GITNUXREPORT 2025

Juvenile Statistics

Juvenile delinquency involves complex factors, mainly affecting minority and vulnerable youth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The nation’s juvenile justice systems spend approximately $3.7 billion annually

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Juvenile detention facilities are underfunded in many states, with some reporting per-capita costs over $200 per day

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In 2019, there were about 728,000 juvenile arrests in the U.S.

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Juvenile arrest rates for property crimes decreased by 43% from 2009 to 2019

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Around 30% of juvenile arrests are for drug violations

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Juvenile homicide arrest rates have declined by about 76% from 1994 to 2019

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During 2019, around 40% of juvenile arrests were for status offenses, such as truancy and curfew violations

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The usage of community-based programs has increased, with over 60% of juvenile cases diverted away from detention in some states

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The majority of youth in detention are repeat offenders, with about 65% having prior history of offending

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Juvenile drug charges declined by approximately 25% from 2009 to 2019

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Juvenile arrest rates for violent crimes decreased by about 50% from 2009 to 2019

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Juvenile arrests for alcohol violations account for roughly 8% of all juvenile arrests

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Juvenile firearm-related arrests accounted for approximately 5% of all juvenile arrests in 2019

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The percentage of youth engaged in delinquent behavior increases with age, peaking around 16-17 years old

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Juvenile court referrals for alcohol and drug violations account for approximately 20% of all referrals

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Less than 10% of juvenile offenders are involved in gang activity, but this group accounts for over 50% of serious crimes committed by juveniles

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The likelihood of arrest for juveniles increases significantly with involvement in peer groups, especially among males

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The majority of juvenile arrests involve first-time offenders, accounting for approximately 60%

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Juvenile arrest rates for homicide are lowest among 13-15 age group, increasing again among 16-17 years old

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Cyberbullying is linked to juvenile delinquency, with about 25% of offenders reporting involvement in online harassment

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The average length of stay in juvenile detention centers is about 24 days

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Juvenile recidivism rate is around 40% within three years of initial detention

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The majority of juvenile offenders are detained for less than 30 days, about 60%

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The rate of juvenile detention has decreased by approximately 45% since 2001

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Juvenile batterer intervention programs have shown to reduce recidivism by around 30%

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In 2019, about 55% of detained juveniles reported feeling unsafe in detention facilities

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Juveniles in detention are more likely to have lower academic achievement, with about 75% not enrolled in school at the time of detention

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Juvenile probation is used in about 70% of cases involving juvenile offenders, as an alternative to detention

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The rate of juvenile incarceration varies widely between states, with some states incarcerating as little as 100 per 100,000 youth, others over 500 per 100,000

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Juveniles with mental health disorders are more likely to be involved with the justice system, comprising about 70% of juvenile detainees

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Only about 20% of juvenile offenders receive services that address their mental health needs

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The percentage of juveniles with disabilities in detention centers is around 20%, higher than their representation in the general youth population

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Approximately 28% of juveniles in detention centers have a history of trauma or adverse childhood experiences

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Approximately 15% of juveniles in detention are court-ordered to receive mental health treatments

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Approximately 7% of all youth in the United States are considered delinquent

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The majority of juveniles in detention are male, accounting for approximately 87%

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Nearly 60% of juvenile offenders report having experienced some form of physical abuse

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Approximately 10% of juveniles in the justice system are girls

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About 15% of juvenile offenders are involved with the juvenile justice system for multiple offenses

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The percentage of juveniles living in poverty is approximately 30%, which correlates with higher juvenile justice involvement

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About 50% of juvenile arrests involve African American youth, despite making up roughly 14% of the youth population

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Juveniles ages 15-17 represent the highest percentage of youth involved in serious crimes

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Youth involved in the justice system are more likely to come from households without a father present, about 70%

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About 60% of juvenile offenders are involved in family problems such as domestic violence or parental neglect

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Approximately 42% of juvenile offenders have been involved with the child welfare system prior to detention

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The proportion of minority youth in detention is significantly higher than their proportion in the general youth population, with African American youth making up over 30%

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Juvenile offenders with a history of substance abuse are twice as likely to recidivate

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Key Highlights

Approximately 7% of all youth in the United States are considered delinquent
In 2019, there were about 728,000 juvenile arrests in the U.S.
Juvenile arrest rates for property crimes decreased by 43% from 2009 to 2019
Around 30% of juvenile arrests are for drug violations
The majority of juveniles in detention are male, accounting for approximately 87%
The average length of stay in juvenile detention centers is about 24 days
Nearly 60% of juvenile offenders report having experienced some form of physical abuse
Juveniles with mental health disorders are more likely to be involved with the justice system, comprising about 70% of juvenile detainees
The nation’s juvenile justice systems spend approximately $3.7 billion annually
Only about 20% of juvenile offenders receive services that address their mental health needs
Approximately 10% of juveniles in the justice system are girls
Juvenile recidivism rate is around 40% within three years of initial detention
Juvenile homicide arrest rates have declined by about 76% from 1994 to 2019

Juvenile justice in the United States is a complex landscape marked by significant declines in violent crime and property offenses, yet it continues to grapple with high recidivism rates, racial disparities, and mental health challenges among youth.

