Understanding the landscape of gang activity in the United States is critical to grasping the broader challenges of organized crime, community safety, and law enforcement strategy. Gangs are not just local street crews; many have evolved into sophisticated criminal enterprises with national and even international reach. Their influence extends beyond visible street violence into drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and corruption. This overview does not attempt to create a definitive “Top 50” list—because gang structures are fluid and constantly shifting—but instead categorizes the most significant and dangerous groups based on their presence, activities, and recognition by federal authorities.

Top 50 Most Dangerous Gangs In The USA

1. The Bloods

The Bloods are a nationwide street gang with over 20,000 members across multiple factions. Originating in Los Angeles, they expanded into the Northeast and Southeast. Known for their red colors and violent rivalry with the Crips, they engage in drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, and murder. Factions like United Blood Nation and Piru sets maintain influence in prisons and communities. Their decentralized structure allows adaptability, making them one of America’s most enduring and dangerous gangs.

2. The Crips

The Crips, with an estimated 30,000 members, are among the largest U.S. gangs. Founded in Los Angeles, they spread nationwide through independent sets. Identified by blue colors, they are infamous for their violent rivalry with the Bloods. Criminal activities include drug trafficking, homicide, carjackings, and arms smuggling. Sets like Rollin’ 60s and Hoover Criminals wield significant influence. Their loose organization fosters expansion but also internal conflict, cementing their role as a dominant force in gang violence.

3. Gangster Disciples (GDs)

The Gangster Disciples, numbering around 25,000, are a highly structured gang rooted in Chicago. They expanded across the Midwest and beyond, maintaining a national presence. Their symbols include the six‑pointed star and downward pitchforks. Known for organized drug distribution, murder, and corruption, they operate like a criminal enterprise rather than a loose street gang. Their leadership historically sought political influence, making them unique among gangs. Despite law enforcement crackdowns, GDs remain a powerful Midwest organization.

4. Latin Kings

The Latin Kings, with about 20,000 members, are one of the largest Hispanic street gangs in the U.S. Originating in Chicago, they expanded into New York and New England. Their colors are black and gold, and they operate under a hierarchical structure resembling a monarchy. Criminal activities include drug trafficking, assault, and homicide. Their organization and rituals distinguish them from other gangs, while their national reach ensures influence across multiple states. They remain a formidable force in gang culture.

5. MS‑13 (Mara Salvatrucha)

MS‑13, with roughly 10,000 U.S. members, is infamous for extreme brutality. Originating among Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles, they expanded to Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Texas. Tattoos and the number “13” mark their identity. Their crimes include drug distribution, racketeering, human trafficking, and assassination. Known for machete attacks and dismemberment, they instill fear in communities. Their transnational ties to Central America make them a unique threat, combining local violence with international criminal networks.

6. Sureños

Sureños, numbering about 30,000, are a network of cliques loyal to the Mexican Mafia. Based in Southern California, they expanded into the Southwest and beyond. Identified by blue colors and the number “13,” they engage in drug distribution, extortion, human trafficking, and murder. Their allegiance to prison gangs strengthens their influence both inside and outside prisons. Rivalries with Norteños fuel ongoing violence. Their decentralized yet cartel‑linked structure makes them one of the most dangerous Hispanic gangs.

7. Norteños

Norteños, with around 20,000 members, dominate Northern California. Identified by red colors and the number “14,” they are aligned with the Nuestra Familia prison gang. Their primary rivals are the Sureños, leading to frequent violent clashes. Criminal activities include drug trafficking, extortion, and homicide. Though smaller than Sureños, their strong organization and prison backing give them significant influence. Their regional dominance in Northern California makes them a critical player in the state’s gang landscape.

8. Mexican Mafia (“La Eme”)

The Mexican Mafia, or “La Eme,” is a powerful prison gang controlling much of California’s prison system. Though numbering only a few hundred members, their influence extends to tens of thousands of Sureños on the streets. They orchestrate drug trafficking, extortion, and murder from behind bars. Their authority is enforced through fear and loyalty, making them one of the most feared prison gangs. Their ability to control outside gangs from prison highlights their unique power.

9. Aryan Brotherhood (AB)

The Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist prison gang notorious for extreme violence. Despite having fewer than 1,000 members, they wield outsized influence through murder‑for‑hire, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Founded in California prisons, they maintain strict codes of loyalty and brutality. Their racial ideology fuels recruitment and cohesion, while their criminal enterprise extends beyond prison walls. Their reputation for ruthlessness makes them one of the most feared gangs in the American prison system.

