Despite the comprehensiveness of the 1995 survey sample, it was not statistically representative; thus, the data could not be extrapolated for jurisdictions that either did not respond to the survey or were not included in the sample. Therefore, a statistically representative sample was used for the 1996 and 1997 surveys. As a result, the estimated number of jurisdictions with active youth gangs in 1996 and 1997 was higher than in 1995.

In 1997, an estimated 4,712 cities and counties in the United States experienced gang activity, down slightly from 4,824 in 1996. Table 8 shows the reported and estimated numbers of jurisdictions with active youth gangs in 1996 and 1997, by area type. Table 9 highlights the percentage of difference between the estimated number of jurisdictions with active youth gangs in 1996 and in 1997, by area type. Rural counties had the largest decrease (6.7 percent) in the estimated number of jurisdictions with active youth gangs from 1996 to 1997, followed by large cities (3.2 percent), suburban counties (2.1 percent), and small cities (1.2 percent). Appendix G and appendix H show the number and percentage of jurisdictions reporting active youth gangs in 1997, by population size and region and by area type and region, respectively.