Suicide mortality in the U.S. mapped

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Suicide is a significant national public health problem in the U.S. The United States has one of the highest suicide rates amongst wealthy countries. According to the Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), in 2018, there were more than 48 thousand registered suicides. For comparison, in 2014 was recorded up less than 42 thousand cases. The annual suicide rate is 13.42 per 100 thousand individuals. 

On average, the yearly U.S. suicide rate grew by 24 percent between 1999 and 2014, from 10.5 to 13.0 suicides per 100 thousand people. In 2016, the CDC published data revealing that the suicide rate had hit a 30-year high, and later published additional data showing that the rate has continued to grow and has risen in every U.S. state except Nevada since 1999. 

Suicide rate by U.S. State (1999 – 2013)

In 2015, suicide was the 14th leading cause of females’ death and the 7th leading cause of males’ mortality. Moreover, it was the 2nd leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 34 and the 3rd leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 14.

From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among Americans aged 35 to 64 increased by almost 30%. The most significant increases were between women aged 60 to 64, with rates rising 60%, then men in their fifties, with rates increasing approximately 50%.

There are significant variations in the suicide rates of the different U.S. states, changing from 28.9 per 100 thousand people in Montana to 6.4 per 100 thousand people in the District of Columbia.

Suicide mortality rate by U.S. county

The U.S. states ranked by suicides per 100,000 individuals, 2017
1. Montana — 28.9 
2. Alaska — 27.1
3. Wyoming — 26.7
4. New Mexico — 23.3
5. Idaho — 23.2
6. Utah — 22.7
7. South Dakota — 22.4
8. West Virginia — 21.2
9. Arkansas — 20.7
10. North Dakota — 20.5
11. Colorado — 20.4
12. Nevada — 20.3
13. Oklahoma — 19.1
14. Kansas — 19
14. Oregon — 19
16, Maine — 18.8
16. New Hampshire — 18.8
18. Missouri — 18.5
19. Vermont — 18.4
20. Arizona — 18.1
21. Kentucky — 17
22. Tennessee — 16.9
22. Washington — 16.9
24. Alabama — 16.6
25. Indiana — 16.4
26. South Carolina — 16.2
27. Wisconsin — 15.5
28. Louisiana — 15.2
29. Iowa — 15.1
30. Hawaii — 15
30. Mississippi — 15
30. Pennsylvania — 15
33. Ohio — 14.8
34. Nebraska — 14.7
35. North Carolina — 14.3
36. Michigan — 14.1
37. Florida — 13.9
37. Minnesota — 13.9
39. Georgia — 13.6
40. Texas — 13.3
40. Virginia — 13.3
42. Rhode Island — 11.8
43. Delaware — 11.6
44. Illinois — 11.2
45. Connecticut — 10.5
46. California — 10.4
47. Maryland — 9.9
48. Massachusetts — 9.4
49. New Jersey — 8.4
50. New York — 8.1
51. D.C. — 6.4

Quick facts:

• On average, there are 133 suicides per day.
• Men commit suicide 3.53x more frequently than women.
• White males accounted for 7 of 10 suicides in 2016.
• The rate of suicide is highest in middle age.
• About half of the suicides are performed using a firearm, considering 2/3 of all firearm deaths.