In recent years, immigration enforcement actions involving Venezuelan nationals have drawn national attention. Some deportations have been linked by officials to suspected members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan transnational criminal organization that originated in the country’s prison system and has expanded into multiple countries across the Americas.
The gang has gained notoriety for crimes including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and human smuggling. Law enforcement agencies in the United States have reported arrests and investigations tied to Tren de Aragua in several states as authorities attempt to track its growing presence.
At the same time, the group has been the subject of political debate. Some officials have suggested links between the gang and the Venezuelan government, while intelligence assessments have reported no clear evidence of direct control by the state.
To identify gangs operating across the country, we reviewed data from World Population Review’s “Gangs by State” report. States are listed alphabetically, along with information about recognized gangs in each state and additional demographic data such as population, poverty rates, and labor force participation.
Why Are We Covering This?
Covering gang activity in each state is important to make known the extent of gang influence and the security challenges communities face. This helps in understanding the socio-economic conditions that contribute to gang proliferation and the impact on public safety, health, and local economies.
Here is a look at the recognized gangs in each state:
Alabama
Recognized gangs in state: All Profits Gang, The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, Bloods, Crips
State population: 5,143,030 – 24. out of 50
Poverty rate: 16.1% – 7. out of 50
Labor force participation: 57.4% – 47. out of 50
Alaska
Recognized gangs in state: Crips, Hells Angels Motorcycle Club
State population: 733,536 – 48. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.5% – 39. out of 50
Labor force participation: 66.2% – 11. out of 50
Arizona
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Phoeniquera, Phoenix gangs, WBP, Doble Gang
State population: 7,497,000 – 14. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.8% – 19. out of 50
Labor force participation: 62.1% – 30. out of 50
Arkansas
Recognized gangs in state: Almighty Vice Lord Nation, Bloods, Crips, Dixie Mafia, Hoover's Folk Nation, Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Rufus Buck Gang, Sons of Silence
State population: 3,089,060 – 33. out of 50
Poverty rate: 16.3% – 6. out of 50
Labor force participation: 58.5% – 44. out of 50
California
Recognized gangs in state: 18th Street Gang, 38th Street Gang, Aryan Brotherhood, Bloods, Crips, MS-13, Norteños, Sureños
State population: 38,889,800 – 1. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.3% – 21. out of 50
Labor force participation: 62.1% – 30. out of 50
Colorado
Recognized gangs in state: 18th Street gang, 211 Crew, 303 Mafia, Bloods, Gallant Knights Insane, Inca Boyz, North Side Mafia, Rollin' 30s, Tre 31st, Tre Duce, Tre Tre Crips, Tre Tre Finest
State population: 5,914,180 – 21. out of 50
Poverty rate: 9.7% – 47. out of 50
Labor force participation: 68.8% – 7. out of 50
Connecticut
Recognized gangs in state: 20 Luv, Latin Kings, Los Solidos, Ñeta
State population: 3,625,650 – 29. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.1% – 45. out of 50
Labor force participation: 64.8% – 18. out of 50
Delaware
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, Mexican gang, MGS Gang
State population: 1,044,320 – 45. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.6% – 29. out of 50
Labor force participation: 60.7% – 38. out of 50
Florida
Recognized gangs in state: Bonanno Crime Family, Gambino Family, Genovese Crime Family, Lucchese Crime Family, La Raza Nation, Latin Kings, Sarasota Assassination Society, Sons of Silence, Trafficante Crime Family, Zoe Pound
State population: 22,975,900 – 3. out of 50
Poverty rate: 13.1% – 17. out of 50
Labor force participation: 60.0% – 40. out of 50
Georgia
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Vice Lords
State population: 11,145,300 – 8. out of 50
Poverty rate: 14.0% – 12. out of 50
Labor force participation: 61.5% – 36. out of 50
Hawaii
Recognized gangs in state: 99 Street Halawa Mob Crips, Awanei (AWZ), The Company, Kam4 projects, the MDubbz (Mayor Wright), the Parccyde Sons of Samoa Crips, Palolo projects and few hoods in Waipahu like AniAni (Awoodz), Pupuole (PuTown)
State population: 1,430,880 – 40. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.2% – 33. out of 50
Labor force participation: 60.3% – 39. out of 50
Idaho
Recognized gangs in state: Assorted biker gangs, Bloods, Crips, Norteños, Sureños, white supremacist gangs
State population: 1,990,460 – 37. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.0% – 36. out of 50
Labor force participation: 63.3% – 26. out of 50
Illinois
Recognized gangs in state: Black Disciples, Black P Stones, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings
