GUN DEATHS BY INTENT, 2019
In 2019, 300 West Virginians died by gun violence. Suicides were 65% of the gun deaths and homicides were 25%.
TRENDS OVER TIME
Age-adjusted rate per 100,000
Total gun death rate
Firearm homicide rate
Firearm suicide rate
County Variations
Age-adjusted gun death rate per 100,000
- 8.13 to 15.23
- 15.24 to 22.34
- 22.35 to 29.45
- 29.46 to 36.50
- Suppressed /
Unreliable
[{"county":"Barbour","data":"14.69","test":14.69,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Berkeley","data":"13.66","test":13.66,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Boone","data":"16.57","test":16.57,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Braxton","data":"23.57","test":23.57,"label":"leg-2"},{"county":"Brooke","data":"16.15","test":16.15,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Cabell","data":"14.91","test":14.91,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Calhoun","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Clay","data":"32.83","test":32.83,"label":"leg-3"},{"county":"Doddridge","data":"25.77","test":25.77,"label":"leg-2"},{"county":"Fayette","data":"16.02","test":16.02,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Gilmer","data":"Suppressed","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Grant","data":"16.23","test":16.23,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Greenbrier","data":"18.76","test":18.76,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Hampshire","data":"11.97","test":11.97,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Hancock","data":"11.65","test":11.65,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Hardy","data":"15.91","test":15.91,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Harrison","data":"15.99","test":15.99,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Jackson","data":"12.45","test":12.45,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Jefferson","data":"9.26","test":9.26,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Kanawha","data":"19.45","test":19.45,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Lewis","data":"17.43","test":17.43,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Lincoln","data":"15.35","test":15.35,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Logan","data":"15","test":15,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Marion","data":"14.31","test":14.31,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Marshall","data":"13.19","test":13.19,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Mason","data":"18.83","test":18.83,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"McDowell","data":"36.5","test":36.5,"label":"leg-3"},{"county":"Mercer","data":"22.1","test":22.1,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Mineral","data":"12.18","test":12.18,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Mingo","data":"13.92","test":13.92,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Monongalia","data":"10.78","test":10.78,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Monroe","data":"18.11","test":18.11,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Morgan","data":"21.28","test":21.28,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Nicholas","data":"23.53","test":23.53,"label":"leg-2"},{"county":"Ohio","data":"8.13","test":8.13,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Pendleton","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Pleasants","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Pocahontas","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Preston","data":"14.68","test":14.68,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Putnam","data":"9.52","test":9.52,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Raleigh","data":"19.83","test":19.83,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Randolph","data":"20.05","test":20.05,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Ritchie","data":"21.81","test":21.81,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Roane","data":"25.98","test":25.98,"label":"leg-2"},{"county":"Summers","data":"19.79","test":19.79,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Taylor","data":"15.53","test":15.53,"label":"leg-1"},{"county":"Tucker","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Tyler","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Upshur","data":"13.3","test":13.3,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Wayne","data":"13.16","test":13.16,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Webster","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Wetzel","data":"14.94","test":14.94,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Wirt","data":"Unreliable","test":0,"label":"leg-na"},{"county":"Wood","data":"11.84","test":11.84,"label":"leg-0"},{"county":"Wyoming","data":"19.96","test":19.96,"label":"leg-1"}]
Among the counties in West Virginia, McDowell County had the highest gun death rate, followed by Clay County and Roane County.
Conversely, Ohio County had the lowest gun death rate, followed by Jefferson County and Putnam County.
FIREARM HOMICIDES
76
firearm homicides in 2019
21st
highest firearm homicide rate in the U.S.
Gun Deaths by Intent
One in four gun deaths were homicides in 2019.
Homicide by Method
The majority of homicides were committed with firearms in 2019.
Demographics
In West Virginia, young Black males are disproportionately impacted by firearm homicide. Black males aged 15-34 have a firearm homicide rate 8 times higher than White males of the same age group.
Note: Based on a five-year average (2015-2019).
FIREARM SUICIDES
196
firearm suicides in 2019, including
13
children and teens
17th
highest firearm suicide rate in the U.S.
Gun Deaths by Intent
Nearly 2/3 of gun deaths were suicides in 2019.
Suicide by Method
Nearly 3/5 of suicides were by firearm in 2019.
Demographics
In West Virginia, White males ages 75+ are at highest risk for firearm suicide.
Note: Based on a five-year average (2015-2019).
Resources
Additional Information
Notes
- All rates listed are age-adjusted in order to allow for accurate comparisons between populations with different age distributions.
- All data is from 2019, the most recent year of data available, unless otherwise indicated.
- Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. WONDER Online Database, 1999-2019. Available: http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html.
Last updated March 2021
