The American alligator is a remarkable reptile native to the southeastern United States, thriving in a variety of wetland habitats. Once endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss, this species is now a conservation success story, with populations rebounding thanks to protective measures and habitat preservation efforts. Today, an estimated 4.1 – 4.3 million American alligators can be found in the United States.
Alligator populations vary widely across the states in their range, influenced by factors such as climate, habitat availability, and conservation programs. This article explores the distribution and estimated population numbers of American alligators by state, offering a detailed look at where these iconic reptiles are most abundant and the efforts that have ensured their survival.
American Alligator Population in 10 States
There are only 10 states in the U.S. where American alligators currently live and breed: Florida, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. These states provide the necessary warm and wet climates they need to survive. Their distribution may expand slightly beyond these states due to migrations and introductions, but the above states represent their established range.
| State | Estimated American Alligator Population | Primary Habitats | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 70,000 | Statewide but mainly in the south. Habitats include swamps, lakes, rivers, coastal marshes and reservoirs. Notable spots: Redstone Arsenal, Swan Creek WMA, Brown’s Ferry Nuclear Plant, and Wheeler NWR. | Stable |
| Arkansas | 2,000 – 3,000 | Southern half of the state in freshwater wetlands. Notable spots: Arkansas Post National Memorial, Millwood State Park, and the Ouachita River. | Stable |
| Florida | 1.3 million | Freshwater habitats, brackish water in all 67 Florida counties | Stable |
| Georgia | 200,000-250,000 | Wetlands & rivers, mainly south of the fall line in the Coastal Plain | Stable |
| Louisiana | 2 million | Most live in the state’s coastal marshes as well as cypress-tupelo swamps and lakes. Notable spots: Rockefeller Refuge, Cameron-Prairie Wildlife Refuge, Sabine Wildlife Refuge. | Stable |
| Mississippi | 32,000 – 38,000 | Rivers, marshes. Found throughout the state but much more prevalent in the southeast. | Stable |
| North Carolina | 1,000 | Coastal plain, rivers, mainly in the counties of Brunswick, New Hanover, Craven, Columbus, Onslow and Pender. | Stable |
| Oklahoma | 150 – 200 + | Red River and Little River systems of Choctaw, McCurtain, Bryan and Love counties | Stable |
| South Carolina | 100,000 | Rivers and wetlands in the coastal plains region | Stable |
| Texas | 400,000 – 500,000 | Gulf Coastal Plains, East & South Texas, Brazos River Valley. | Stable |
1. Alabama
Population estimate: about 70,000 alligators
Alabama was one of the first states to put protections in place in the late 1930’s, to save alligator populations that had been decimated from overhunting in the early 1900’s. The Wheeler Natural Wildlife Refuge is one area that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has moved alligators into, in hopes of growing a healthy population. While some people may view their presence as unnatural for the area, historical accounts of their presence in the state date back to the late 1800s. Today they are mainly found in southern parts of the state, but are scattered throughout. It is estimated that in the southern part of the state where most of the alligators live, there are about 70,000.
It can be a tricky situation when development for housing encroaches on their natural habitat. A housing boom in the Huntville-Decatur-Madison region has meant swampland being turned into housing developments, and subdivisions being built right up against alligator habitat like the Redstone Arsenal. This will surely increase incidents of human-alligator interaction, which will be closely monitored as the alligators are still a federally protected species.
2. Arkansas
Population estimate: Approximately 2,000-3,000 alligators
The best estimate we could find of alligator populations in Arkansas were between 2,000 – 3,000 individuals. Thanks to conservation efforts, the alligator population in Arkansas has stabilized, though it remains smaller and more localized compared to states like Louisiana and Florida. Today, American alligators in Arkansas are classified as a species of least concern, with regulated hunting permitted in specific areas to maintain population control and balance within their habitats.
The American alligator population in Arkansas began to decline significantly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to overhunting for their hides, unregulated hunting, and habitat loss caused by wetland drainage and land conversion. By the mid-20th century, alligators were nearly extirpated (locally extinct) from Arkansas, with only a few scattered individuals remaining. From 1972 to 1984, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) released more than 2,800 alligators into suitable wetland habitats, primarily in southern and southeastern Arkansas, where conditions were ideal. These areas included protected wetlands, rivers, and swamps that offered food and cover for the growing population.