State population: 12,516,900 – 6. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.1% – 25. out of 50
Labor force participation: 64.6% – 19. out of 50
Indiana
Recognized gangs in state: 2100 Arlington, Bad Newz, Brook Side, Crew Life, Cross Town, Gangstaville, Gangster Disciples, Sons of Silence, Vice Lords, Wild Life
State population: 6,892,120 – 17. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.2% – 23. out of 50
Labor force participation: 64.1% – 23. out of 50
Iowa
Recognized gangs in state: C Block, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Vice Lords
State population: 3,214,320 – 31. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.1% – 34. out of 50
Labor force participation: 69.0% – 5. out of 50
Kansas
Recognized gangs in state: The 51st Street Crips, Bloods, Crips, Sureños
State population: 2,944,380 – 34. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.7% – 28. out of 50
Labor force participation: 67.1% – 9. out of 50
Kentucky
Recognized gangs in state: Black Gangster Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Kansas City Crime Family, Latin Kings, Simon City Royals, Vice Lords and subsets
State population: 4,540,740 – 26. out of 50
Poverty rate: 16.5% – 5. out of 50
Labor force participation: 58.2% – 45. out of 50
Louisiana
Recognized gangs in state: The 3-N-G Gang, The Bandidos, Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs)
State population: 4,559,480 – 25. out of 50
Poverty rate: 19.6% – 1. out of 50
Labor force participation: 59.6% – 42. out of 50
Maine
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, East Side Til I Die, FSU, Latin Kings, Maine Elements, Neta, P-Town Soldiers/Bitches, The Portland Boys, Surenos 13, Tiny Rascals Gang, TRU, Unauthorized Outlaws, Underground Thugs, Urban Boys for Life
State population: 1,402,110 – 42. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.5% – 30. out of 50
Labor force participation: 59.5% – 43. out of 50
Maryland
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, MS-13
State population: 6,196,520 – 19. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.3% – 41. out of 50
Labor force participation: 65.5% – 13. out of 50
Massachusetts
Recognized gangs in state: The Hells Angels (HAMC) aka the "Red & White", the Outlaws aka the "Black & White", Lenox Street Boys
State population: 7,020,060 – 16. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.4% – 40. out of 50
Labor force participation: 65.0% – 16. out of 50
Michigan
Recognized gangs in state: Playboy Gangster Crips, Seven Mile Bloods
State population: 10,041,200 – 10. out of 50
Poverty rate: 13.1% – 17. out of 50
Labor force participation: 61.8% – 34. out of 50
Minnesota
Recognized gangs in state: Black P Stones, Bloods, Bogus Boys, Crips, Family Mob, Gangster Disciples, Mara-Sulvatrucha, Native Mob, One Nine's, Purple Brothers, Somali Hot Boyz, Stick Up Boys, Sureños, Taliban, Vatos Locos, Vice Lords
State population: 5,761,530 – 22. out of 50
Poverty rate: 9.3% – 48. out of 50
Labor force participation: 69.2% – 4. out of 50
Mississippi
Recognized gangs in state: Black Gangster Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Kansas City Crime Family, Latin Kings, Simon City Royals, Vice Lords and subsets
State population: 2,940,450 – 35. out of 50
Poverty rate: 19.4% – 2. out of 50
Labor force participation: 54.6% – 50. out of 50
Missouri
Recognized gangs in state: Aryan Circle, Family Values, Joplin Honkys, Missouri Aryan Brotherhood, Norteños, Peckerwood Midwest and Sacred Separatist Group
State population: 6,215,140 – 18. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.7% – 20. out of 50
Labor force participation: 64.5% – 21. out of 50
Montana
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Dine Pride, Native Pride, Norteños, Sureños, Warrior Society
State population: 1,142,750 – 43. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.9% – 27. out of 50
Labor force participation: 63.6% – 25. out of 50
Nebraska
Recognized gangs in state: Airport Crips, Bloods, Cooper Park Locos, Hells Angels MC, Vice Lords
State population: 1,988,700 – 38. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.8% – 37. out of 50
Labor force participation: 70.0% – 3. out of 50
Nevada
Recognized gangs in state: 311 Boyz, the Crips, Gersons', Playboys
State population: 3,210,930 – 32. out of 50
Poverty rate: 14.1% – 11. out of 50
Labor force participation: 61.7% – 35. out of 50
New Hampshire
Recognized gangs in state: Bay State Skinheads, Bloods, Brothers of the White Warriors, Chinese Mafia, Combatants, Crips, Diamond Kings, Dominions, Folk, Gangster Disciples, Hells Angels MC, Iron Eagles MC, Juggalos, Kaotic Kings of Destruction, Latin Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Milford & Company, Mountain Men MC, MS-13, Nine Trey Bloods, Outlaws MC, Pagans MC, Red Villain Gangstas, Rough Riders, Sureños, Trinitarios,
State population: 1,405,100 – 41. out of 50
Poverty rate: 7.2% – 50. out of 50
Labor force participation: 65.4% – 14. out of 50
New Jersey
