Obscurix has researched scholarly sources, databases, and the web for the most accurate and relevant statistics about serial killers. Our table of contents contains nearly every statistic you might be looking for. If there’s a specific statistic you can’t find, reach out to us through our contact page, and we’ll do our best to track it down.
The definition of a serial killer depends on the data source, though most use the FBI’s definition of two or more victims killed in separate incidents. Some sources use three or more. This can cause confusion during statistical analysis. To mitigate this, the article relies on authoritative sources more likely to use the FBI’s official model, unless a less reputable source is the sole provider of necessary information.
Check out our articles about serial killer couples if you’d prefer a list!
Table of Contents
Key Statistics
- The United States of America leads the world with the most serial killers by country at over 3,690. Some forensic psychologists believe the number is proportionally accurate and reflects the United States’ ability to identify serial killers rather than to produce them.
- The 1980s saw the most serial killers in the United States, and the total number of serial killers has declined each decade since. This is likely due to an increased acceptance of mental healthcare as well as technological advancements that make catching murderers faster than ever before.
- Since 1900, the United States has had an average of 63.1% of the total number of serial killers worldwide.
- The total number of serial killers worldwide peaked between 1990 and 2000, at 1,188. This is only slightly higher than the 1980 – 1990 decade, which saw an estimated world total of 1,110.
- The average number of victims per serial killer in the United States since 1900 is 3.48.
- The highest number of serial killer victims in the United States occurred in 1987, with 414 total victims.
Most Serial Killers by Country
Every country in the world has fewer known serial killers than the United States. When considering these numbers, understand that some experts believe the data is artificially skewed by a country’s ability to identify serial murderers, and not necessarily by its total number.
- The United States leads the world with 3,690 known serial killers.
- The United Kingdom comes in second with 196 serial killers, which is considerably smaller even at 1/7 of the U.S. population.
- Russia has been home to 164 known serial killers.
- Japan comes in fourth with 138 serial killers.
- India is next with 130 serial killers.
- South Africa has 129 serial killers in total.
- Canada comes in seventh with 125.
- Germany has 99 serial killers.
- Italy has 95 serial murderers.
- Australia has 92 serial killers.
Number of Serial Killers by Decade (U.S.)
You’ll notice a trend in the number of serial killers rising from the start of the 20th century until it peaks in the 1980s. From there, the number of active serial killers declines again. This is likely, at least in part, due to advancements in technology and criminology that allow us to better link murders to serial killers, as well as to catch them.
For example, the total number of serial killers in the United States rose sharply between the 1950s and 1960s. According to the paper “The Use of Criminal Profilers in the Prosecution of Serial Killers” found in Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, Spring 2015, this drastic change correlates with the explosive growth in the popularity of criminal profiling.
- There have been at least 26 serial killers since 2020, though this number will have poor accuracy until more data becomes available. As of now, institutions have only published information from 2020 to 2023.
- 2010 to 2020 saw 215 serial killers, accounting for 50.7% of the worldwide total.
- 2000 to 2010 saw 438 serial killers, accounting for 52.9% of the worldwide total.
- 1990 to 2000 saw 729 serial killers at 61.4% of the worldwide total.
- 1980 to 1990 saw a whopping 840 serial killers, accounting for 75.7% of the world total.
- 1970 to 1980 saw 673 serial killers, accounting for 77.5%, which is the highest percentage for any decade.
- 1960 to 1970 saw 255 serial killers, accounting for 74.6% of the worldwide total.
- 1950 to 1960 saw 93 serial killers, accounting for 64.6% of the world total.
- 1940 to 1950 saw 61 serial killers, accounting for 52.1% of the world total.
- 1930 to 1940 saw 67 serial murderers, accounting for 66.3% of the world total.
- 1920 to 1930 saw 70 serial killers, accounting for 61.9% of the world total.
- 1910 to 1920 saw 62 serial killers, accounting for 65.3% of the worldwide total.