3. Florida
Population estimate: About 1.3 million alligators
Florida has a huge population of American alligators, second only to its neighbor Louisiana. Current estimates are at about 1.3 million gators, found all throughout the state. Florida Fish & Wildlife takes an annual alligator census of various waterways, and has found that Lake Okeechobee has the highest alligator population, followed by Orange Lake, Lake Jesup, and Lake Kissimmee. The state provides a perfect environment for alligators to thrive, with warm temperatures year-round, vast freshwater wetlands, lakes, rivers, and marshes offering abundant food and shelter.
With how many alligators are present today, it may seem hard to believe there was a time when they weren’t so populous. The alligator population in Florida experienced a significant decline during the mid-20th century due to overhunting and habitat loss. Unregulated hunting for their hides and meat, combined with the drainage of wetlands for agriculture and urban development, drastically reduced their numbers.
By the 1960s, alligator populations in Florida were at a historical low. Recognizing the species’ critical status, the federal government listed the American alligator as endangered in 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation Act. Hunting bans, wetland preservation, sustainable alligator farming programs and species management were all part of a targeted conservation effort that managed to bring populations up enough to take the alligator off the endangered species list by 1987.
4. Georgia
Population estimate: 200,000 – 250,000
Current estimates of American alligators in Georgia by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources put the states population at approximately 200,000 – 250,000. The Georgia DNR states that there is no evidence of alligators reproducing north of the “fall line”, a geological boundary that separates the Piedmont region to the north from the Coastal Plain to the south. It is characterized by a sharp drop in elevation, where harder, rocky terrain transitions to softer, sandy soils, and the vast majority of alligators live in this southern region.
Like other states, Georgia’s alligator population was in dire straits by the 1950’s and 60’s, and has since rebounded due to dedicated conservation programs. One of the largest collections of alligators in Georgia lives in the Okefenokee swamp. This swamp in southeastern Georgia is the largest blackwater wetland ecosystem in all of North America, and is considered the ‘least disturbed’ freshwater ecosystem on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This massive wetland is home to 10,000 – 13,000 of the states alligators.
5. Louisiana
Population estimate: Approximately 2 million alligators
Coming in at around 2 million alligators, Louisiana currently holds the title as state with the highest American alligator population. An impressive conservation feat considering that 50 years ago the number was closer to 100,000.
Louisiana’s Alligator Management Program has successfully increased the wild alligator population from fewer than 100,000 to over 2 million in the past 50 years through a combination of conservation measures and sustainable utilization. Initially, all hunting was banned to allow the population to stabilize, followed by studies to understand nesting and habitat needs. Recognizing the importance of wetlands, the state incentivized landowners—who control 80% of the wetlands—by implementing controlled harvests starting in 1972 and expanding statewide.
Regulated quotas, based on detailed nest surveys, provided economic benefits to landowners, hunters, and rural communities. An alligator ranching program was introduced in the 1980s, allowing farmers to raise hatchlings collected as eggs and requiring them to return 10% of healthy young alligators to the wild, ensuring a stable population.
The program generates significant economic impact, estimated at $245 million annually, through consumptive uses like meat and hides and non-consumptive activities like ecotourism. By valuing alligators as a resource, Louisiana protects wetlands that support numerous other species, making the program a model for wildlife management. If you’re wondering which lakes in the state have the highest alligator population, the top four are Lake Martin, Caddo Lake, Cross Lake and Cypress Lake.
6. Mississippi
Population estimate: Around 32,000–38,000 alligators
Mississippi is home to an estimated 32,000–38,000 alligators across about 408,000 acres of habitat, with the largest populations concentrated in southern counties. Jackson County alone contains 57,000 acres of habitat and about 7,500 alligators, representing 24% of the state’s total. Hancock and Rankin Counties also have significant populations, with 3,900 and 2,400 alligators, respectively. Rankin County boasts the highest alligator densities in the state, averaging 7.35 alligators per mile, particularly around Ross Barnett Reservoir and the Pearl River. Northern Mississippi counties report fewer alligators, and years when winter temperatures are quite low, populations tend to be significantly impacted.
Mississippi implemented an alligator reintroduction program in the 1970s to restore declining populations. Due to overhunting and habitat loss, alligator numbers had significantly decreased. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) initiated efforts to reintroduce alligators into suitable habitats across the state. These efforts, combined with protective regulations and habitat conservation, have been successful.
7. North Carolina
Population estimate: Around 1,000 alligators
While we weren’t able to find any estimates reported by government or state agencies, some sources around the internet are listing populations around 1,000 gators. The NCWRC has conducted surveys to assess alligator populations, particularly in the coastal plain regions. While specific numbers are not always published, their studies indicate that alligators are primarily found in the southeastern counties, with populations considered stable but limited compared to more southern states.
