The United States has the highest number of known serial killers globally, accounting for 66.2% of the world's total, according to an analysis by PokerTube. The U.S. has documented 3,615 serial killers to date, significantly outpacing other nations. Russia ranks second with 196, and the United Kingdom third with 190.
Despite the high overall number, the likelihood of an individual encountering a serial killer remains low. The odds are approximately 1 in 94,800, which is still considerably better than winning the Mega Millions jackpot or being bitten by a shark.
State-by-State Concentration
Wyoming leads the nation in serial killer concentration per capita, with 13.59 individuals per million residents, or roughly one for every 73,584 residents. Alaska follows with 12.21 serial killers per million residents, placing it second. Oregon ranks third with 7.49 serial killers per million residents.
Montana and Missouri round out the top five, with rates of 6.99 and 6.54 per million residents, respectively. The analysis indicates that serial killer hotspots tend to cluster in Western states, with six of the top ten states located in that region.
Conversely, New York, despite having produced 39 known serial killers and recording 677 victims, ranks 48th nationally in concentration due to its large population. The state has a rate of 1.95 serial killers per million residents, making the odds of encountering one approximately 1 in 512,821.
California has produced the most serial killers overall with 128, followed by Texas with 90 and Florida with 76. However, their large populations place them in the middle of the per-capita rankings.
The states with the lowest per-capita rates of serial killers are Minnesota with 1.20 per million residents and Pennsylvania with 1.38 per million residents.
Notable American serial killers include David Berkowitz, known as the "Son of Sam," who terrorized New York City between 1975 and 1977, and Ted Bundy, who operated across several states in the 1970s. Jeffrey Dahmer, responsible for seventeen murders between 1978 and 1991, and Charles Manson, a cult leader whose followers committed notorious murders in 1969, are also among those highlighted.
Experts suggest that while there is no definitive way to predict who will become a serial killer, patterns such as repeated violent behavior, lack of empathy, manipulation, and a history of harming others can be potential red flags. Encouraging early intervention and support may play a role in prevention.