- 1900 to 1910 saw 53 serial killers, accounting for 62.4% of the world total.
Number of Serial Killers Worldwide by Decade
It’s important to understand that crime data typically takes years to come out. That being said, the total number of serial killings will remain inaccurate for the 2020 to 2030 decade until a few years after the decade is over. Data researchers and criminologists believe the remainder of the yearly data is as accurate as reporting and cataloging practices from each decade allowed. This, of course, means that lower-tech processes and the time to the current date make older statistics less accurate than newer ones.
- 2020 to 2030 has seen at least 47 total serial murderers worldwide.
- 2010 to 2020 saw an estimated total of 424 serial killers worldwide.
- 2000 to 2010 saw 828 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1990 to 2000 saw 1,188 total serial killers worldwide, the peak of this recorded trend.
- 1980 to 1990 saw a worldwide serial killer total of 1,110.
- 1970 to 1980 saw 868 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1960 to 1970 saw 342 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1950 to 1960 saw 144 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1940 to 1950 saw 117 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1930 to 1940 saw 101 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1920 to 1930 saw 113 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1910 to 1920 saw 95 total serial killers worldwide.
- 1900 to 1910 only saw 85 total serial killers worldwide.
Number of Serial Killer Victims by Decade (U.S.)
The trend in the number of serial killers correlates with the number of serial killer victims in the United States, though imperfectly. This would be expected even if the data was perfectly accurate since the number of victims is different for each serial murderer.
A simple average of the number of victims per serial killer in a given decade in the United States (as shown in the next section) shows that this data uses the FBI definition of a serial killer — two victims killed during different events — as opposed to a socially popular definition of three victims.
- During the years 2020 and 2021, the United States had 70 serial killer victims.
- From 2010 to 2020, the United States had 924 serial killer victims.
- From 2000 to 2010, the United States had 1,616 serial killer victims.
- From 1990 to 2000, the United States had 2,531 serial killer victims.
- From 1980 to 1990, the United States had 3,079 serial killer victims.
- From 1970 to 1980, the United States had 2,092 serial killer victims.
- From 1960 to 1970, the United States had 621 serial killer victims.
- From 1950 to 1960, the United States had 276 serial killer victims.
- From 1940 to 1950, the United States had 184 serial killer victims.
- From 1930 to 1940, the United States had 234 serial killer victims.
- From 1920 to 1930, the United States had 293 serial killer victims.
- From 1910 to 1920, the United States had 284 serial killer victims.
- From 1900 to 1910, the United States had 227 serial killer victims.
Average Number of Victims per Serial Killer per Decade (U.S.)
We calculated the average number of victims per serial killer in each decade in the United States. More than one decade shows less than three victims per killer. This, as mentioned in the previous sections, proves the definition of a serial killer used in these findings is two victims killed during separate events.
- From 2010 to 2020, the average number of victims per serial killer was 4.30.
- From 2000 to 2010, the average number of victims per serial killer was 3.76.
- From 1990 to 2000, the average number of victims per serial killer was 3.47.
- From 1980 to 1990, the average number of victims per serial killer was 3.67.
- From 1970 to 1980, the average number of victims per serial killer was 3.11.
- From 1960 to 1970, the average number of victims per serial killer was 2.44.
- From 1950 to 1960, the average number of victims per serial killer was 2.97.
- From 1940 to 1950, the average number of victims per serial killer was 3.02.
- From 1930 to 1940, the average number of victims per serial killer was 3.49.
- From 1920 to 1930, the average number of victims per serial killer was 4.19.
- From 1910 to 1920, the average number of victims per serial killer was 4.58.
- From 1900 to 1910, the average number of victims per serial killer was 4.28.
Top States by Most Serial Killer Victims (U.S.)
The number and ranking of each state on this list are based on known serial killer victims from 1992 to 2019. We chose to go with this range due to the enhanced accuracy of data from developed recording methods, advanced criminal profiling techniques, and modernized technology during this time period. As you can see, these numbers tend to correlate with states that have higher urban population densities.