North Carolina marks the northernmost edge of the alligator’s range, with their numbers decreasing as you move north along the coast. Climate plays a critical role, as the frequency of cold weather limits their “growing season” and affects their survival and reproduction. The colder winters in North Carolina result in slower growth rates, less frequent reproduction, and a higher risk of local population declines compared to alligators in warmer southern states.
8. Oklahoma
Population estimate: Around 150 – 200+ alligators
It may be a surprise to see Oklahoma on this list, but historically the Gulf Coastal Plain in southeastern Oklahoma has always been home to alligators. American alligators are primarily found in the Red River and Little River systems of Choctaw, McCurtain, Bryan and Love counties. The alligator population in Oklahoma is relatively small, with unofficial estimates ranging from 150 to 200 individuals.
This modest number is due to the state’s position at the northwestern edge of the alligator’s natural range, where cooler climates limit their distribution. Oklahoma has not implemented a specific program aimed at increasing alligator numbers. However, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) monitors the existing population to ensure its stability. In recent years, researchers have tagged over 170 alligators to study their distribution and health, indicating ongoing efforts to understand and preserve the species within the state.
9. South Carolina
Population estimate: Around 100,000 alligators
Like many other states, South Carolina saw a decline in alligators followed by a resurgence in their population after federal protections were put into place. An alligator project leader for the SCDNR was quoted as saying that American alligator populations in South Carolina have been stable since at least the late 90s. Their population numbers were so strong that an alligator hunting season was instituted in 2008 and about 300-400 alligators are harvested annually. Today, populations are estimated at 100,000 total in South Carolina.
In South Carolina, American alligators are primarily found in the coastal plain region, which stretches from the coastline to the fall line, a natural boundary separating the coastal plain from the Piedmont. Some notable areas for alligators in the state are Congaree National Park, major rivers like Congaree, Santee and Edisto, lakes including Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, and brackish water marshes and estuaries including Francis Marion National Forest and ACE Basin.
10. Texas
Population estimate: 400,000 – 500,000 alligators
Texas is considered the western limit for the American Alligators range. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says that tracking alligator populations isn’t easy, in part to the creatures shy and reclusive nature, but they estimate the statewide population to be about 400,000 – 500,000 individuals.
In Texas, American alligators are predominantly found in the eastern third of the state, thriving in habitats such as swamps, rivers, bayous, and marshes. Key areas with significant alligator populations include the Gulf Coastal Plains, East Texas counties including Jefferson, Chambers and Orange, and the Brazos River Valley.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) conducts aerial nest surveys and nighttime “spotlight” counts to monitor alligator populations and assess habitat conditions. With the recovery of alligator populations, Texas established a regulated hunting program, issuing special permits to ensure sustainable management.
Unusual Alligators Sightings
The ten states we’ve listed here represent the native habitat of the American Alligator, but these impressive reptiles have popped up all over the country. It’s not unusual to see at least a few news stories each year about an alligator being found somewhere far from it’s natural habitat, like in Lake Erie or California. Unfortunately, this nearly always occurs because an alligator was being kept as a pet and either escaped or was abandoned by its owner.
People often dump alligators because they underestimate the challenges of keeping them as pets. Alligators grow rapidly, becoming large, aggressive, and unmanageable, often outgrowing the space and resources their owners can provide. They require specialized care, including a temperature-controlled habitat and a diet of whole prey, which many owners are unprepared to maintain.
In some cases, ownership is illegal or heavily regulated, and people release the animals to avoid legal trouble. Others mistakenly believe releasing them into the wild is humane, not realizing this harms the alligator and local ecosystems. These actions highlight the risks of impulsive exotic pet ownership and the importance of understanding an animal’s long-term needs.
Releasing alligators into the wild can lead to ecological disruption, conflicts with humans, and suffering for the animal, especially if the climate is unsuitable. Conservationists and wildlife agencies strongly discourage the practice and emphasize the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Conclusion
The American alligator is a testament to the success of conservation efforts in the United States. Once on the brink of extinction due to overhunting and habitat destruction, these remarkable reptiles have rebounded thanks to protective legislation, habitat restoration, and sustainable management practices.
Today, alligator populations are thriving in their native range, with millions inhabiting the wetlands and waterways of the southeastern states. By exploring their distribution and population numbers by state, we can appreciate the resilience of this species and the importance of continued efforts to preserve the ecosystems they call home.
Melanie has a degree in Environmental Science and has always been interested in all things nature from wildlife to plants. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, travel, reading, photography and crochet.