The majority of Sureño gang members are male and of Hispanic origin.  However, whites, blacks, and other ethnic minorities are also found to pledge alliance to Sureño gangs.  The age of gang members covers a broad spectrum from children, who are as young as 9 or 10 years old, to adults, who are in their 50s.  Although, most Sureño gang members are in their late teens to early 30s.  Sureños are found in nearly every state but are most dominant in the west.

Sureño gang tattoos usually contain the number and/or words SUR (Southern United Raza), Sureño, 13, X3, or XIII.  The number 13 represents the 13th letter of the alphabet M, which denotes the Mexican Mafia alliance.  The Mexican Mafia is also referred to as La EME, which is Spanish for the letter M.  La EME orginated in the 1960’s when sixteen leaders from the East Los Angeles barrios formed an allegiance to control prison narcotics trade.  Regardless of how the number 13 appears, the meaning is the same; its alliance is to Southern California.
 
Sureño gangs typically identify themselves with the color blue.  In addition to the color blue, Sureño gang members also wear silver and black clothing items.  The major clothing brand associated with this group is the Oakland Raiders, which was previously the Los Angeles Raiders.