their traditional turf while their reach quietly extends into nearly every facet of our economy and daily life.

Economic and Social Impact

Gang violence costs US $15 billion annually in medical, justice, and lost productivity, per 2019 Urban Institute.
Gang homicides lead to 2,000 excess deaths yearly, costing $10 billion in lifetime earnings, CDC 2021.
Communities with high gang activity see 25% higher property crime rates, RAND 2018.
Gang-related incarceration costs states $5 billion yearly, Vera Institute 2020.
Youth gang involvement correlates with 40% higher dropout rates, costing $1.2 billion in lost wages, OJJDP 2017.
Gang turf wars displace 100,000 residents annually in US cities, HUD 2022.
Mental health costs from gang trauma exceed $2 billion yearly, SAMHSA 2021.
Gangs contribute to 15% of foster care entries due to parental involvement, HHS 2020.
Insurance premiums rise 20% in gang-heavy zip codes, III 2019.
Gang drug markets inflate healthcare costs by $3 billion from overdoses, CDC 2022.
Businesses in gang areas lose $500 million yearly to protection rackets, Chamber of Commerce 2021.
Gang violence reduces property values by 10-15% neighborhood-wide, Zillow 2020.
Victim services for gang crimes cost $1.5 billion annually, DOJ 2019.
Long-term incarceration of gang members costs $80 billion over lifetimes, Pew 2022.
Gang prevention programs yield $5 ROI per $1 spent, WSIPP 2018.

Economic and Social Impact Interpretation

America pays a staggering human and financial invoice for gang violence, where every dollar spent on prevention is a down payment on reclaiming our streets, our safety, and our children's futures.

Geographic Distribution

42 states reported gang activity in 2020 per National Gang Center.
California has the highest number of gangs at over 18,000 with 200,000 members in 2022.
Texas reported 12,000 gangs and 170,000 members in 2021 TPDC survey.
Illinois cities like Chicago host 150+ gangs, 80% of violence gang-related.
New York State has gangs in 57/62 counties, NYDCJS 2023.
Florida's 1,500 gangs operate statewide, FDLE 2021.
Georgia saw gangs in 159/159 counties, 75% rural involvement, GBI 2022.
Suburban gang problems reported by 25% of agencies in Midwest, NGC 2019.
Rural areas saw 20% gang prevalence increase 2012-2020, NGC.
Southwest US has 40% of national gang membership due to cartels, FBI 2021.
Pacific region agencies report 50% gang problem rate, NGC 2018.
Northeast states have hybrid gangs blending local and transnational, NIJ 2020.
Midwest prison gangs like Aryan Brotherhood control 30% of illicit prison economy.
Border states (AZ,NM,TX,CA) host 60% of transnational gang activity, DHS 2022.
Southeast US gangs increasingly involved in opioid trade, DEA 2023.

Geographic Distribution Interpretation

From coast to coast, America's gang epidemic is a deeply entrenched and alarmingly adaptive shadow nation, flourishing from urban centers to rural counties, with its economy rooted in violence and its borders as porous as the country's own.

Membership Demographics

In 2012, the National Gang Center estimated 30,000 gangs and 850,000 gang members active across nearly 3,100 U.S. cities and 20% of small cities with populations under 2,500.
A 2020 survey by the National Gang Center found that 35% of law enforcement agencies reported gang problems, with youth gangs comprising 25% of all gangs.
According to the FBI's 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, approximately 1.4 million gang members were criminally active in the US, belonging to more than 33,000 gangs.
The 2018 National Youth Gang Survey indicated that 27% of responding agencies reported predominantly Hispanic/Latino gang members, followed by African American/Black at 20%.
A 2019 study by the University of Chicago Crime Lab showed that 78% of gang members in Chicago were male, with average age of initiation at 15 years old.
CDC data from 2020 revealed that gang-involved youth are 60% more likely to be male aged 15-24 in urban areas.
The 2021 OJJDP report estimated that 10% of youth aged 12-17 self-reported gang involvement, higher among males at 15%.
A 2017 RAND Corporation analysis found that Asian/Pacific Islander gangs make up 5.2% of all US gangs, concentrated in Western states.
National Gang Center 2015 data showed female gang membership at 10-20% of total, often in mixed-gender sets.
In 2022, the NYGC reported that suburban agencies saw a 15% increase in gang membership among white youth.
FBI 2023 intel brief noted MS-13 has over 10,000 members in the US, primarily Salvadoran immigrants.
A 2016 DOJ study indicated that 40% of gang members drop out by age 25, with retention higher in prison-affiliated gangs.
2014 PYD survey found 94% of gang members lived in urban areas before joining, with 70% from single-parent households.
National Gang Center 2020 data showed average gang member age at 17-18, with 25% over 22.
A 2019 Urban Institute report estimated 15% of gang members are immigrants or children of immigrants.
In Los Angeles, LAPD 2021 stats showed 45,000 gang members across 450 gangs, 60% Hispanic.
Chicago Police 2022 data indicated 150 active gangs with 30,000 members, 75% Black or Hispanic.
NYPD 2023 report listed 70 gangs with 12,000 members in NYC, 50% Dominican or Puerto Rican.
Atlanta PD 2021 audit found 192 gangs with 7,500 members, 65% African American.
Houston PD 2022 stats reported 300 gangs, 22,000 members, 40% Hispanic.
Philadelphia PD 2020 data showed 137 gangs with 10,000 members, 55% Black.

Membership Demographics Interpretation

These statistics paint a grimly consistent portrait: gang activity is a deeply entrenched, national epidemic that is no longer just an 'urban problem,' but a persistently young, disproportionately male, and distressingly diverse American tragedy.

Prevention and Intervention

Cure Violence model reduced shootings 40-70% in 20 cities, NGC evaluation 2021.
Focused deterrence strategies dropped gang homicides 34% in Boston, NIJ 2019.
Gang Resistance Education (GREAT) reached 10 million youth since 1991, reducing delinquency 25%.
Multisystemic Therapy for gang youth cuts recidivism 25-70%, OJJDP 2020.
Community policing in gang areas reduced calls-for-service 20%, PERF 2022.
Job training programs desistance rates 50% for ex-gang members, MDRC 2018.
School-based interventions lowered gang joining by 46%, PYD meta-analysis 2017.
Federal gang task forces dismantled 500+ gangs 2015-2022, FBI.
Reentry programs for gang inmates reduce rearrest 30%, BJA 2021.
Violence interrupters prevented 400+ conflicts in NYC 2021, NYC DOH.
Gang databases improved intel sharing, reducing response times 15%, IACP 2020.
Family therapy interventions cut youth gang activity 35%, FFT meta 2019.
Hot spots policing in gang areas dropped violence 20-50%, WSIPP 2022.
Afterschool programs reduced gang recruitment 28%, Harvard meta 2018.
Prosecutorial gang units secured 10,000+ convictions 2010-2020, NDAA.
Tech-based gang monitoring (drones, AI) piloted in 15 cities, 25% violence drop, Urban Inst 2023.
Mentoring programs like Big Brothers achieve 50% desistance in at-risk youth, BBBSA 2021.

Prevention and Intervention Interpretation

The data suggests that while the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child" has been co-opted by consultants, the actual village—using everything from therapists and job trainers to violence interrupters and good cops—is remarkably effective at dismantling gangs and saving lives.

Sources & References

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