Ever sat in a crowded stadium or a busy airport and wondered about the person next to you? Most people think of "felons" as people behind bars. But the truth is much weirder—and way bigger.
The most recent data suggests that roughly 19 million to 24 million people in the United States have a felony conviction on their record. That is a massive chunk of the population. Basically, about 1 in every 12 adults you see walking down the street has been convicted of a felony at some point in their life.
It’s a staggering number.
To put that in perspective, there are more people with felony records in America than there are active-duty military members, public school teachers, and letter carriers combined. We aren’t just talking about people in orange jumpsuits. We’re talking about your neighbors, your mechanics, and maybe even your coworkers.
The Numbers Behind "How Many Felons Are In The US"
If you search for official government counters, you won’t find one. There isn't a "Big Board" at the Department of Justice that ticks up every time someone is sentenced. Instead, we have to look at deep-dive sociological studies.
The gold standard for this is the work of Dr. Sarah Shannon from the University of Georgia and her colleagues. Their landmark study, which has been updated and cited by groups like the Prison Policy Initiative through 2025 and into 2026, reveals that the "felon" population has exploded since the 1980s.
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Back in 1980, only about 3% of the adult population had a felony. Now? It’s closer to 8% or 9%.
Why the jump? It’s not necessarily that Americans became "more criminal." It’s that we changed the rules. The "War on Drugs," mandatory minimums, and "three-strikes" laws turned thousands of lower-level offenses into life-altering felonies.
- Total with a criminal record: Roughly 77 million to 79 million (this includes arrests and misdemeanors).
- Total with a felony conviction: Approximately 19 to 24 million.
- Total currently in prison: About 1.2 million to 1.9 million (depending on whether you count local jails).
See the gap? The vast majority of "felons" are not in prison. They are out here, living, working, and trying to navigate a world that doesn't always want them back.
Life After the Verdict
Honestly, the word "felon" is kinda like a permanent digital tattoo. Once you have it, it’s there for life in most states. You've served your time, sure. But the "collateral consequences" are what really get people.
In many states, a felony means you can’t vote (though this is changing). It means you might be barred from living in certain public housing. It means you can't get a license to be a barber, a plumber, or even a nurse in some jurisdictions.
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According to the Sentencing Project, as of late 2024, about 4 million Americans were still barred from voting because of a previous felony. That is a lot of voices missing from the conversation just because of something that happened years, or even decades, ago.
A Disproportionate Impact
You can't talk about these stats without talking about race. It’s impossible.
The data from the University of Georgia shows that while about 8% of all adults have a felony, that number jumps to an incredible 33% for African American men. One-third. That is a systemic reality that reshapes entire communities.
When you have that many people with restricted access to jobs and housing, it creates a ripple effect. It’s not just a "criminal justice" issue; it’s an economic one.
Why the Number Keeps Growing
Even as some states move toward "decriminalization" for things like marijuana, the total number of felons keeps rising. This is mostly because of "recidivism" and the way probation works.
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If you're on probation for a felony and you miss a meeting or fail a drug test, you don't just get a ticket. You often go back to court, and that felony stays "active" on your record. It’s a loop.
Also, we’ve gotten way better at record-keeping. In the 70s, a felony in one county might not show up in a background check three states away. Today? A 10-second Google search or a $19 background check service brings everything to light.
What Actually Happens Next?
If you or someone you know is part of that 19-24 million, it’s not all doom and gloom. The "Second Chance" movement is gaining some serious steam in 2026.
- Clean Slate Laws: States like Pennsylvania and Michigan have started "automatic" expungement for certain non-violent felonies after a certain number of years.
- Ban the Box: More than 35 states now have laws that prevent employers from asking about your criminal history on the initial job application.
- Voting Rights: More states are restoring the right to vote the moment a person leaves prison, rather than making them wait for years of parole.
The reality is that "how many felons are in the us" isn't just a number. It's a reflection of how we handle mistakes. We are a country of second chances, but the data shows we make those second chances pretty hard to get.
Actionable Insights for Moving Forward
If you're looking at these stats and wondering what to do with them, here is the ground-level reality:
- Check your state's expungement laws. If you have a record, don't assume it's permanent. Many states updated their rules in 2024 and 2025.
- Support "Second Chance" employers. Companies like JPMorgan Chase and Slack have public initiatives to hire people with records.
- Stay informed on local legislation. Most changes to felony records happen at the state level, not federal. Your local vote actually changes who can get back to work.
Ultimately, the "1 in 12" statistic is a call for a more nuanced look at our neighbors. If 20 million people are living with this label, it's a part of the American story that we can't ignore anymore.
Next Steps:
- Search your state's official ".gov" portal for "Clean Slate" or "Expungement" eligibility.
- Look up "Ban the Box" laws in your specific city to see your rights during a job interview.
- Visit the Prison Policy Initiative website for the most granular, state-by-state data updates released this year.