10. Black Guerrilla Family (BGF)

The Black Guerrilla Family, founded in San Quentin prison, began with black nationalist and Marxist ideology. Over time, it evolved into a criminal enterprise involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and corruption. Though smaller than other gangs, their sophistication and political roots distinguish them. They are known for infiltrating prison staff and maintaining disciplined organization. Their influence extends into communities outside prison, making them a unique blend of ideological movement and violent criminal gang.

Top 50 Major Gangs in the United States (Summary Table)

#	Gang	Primary Locations	Known For
1	Bloods	Los Angeles; nationwide	Drug trafficking, robberies, shootings
2	Crips	Los Angeles; nationwide	Narcotics, weapons, violent rivalries
3	Gangster Disciples	Chicago, Midwest	Organized drug networks, extortion
4	Black Disciples	Chicago	Drug markets, shootings
5	Latin Kings	Chicago, NYC	Structured hierarchy, drug trade
6	MS-13	CA, NY, MD, VA, TX	Extreme violence, machetes, trafficking
7	Sureños	Southern CA, Southwest	Extortion, drug smuggling; tied to La Eme
8	Norteños	Northern CA	Drug trade; rivals of Sureños
9	18th Street Gang	LA, nationwide	High membership, violent extortion
10	Trinitarios	NYC, Northeast	Machete attacks, drug sales
11	Vice Lords	Chicago, Midwest	Organized crime, robberies
12	Four Corner Hustlers	Chicago	Drug distribution, violent turf wars
13	Black P. Stones	Chicago, LA	Narcotics, gang assaults
14	Mexican Mafia	CA prisons	Controlling Sureños, murder-for-hire
15	Nuestra Familia	CA prisons	Drug networks, extortion
16	Aryan Brotherhood	Federal & state prisons	Murder-for-hire, meth trafficking
17	Texas Syndicate	TX prisons	Drug networks, contract killings
18	Fresno Bulldogs	Central California	Independent gang, violent drug turf
19	Mexikanemi	Texas	Drug networks, extortion
20	Seguro 21	Southwest	Drug smuggling, extortion
21	Hells Angels	Nationwide	Drug trafficking, weapons, violence
22	Mongols Motorcycle Club	Southwest, West	Weapons trafficking, clashes with Hells Angels
23	Bandidos Motorcycle Club	Texas, Southwest	Drug smuggling, organized assaults
24	Outlaws Motorcycle Club	Midwest, South	Narcotics, weapons, rival clashes
25	Pagans Motorcycle Club	East Coast	Meth trafficking, assaults
26	Latin Counts	Chicago, Midwest	Drug sales, violent disputes
27	Tiny Rascal Gang	CA, MA, WA	Firearms trafficking, home invasions
28	Asian Boyz	West Coast	Drug trade, shootings
29	Wah Ching	CA	Fraud, extortion, money laundering
30	Menace of Destruction	CA, Midwest	Robberies, weapons trade
31	Harlem Crips	New York	Street shootings, drug trade
32	United Blood Nation	East Coast	Violent drug networks
33	Grape Street Watts Crips	Los Angeles	Drug turf conflicts
34	Rollin’ 60s Crips	Los Angeles	Armed robberies, shootings
35	Hoover Criminals	Los Angeles	Drug markets, violence
36	Bounty Hunter Bloods	Los Angeles	Aggressive street violence
37	Piru Bloods	LA & national sets	Drug trade, assaults
38	Brown Pride	Southwest	Narcotics, territorial violence
39	East Coast Crips	LA	Turf violence, drug sales
40	Sinaloa-Linked U.S. Cliques	Southwest	Drug smuggling corridors
41	CJNG-Linked U.S. Cells	Southwest & Midwest	Meth/fentanyl distribution
42	Tribal Mafia	Southeast	Meth production, weapons
43	Juggalos	Nationwide	Hybrid crime, assaults
44	Kitchen Crips	Los Angeles	Drug corners, shootings
45	Latin Eagles	Chicago	Narcotics, violent clashes
46	Simon City Royals	Chicago, South	Drug trade, weapons
47	Westside Locos	LA	Street violence, narcotics
48	Logan Heights Gang	San Diego	Cartel ties, shootings
49	Florencia 13	Southern CA	Drug trade, cartel cooperation
50	Barrio Azteca	Texas–Mexico border	Assassinations, cartel operations

Closing

The reality of gang activity in America is complex, dynamic, and deeply intertwined with social, economic, and international factors. While certain groups dominate headlines for their violence or size, others exert quieter but equally destructive influence through organized crime networks. A “dangerous gang” can be defined in many ways—by brutality, reach, or economic power—and those definitions shift over time. What remains constant is the need for vigilance, community resilience, and informed understanding. By studying these organizations in context, we gain not only awareness of their impact but also insight into the broader systemic issues that allow them to thrive.