Funding, System Challenges, and Program Effectiveness

The nation’s juvenile justice systems spend approximately $3.7 billion annually
Juvenile detention facilities are underfunded in many states, with some reporting per-capita costs over $200 per day

Funding, System Challenges, and Program Effectiveness Interpretation

Despite allocating a hefty $3.7 billion annually to juvenile justice, underfunded detention centers burden states with over $200 daily per youth, highlighting a costly mismatch between investment and effective resource allocation.

Juvenile Crime and Arrest Trends

In 2019, there were about 728,000 juvenile arrests in the U.S.
Juvenile arrest rates for property crimes decreased by 43% from 2009 to 2019
Around 30% of juvenile arrests are for drug violations
Juvenile homicide arrest rates have declined by about 76% from 1994 to 2019
During 2019, around 40% of juvenile arrests were for status offenses, such as truancy and curfew violations
The usage of community-based programs has increased, with over 60% of juvenile cases diverted away from detention in some states
The majority of youth in detention are repeat offenders, with about 65% having prior history of offending
Juvenile drug charges declined by approximately 25% from 2009 to 2019
Juvenile arrest rates for violent crimes decreased by about 50% from 2009 to 2019
Juvenile arrests for alcohol violations account for roughly 8% of all juvenile arrests
Juvenile firearm-related arrests accounted for approximately 5% of all juvenile arrests in 2019
The percentage of youth engaged in delinquent behavior increases with age, peaking around 16-17 years old
Juvenile court referrals for alcohol and drug violations account for approximately 20% of all referrals
Less than 10% of juvenile offenders are involved in gang activity, but this group accounts for over 50% of serious crimes committed by juveniles
The likelihood of arrest for juveniles increases significantly with involvement in peer groups, especially among males
The majority of juvenile arrests involve first-time offenders, accounting for approximately 60%
Juvenile arrest rates for homicide are lowest among 13-15 age group, increasing again among 16-17 years old
Cyberbullying is linked to juvenile delinquency, with about 25% of offenders reporting involvement in online harassment

Juvenile Crime and Arrest Trends Interpretation

While juvenile arrest rates for violent and property crimes have notably declined, the persistent involvement of youth in status offenses, gang activity, and cyberbullying underscores the need for targeted early intervention, because preventing repeat offenses and addressing underlying peer influences remains the true measure of effective juvenile justice.

Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation

The average length of stay in juvenile detention centers is about 24 days
Juvenile recidivism rate is around 40% within three years of initial detention
The majority of juvenile offenders are detained for less than 30 days, about 60%
The rate of juvenile detention has decreased by approximately 45% since 2001
Juvenile batterer intervention programs have shown to reduce recidivism by around 30%
In 2019, about 55% of detained juveniles reported feeling unsafe in detention facilities
Juveniles in detention are more likely to have lower academic achievement, with about 75% not enrolled in school at the time of detention
Juvenile probation is used in about 70% of cases involving juvenile offenders, as an alternative to detention
The rate of juvenile incarceration varies widely between states, with some states incarcerating as little as 100 per 100,000 youth, others over 500 per 100,000

Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Interpretation

While juvenile detention stays are shrinking and recidivism rates hover around 40%, the stark reality remains that over half of detained youths feel unsafe and most are out of school, revealing that reducing numbers without addressing underlying issues risks merely swapping short-term fixes for long-term failures.

Juvenile Mental Health and Disabilities

Juveniles with mental health disorders are more likely to be involved with the justice system, comprising about 70% of juvenile detainees
Only about 20% of juvenile offenders receive services that address their mental health needs
The percentage of juveniles with disabilities in detention centers is around 20%, higher than their representation in the general youth population
Approximately 28% of juveniles in detention centers have a history of trauma or adverse childhood experiences
Approximately 15% of juveniles in detention are court-ordered to receive mental health treatments

Juvenile Mental Health and Disabilities Interpretation

With nearly 70% of juvenile detainees battling mental health issues—yet only a fifth receiving adequate services—the system's failure to bridge the gap between mental health and justice risks turning troubled youth into lifelong detainees rather than providing them the help they desperately need.

Juvenile Offenders and Demographics

Approximately 7% of all youth in the United States are considered delinquent
The majority of juveniles in detention are male, accounting for approximately 87%
Nearly 60% of juvenile offenders report having experienced some form of physical abuse
Approximately 10% of juveniles in the justice system are girls
About 15% of juvenile offenders are involved with the juvenile justice system for multiple offenses
The percentage of juveniles living in poverty is approximately 30%, which correlates with higher juvenile justice involvement
About 50% of juvenile arrests involve African American youth, despite making up roughly 14% of the youth population
Juveniles ages 15-17 represent the highest percentage of youth involved in serious crimes
Youth involved in the justice system are more likely to come from households without a father present, about 70%
About 60% of juvenile offenders are involved in family problems such as domestic violence or parental neglect
Approximately 42% of juvenile offenders have been involved with the child welfare system prior to detention
The proportion of minority youth in detention is significantly higher than their proportion in the general youth population, with African American youth making up over 30%
Juvenile offenders with a history of substance abuse are twice as likely to recidivate

Juvenile Offenders and Demographics Interpretation

While only about 7% of U.S. youth are labeled delinquent, a troubling constellation of factors—including pervasive poverty, family dysfunction, and disproportionate minority representation—highlight that the cycle of youth crime is less about individual choice and more about a cascade of social, economic, and traumatic adversities demanding comprehensive, systemic solutions.