- California: 1,777 serial killer victims.
- Texas: 984 serial killer victims.
- Florida: 933 serial killer victims.
- Illinois: 680 serial killer victims.
- New York: 677 serial killer victims.
- Ohio: 505 serial killer victims.
- Pennsylvania: 462 serial killer victims.
- Michigan: 425 serial killer victims.
- Georgia: 409 serial killer victims.
- Washington: 396 serial killer victims.
Most Prolific Serial Killers in the United States by Victim and Estimated Victim Count
These are the serial killers with the highest number of victims in United States history. You’ll notice we also listed estimated victim counts based on unconfirmed confessions or investigator suspicions.
- Samuel Little had over 60 confirmed victims and 93 unconfirmed confessions.
- Gary Ridgway pled guilty to 48 counts of murder, though the number of his victims may be as high as 60.
- Kermit Barron Gosnell killed 48 people, many of them babies, and authorities believe this number may be over 200.
- Joshua Harper and William Harper confessed to 20 murders, but historians think they killed at least 40 people.
- Donald Harvey confessed to 37 murders, but his kill count might exceed 80.
Most Prolific Serial Killers Worldwide by Victim and Estimated Victim Count
These are the serial killers with the most victims worldwide, listed with both confirmed and estimated kill counts. These numbers are thought to be mostly accurate, but curating information from foreign news sources can be a challenge.
- Luis Garavito killed 193 confirmed victims in South America, but his kill count might reach into the 300s.
- Pedro López murdered 110 people in South America. His total number of victims is unknown, but authorities estimate it as high as 300 or more.
- Javed Iqbal killed 100 people in Pakistan. His proven victim list roughly aligns with his estimated count.
- Mikhail Popkov murdered 83 people in Russia and may have killed more than 86.
- Daniel Camargo Barbosa had 72 confirmed victims throughout South America, but authorities estimate his kill count could be more than double that number.
Serial Killer Facts about Motive and Typology
The four primary motives of serial killers include:
- Those who kill for thrill.
- Those who kill for profit.
- Those who desire to kill family members.
- Those who kill for sexual gratification.
The Four Maine Types of Serial Killers
- Visionary: The visionary serial killer attributes his crimes to hearing voices or being guided by delusions.
- Mission-Oriented: Serial killers who murder to eliminate or reduce the number of a specific demographic.
- Hedonistic: The hedonistic serial killer kills for the pleasure he/she/they gain from committing murder.
- Control-Oriented: Control-oriented serial killers murder for the same reason most rapists rape — They feel powerful by dominating another human being.
Serial Killers and Abuse
The high rates of abuse among serial killers suggest that abuse can play a role in forming the mind of a serial murderer.
- Half of all serial killers experienced psychological abuse.
- Around one-third of all serial killers experienced physical abuse.
- A quarter of all serial killers experienced sexual abuse.
How We Gathered These Statistics
Our researchers gathered and curated information from statistical reports in scholarly journals, institutional databases (such as the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation), news reports, and web articles. We processed data to determine mathematical average trends over time and demographics. Then, we examined trends and cross-referenced informational sources to determine accuracy.
Some information was only available from single sources and couldn’t be cross-referenced. Any statistical data regarding the year 2020 and onward should be considered incomplete, especially information referencing the 2020–2030 decade, as of the time we published this article. This information will be updated regularly as new reports are released.
Sources
- A&E interview with forensic psychologist Dr. Mike Aamodt
- Radford/FGCU Annual Report on Serial Killer Statistics: 2023
- World Population Review
- Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, Spring 2015
- World Population Review Serial Killers by State Map
- A Behaviour Sequence Analysis of Serial Killers’ Lives: From Childhood Abuse to Methods of Murder
- NCJRS Virtual Library – Profiles in Terror – The Serial Murderer
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- The Independent
- Legends of America
- NPR
- List of Serial Killers by Number of Victims
