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California Sex Offender Information

This page provides a state-level overview of registered-offender listings in California, including totals, per-capita density, and ZIP Code-level breakdowns. Data is drawn from publicly available registry listing records and population estimates. Use this page to understand statewide patterns and to explore ZIP Codes within California.

Important: Registry listings are shaped by state laws, enforcement practices, and registration duration. These statistics do not measure offense prevalence or individual risk.

Last updated: January 2026 • Data coverage: 50-state public registry listing records

Quick Facts

  • State: California (CA)
  • Official registry: Visit California official registry
  • Last updated: January 2026
  • Data coverage: 50-state public registry listing records (excluding territories)

State-Level Statistics

Total Registry Listings (State)
93,957
Listings per 100,000 Residents
239.4
Compared to National Average
1.01×
US average = 1.00

Interpretation

Per-capita density (per 100,000 residents) is the best way to compare registry listing levels across states. Differences across states can reflect legal definitions, registration requirements, duration rules, and public reporting practices—not underlying offending behavior.

Top ZIP Codes in California

Top 10 ZIP Codes by Total Registry Listings

This table highlights ZIP Codes with the highest total number of registered offenders based on publicly available registry data. Rankings reflect raw volume only and do not account for population size.

Top 10 ZIP Codes by total registry listings
RankZIP CodeRegistry Listings
195206338
290003322
395205319
493706305
592509304
690044288
793722285
890037264
995112246
1093307231

Top 10 ZIP Codes by Registry Listing Density (per 100,000 residents)

This table ranks ZIP Codes by the number of registered sex offenders per capita to provide population-adjusted context. ZIPs with missing or zero population in ACS data were excluded to avoid invalid values.

Top 10 ZIP Codes by density per 100k residents
RankZIP CodeListingsPopulationDensity /100k
190073201,0531,899.3
290021553,1521,744.9
3952021106,4261,711.8
49001320714,8911,390.1
593453242,0031,198.2
69370111410,2581,111.3
7900141059,5401,100.6
895464262,4171,075.7
995968141,3461,040.1
1093544121,201999.2

Key Finding: In California, registry listings are geographically concentrated: a small number of ZIP Codes account for a meaningful share of the statewide total.

How Registration Works in California

State Registry Links

  • California official registry: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
  • National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW): https://www.nsopw.gov/

Registration Basics

  • Who must register: People convicted of specified registerable offenses under California's Sex Offender Registration Act must register. This includes many felony and misdemeanor sex offenses and certain other offenses designated by statute. California also has separate provisions for when a juvenile is ordered to register.Cal. Penal Code § 290, § 290.008, § 290.015
  • How long registration lasts: California uses a tiered registration system. Minimum registration periods are generally: Tier 1 (at least 10 years), Tier 2 (at least 20 years), Tier 3 (generally lifetime). Some registrants in Tier 1 or Tier 2 may petition to terminate the duty to register after the minimum period (subject to eligibility rules). Registration continues unless and until a court grants relief.Cal. Penal Code § 290.5
  • Public visibility: California DOJ maintains the public Megan's Law website, but not every registrant is publicly listed. The information displayed online is limited to what California law authorizes for internet disclosure.Cal. Penal Code § 290.46
  • Address changes / compliance: California requires ongoing in-person registration maintenance with the local registering agency. Annual update is generally within 5 working days of the registrant's birthday. If transient (no fixed residence), additional reporting requirements apply, including at least every 30 days, plus the annual update. Other changes must be reported in the manner and timeframe required by California's registration statutes. Failure to comply can result in criminal penalties.Cal. Penal Code § 290.011, § 290.015

Update Cadence: Registry records and registration obligations may change as people move, update information, change tier status, or obtain court-ordered relief. This content reflects a general overview and may not represent real-time registry data.

FAQs about California Sex Offender Registry

Does this data show risk or crime rates?

No. It reflects registry listings, which are shaped by law and administration.

Why are some ZIP Codes higher than others?

Differences can reflect population density, housing patterns, supervision rules, and reporting practices.

Is this the same as the state's official registry?

This page summarizes public listing records and links to the official registry for verification.

Get Comprehensive California Sex Offender Searches

KidsLiveSafe provides detailed sex offender searches, interactive maps, and automated alerts for California and all 50 states.

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Disclaimer: This page provides informational summaries of public registry listing records and population estimates. It does not predict risk, measure offense prevalence, or provide legal advice. For the most current information, consult the official California registry.

By: KidsLiveSafe Research Team

Reviewed by: Compliance Lead

Sources: CA DOJ Megan's Law, NSOPW

Last updated: January 2026

Methodology: California registry data sourced from CA DOJ Megan's Law and cross-referenced with NSOPW records.

Resources

Parent GuideA complete guide to child safety for parents and caregivers
  • Registered Sex Offenders
  • Megan's Law
  • National Sex Offender Registry
  • How to Find Sex Offenders
  • Sex Offenders by ZIP Code
  • Sex Offender Map
  • Sex Offender Registry Comparison
  • Family Safety Resources
  • Sex Offender Registry FAQs

Data Studies

  • The Aging of the Registered-Offender Population in the United States
  • Victim Age Context in Registered-Offender Convictions (United States)
  • State-Level Race/Ethnicity Representation on Registered-Offender Registries (Exploratory, 50 States)
  • The 2026 Summer Digital Exposure Index: An Analysis of Seasonal Minor Screen Spikes
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