Does Sioux Falls’ civilian population have the third-highest rate of sex offenders in the nation?

An article by security.org that said Sioux Falls has the third-highest rate of sex offenders per capita is misleading.

The 2024 article says Sioux Falls has 65.3 registered sex offenders per 10,000 people, putting the city in third behind Wilmington, Delaware (93.46) and Orlando, Florida (69.93).

According to the South Dakota Sex Offender Registry, Sioux Falls has 1,285 registered sex offenders as of July 20, which would be 62 per 10,000 people. However, that data – along with that published by security.org – includes inmates currently housed in the state penitentiary.

Of the 1,285 offenders, 315 are listed as inmates. Without the penitentiary and county jail, Sioux Falls’ rate is 47 per 10,000. Other cities’ data includes inmates, if applicable, but the size and number of facilities can vary. In addition, different laws and data collection between states can make comparisons difficult.