Recognized gangs in state: 18th Street, 230 Boys, Bloods, Brick Squad, Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, Pagan's Motorcycle Club, Rollin 60s Crips, Trintarios, So Icey Boys
State population: 9,320,860 – 11. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.2% – 43. out of 50
Labor force participation: 66.1% – 12. out of 50
New Mexico
Recognized gangs in state: 72 Gang, Bandidos, Brew Town Locos, Hells Angels, Los Carnales prison gangs, Los Demonos, Los Padillas, Los Sureños and Juaritos, Memphis Boys, Servalle Pajarito, Sinaloa Cartel, West Siders
State population: 2,115,270 – 36. out of 50
Poverty rate: 18.4% – 3. out of 50
Labor force participation: 57.4% – 47. out of 50
New York
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Five Prisoners, Latin Kings, Mac Baller Brims, Matatones, Nietas, Rat Hunters, Silenciosos, Zulu Nation,
State population: 19,469,200 – 4. out of 50
Poverty rate: 13.9% – 13. out of 50
Labor force participation: 62.0% – 32. out of 50
North Carolina
Recognized gangs in state: Asian Gangs, Bloods and Crips, Folk Nation, The Hidden Valley Kings, Hispanic Gangs, People Nation
State population: 10,975,000 – 9. out of 50
Poverty rate: 13.4% – 15. out of 50
Labor force participation: 61.2% – 37. out of 50
North Dakota
Recognized gangs in state: Boyz, Native Mob, North Side Gangster Disciples, the North Side Family, the Rapid City Journal
State population: 788,940 – 47. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.1% – 34. out of 50
Labor force participation: 70.5% – 1. out of 50
Ohio
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods and Crips, Columbus Ohio gangs, The Executioners
State population: 11,812,200 – 7. out of 50
Poverty rate: 13.4% – 15. out of 50
Labor force participation: 62.5% – 27. out of 50
Oklahoma
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods / Piru, Crips, Folk Nation, Outlaw Motorcycle Bikers (OMG), Peoples Nation, Sureño's, White Supremacist, Hoover Crips
State population: 4,088,380 – 28. out of 50
Poverty rate: 15.6% – 8. out of 50
Labor force participation: 62.3% – 28. out of 50
Oregon
Recognized gangs in state: Aryan Nation, Bloods, Crips, European Kindred, Hoovers, Latin Kings
State population: 4,227,340 – 27. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.2% – 23. out of 50
Labor force participation: 61.9% – 33. out of 50
Pennsylvania
Recognized gangs in state: The Breed Motorcycle Club, Bufalino Crime Family, the Flathead Gang, Juggalo Gangs, Keystone United, Latin Kings, Motorcycle Club, Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Pagan's Motorcycle Club, Pittsburgh Crime Family, Polish-American Organized Crime, Sadistic Souls, Sin City Deciples Motorcycle Club, Sons of Satan MC, Trinitarios, Watlocks Motorcycle Club
State population: 12,951,300 – 5. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.1% – 25. out of 50
Labor force participation: 62.3% – 28. out of 50
Rhode Island
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Eastside, Latin Kings, Southside, Taylor Street, Trinitarios, Westend
State population: 1,098,080 – 44. out of 50
Poverty rate: 11.4% – 31. out of 50
Labor force participation: 63.9% – 24. out of 50
South Carolina
Recognized gangs in state: Charlie Town Clique, G-Shine, Insane Gangster Disciples, Mafia Gangster Disciples
State population: 5,464,160 – 23. out of 50
Poverty rate: 14.6% – 9. out of 50
Labor force participation: 57.8% – 46. out of 50
South Dakota
Recognized gangs in state: Boyz, Native Mob, North Side Family, North Side Gangster Disciples, the Rapid City Journal
State population: 928,767 – 46. out of 50
Poverty rate: 12.3% – 21. out of 50
Labor force participation: 69.0% – 5. out of 50
Tennessee
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods and Crips, Gangster Disciples, Mara Salvatrucha, Vice Lords
State population: 7,204,000 – 15. out of 50
Poverty rate: 13.6% – 14. out of 50
Labor force participation: 59.9% – 41. out of 50
Texas
Recognized gangs in state: Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, Aryan Circle, Bandidos, Barrio Azteca, Bloods (various cliques), Crips (various cliques), Latin Kings, Texas Mexican Mafia, Texas Syndicate
State population: 30,976,800 – 2. out of 50
Poverty rate: 14.2% – 10. out of 50
Labor force participation: 64.2% – 22. out of 50
Utah
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Norteños, Soldiers Of Aryan Culture, Sureños
State population: 3,417,730 – 30. out of 50
Poverty rate: 8.6% – 49. out of 50
Labor force participation: 70.4% – 2. out of 50
Vermont
Recognized gangs in state: Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, Street Gangs
State population: 647,818 – 49. out of 50
Poverty rate: 10.3% – 41. out of 50
Labor force participation: 64.9% – 17. out of 50
Virginia
Recognized gangs in state: 13th Gang, 2 Times, 400, 9 Boyz, Black Disciples, Broad Rock Boys, Dead Man Incorporated, Dolow Crips, Double II Bloods, F@#$ the Opps (FTO), Gangster Disciples, Hells Angels, Los Lobos, Nine Trey Bloods, OTF (Only the Family), Rollin 30 Crips, MS-13, Mongols, Outkast, Pagans, Sex Money Murder Blood, Sureno 13, Wheels of Soul, Young Guns
