Every day, an average of 559 sex offenses are reported across the United States. This disturbing statistic translates to one offense occurring every 2.57 minutes. With over 204,000 incidents reported in the past year alone, the prevalence of sexual violence continues to pose a significant challenge to public safety and victim support services.
Fondling and rape are the most commonly reported offenses, making up the majority of cases. Women, particularly those aged 11-20, are the most affected. While the issue spans the entire nation, states like Alaska, South Dakota, and Arkansas report some of the highest rates of rape, while Montana and Utah lead in fondling incidents.
Child rape is also a major concern, with South Dakota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin reporting the highest rates among children under 18.
This study delves into the data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer to spotlight the states most affected by sexual offenses in 2024. It provides a comprehensive overview of the severity of the issue and highlights the urgent need for targeted prevention and intervention measures to protect vulnerable populations.
Key Findings
- Total Sex Offenses: 204,055 sex offenses reported, averaging 559 incidents per day, or one every 2.57 minutes.
- Types of Offenses: 41% of reported sex offenses are fondling, while 37% are rape.
- Victim Gender: 86% of sex offense victims are female.
- Victim Age: 47.53% of victims are aged 11-20, while 18% are children aged 0-10.
- Offender Gender: 91.4% of reported sex offenders are male.
- Highest Rape Rates: Alaska, South Dakota, and Arkansas have the highest rates of rape incidents.
- Highest Fondling Rates: Montana, Utah, and New Hampshire lead in fondling offenses.
- Child Rape Rates: South Dakota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin have the highest rates of child rape.
- Overall Sex Offenses: Alaska, Utah, and Montana have the highest overall rates of sex offenses in the nation.
Sex Offense Rates by State, 2024 (Map)
Ranking the States with the Most Sex Offenses, 2024 (Table)
Sexual Offense Statistics in the USA, 2024
1 Sex Offense Reported Every 2.57 Minutes in the U.S.
In the United States, a total of 204,055 sex offenses have been reported, averaging 559 incidents each day. This translates to one sex offense occurring every 2.57 minutes, highlighting the frequency of these crimes across the nation.
41% of Reported Sex Offenses Are Fondling, and 37% Are Rape
Fondling accounts for 41% (84,586) of all reported sex offenses, making it the most common type of sexual offense. Rape follows closely, representing 37% (75,396) of reported cases. These two categories alone make up a significant portion of the total offenses.
Over 86% of Sex Offense Victims Were Female, While 13% Were Male
According to the latest data, 86.3% (176,157) of sex offense victims were female, with males making up 13.3% (27,235) of the total. An additional 0.3% of victims’ gender was reported as unknown.
About 9% of Females Reported as Victims of a Sex Offense
Approximately 9% of females in America who reported crimes against persons (2,007,909) were victims of a sex offense. This statistic highlights the disproportionate impact of sexual violence on women.
47.53% of Sex Offense Victims Are Aged 11-20, While 18% Are Children 0-10
Based on the data, 47.53% (96,993) of all sex offense victims are between the ages of 11 and 20, making this group the most affected.
Additionally, 17.93% (36,592) of victims are children aged 0-10, highlighting the significant vulnerability of both teenagers and young children to sexual offenses in America.
91.4% of Reported Sex Offenders Are Male
Out of the total sex offenders reported, 92% (170,491) are male, while females constitute approximately 7% (12,318). An additional 1% of offenders have an unknown gender.
26.65% of Sex Offenders Are Aged 11-20, While 24% Are 41 or Older
Nearly 27% (49,694) of sex offenders are between the ages of 11 and 20, making this the largest group. Additionally, 24.05% (44,837) of offenders are aged 41 or older, showing that sex offenders span across various age groups.
States with the Highest Rates of Rapes
| State | Total Reported Rape Offenses | Rape Offenses per 100K Residents |
| Alaska | 328 | 74 |
| South Dakota | 438 | 53 |
| Arkansas | 1539 | 52 |
| North Dakota | 390 | 50 |
| Wyoming | 227 | 50 |
| Nevada | 1562 | 49 |
| Montana | 529 | 47 |
| New Mexico | 838 | 46 |
| Utah | 1483 | 45 |
| Ohio | 4716 | 43 |
Alaska, South Dakota, and Arkansas Have the Highest Rates of Rape Incidents
Alaska tops the list with 74 rape offenses per 100,000 residents, followed by South Dakota with 53, and Arkansas with 52. Rape accounts for 36.95% of all sex offenses in the U.S., making it a significant and deeply concerning issue. These alarming statistics call for urgent action in addressing sexual violence, particularly in these states where the rates are notably higher.
States with the Highest Rates of Fondling
| State | Total Reported Fondling Offenses | Fondling Offenses per 100K Residents |
| Montana | 1045 | 93 |
| Utah | 2981 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | 1088 | 79 |
| North Dakota | 559 | 72 |
| District of Columbia | 437 | 65 |
| Nevada | 1899 | 60 |
| Alaska | 243 | 55 |
| Oklahoma | 2172 | 54 |
| Idaho | 1046 | 54 |
| Michigan | 5098 | 53 |
Montana, Utah, and New Hampshire Have the Highest Rates of Fondling Offenses
Montana reports the highest rate of fondling offenses, with 93 incidents per 100,000 residents, followed closely by Utah at 90, and New Hampshire at 79. Fondling accounts for 41.45% of all sex offenses in the U.S., making it the most frequently reported offense. These high rates emphasize the urgent need for preventive measures and awareness campaigns in these states.
States with the Highest Rates of Child Rapes (Under 18)
| State | Total Reported Child Rape Offenses | Child Rape Offenses per 100K Children Under 18 |
| South Dakota | 143 | 65 |
| Massachusetts | 732 | 54 |
| Wisconsin | 561 | 44 |
| New Hampshire | 101 | 39 |
| North Dakota | 73 | 39 |
| Oregon | 294 | 34 |
| Maine | 59 | 23 |
| North Carolina | 531 | 23 |
| Louisiana | 231 | 21 |
| Montana | 48 | 20 |
South Dakota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin Have the Highest Rates of Child Rape Offenses
South Dakota leads with 65 child rape offenses per 100,000 children under 18, followed by Massachusetts with 54, and Wisconsin with 44. These states have the highest rates of reported child rape offenses, highlighting the critical need for targeted interventions to protect minors from such heinous crimes.
Worst States with the Highest Rates of Sex Offenses
Alaska
Alaska ranks first as the state with the highest rate of sex offenses, reporting 171 offenses per 100,000 residents. Despite its relatively small population, Alaska’s rate far exceeds that of other states, making it a significant area of concern for policymakers and law enforcement. The high frequency of sex offenses in Alaska suggests an urgent need for stronger preventive measures, awareness programs, and victim support services.
Utah
Utah ranks second with 159 sex offenses per 100,000 residents, placing it among the states with the highest rates of reported incidents. Despite being a larger and more populous state, Utah’s high rate reflects deep-rooted issues that require attention. Increased efforts in education and community-based initiatives may help address the rising cases and promote safer environments across the state.
Montana
Montana follows closely in third place with 157 sex offenses per 100,000 residents. The sparsely populated state sees an alarmingly high rate of offenses, signaling the need for better prevention strategies in rural areas. The state’s law enforcement and social services must collaborate to increase awareness and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to such crimes.
North Dakota
North Dakota ranks fourth, reporting 139 sex offenses per 100,000 residents. Though relatively small in population, the state’s concerning numbers point to a broader issue. North Dakota must focus on improving victim support resources and implementing more stringent legal frameworks to address this growing problem.
South Dakota
With 132 sex offenses per 100,000 residents, South Dakota lands in fifth place. The state, known for its wide-open spaces and close-knit communities, faces a rising problem with sexual violence. Encouraging victims to report offenses and providing access to comprehensive resources will be critical steps in addressing the high rate of offenses.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks sixth, with 129 reported sex offenses per 100,000 residents. This northeastern state, while relatively small, faces notable challenges in dealing with the prevalence of sexual crimes. Focused efforts on prevention programs and counseling services are needed to address the issue and provide better support for victims.
Nevada
Nevada reports 122 sex offenses per 100,000 residents, ranking it seventh in the nation. With its large urban centers and tourist attractions, Nevada’s high rate of sexual offenses points to unique challenges in crime prevention. Improved public safety measures and targeted educational campaigns could help curb these numbers.
Michigan
Michigan, with a rate of 120 sex offenses per 100,000 residents, ranks eighth. As one of the most populous states in the country, Michigan faces the challenge of balancing prevention and support services for its many residents. A combination of community outreach and law enforcement efforts will be vital to lowering these numbers.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma follows closely in ninth place, reporting 118 sex offenses per 100,000 residents. Despite its central location and diverse population, Oklahoma continues to grapple with high crime rates, including sexual offenses. A renewed focus on victim support services and public awareness could help tackle this serious issue.
New Mexico
New Mexico ranks tenth with 113 sex offenses per 100,000 residents. The state’s blend of urban and rural areas creates a unique set of challenges in combatting sex offenses. By strengthening legal frameworks and increasing access to resources in both rural and urban communities, New Mexico can work toward reducing the prevalence of these crimes.
Methodology
To provide an accurate and comprehensive analysis of sex offenses across the United States, this study utilized data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer and the Children’s Bureau. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the methodology used to rank states by reported incidents of rape, fondling, and child rape:
Data Sources
FBI Crime Data Explorer (2022): The primary source of data on sex offenses by type (rape, fondling, child rape), gender, age, and offenders. The data includes a column for population coverage within each state, which we used for state-specific rankings.
Children’s Bureau: Population data for children under 18 was obtained from the Children’s Bureau to accurately calculate child rape rates per 100,000 children in each state.
Data Analyzed
Sex Offenses by Type: The study focused on three main categories of sex offenses — rape, fondling, and child rape. These were analyzed separately to create rankings.
Victim and Offender Demographics: Data on victims’ and offenders’ gender and age were analyzed to gain insights into the most vulnerable populations.
State Breakdown: The number of reported offenses was categorized by state to determine the geographical distribution of these crimes.
Ranking Criteria
Rates per 100,000 Residents: For rape and fondling offenses, the ranking was based on the number of reported incidents per 100,000 residents. This metric was calculated using the population covered in each state as provided by the FBI Crime Data Explorer.
Rates per 100,000 Children: For child rape offenses, the ranking was based on the number of reported incidents per 100,000 children under 18. The children population data for each state was derived from the Children’s Bureau.
Limitations
Population Coverage: The population figures provided in the FBI data reflect only the population covered by law enforcement agencies reporting to the FBI, rather than the state’s full population. As a result, the rankings may not accurately reflect the true rate of offenses in each state.