Iowa
The latest Iowa annual gun death data.
341 Gun Deaths in Iowa
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
73
HOMICIDES
266
SUICIDES
2
OTHER
18
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased by 40% from 2014 to 2023.
Iowa had the 10th lowest gun death rate in the country in 2023.
Firearms were the second leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 from 2019 to 2023.
In 2022, there were at least 26 domestic violence-related homicides in Iowa. 62% percent were by firearm.
County Firearm Death Data
This map shows county-level firearm death data from 2020–2024. Users can filter to view overall firearm deaths, firearm homicides, or firearm suicides. Death counts reflect the total number of deaths between 2020–2024 while rates represent the average annual rate during this period. The map includes finalized CDC mortality data through 2023 and preliminary data for 2024, providing a snapshot of COVID-era and post-COVID trends. All data comes from CDC WONDER.*
An average of one person killed every day.
Gun violence cost Iowans $3.8 billion annually.
This amounts to $1,180 per person.
Firearm Homicide in Iowa
58%
58% of all gun homicides in 2023 were people between the ages of 15 to 34.
14X
Black people were 14 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
32%
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 0.8% of the total population in Iowa, but 32% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023.
Firearm Suicide in Iowa
9X
Males were nine times as likely to die by gun suicide than females.
64%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 24% of the population in Iowa but 64% of all gun suicide deaths in 2022.
40%
40% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023 were people over the age of 54.
Guns are used in the majority of homicides and suicides.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death. Age-adjusted Gun Deaths and Rates per 100,000. WONDER Online Database, 1999-2023; & WISQARS. National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and Cost of Injury Modules. 2022
*CDC WONDER data limitations:
- Map results are labeled “unreliable” when there are fewer than 20 deaths.
- Map data are suppressed (not shown) for counties with fewer than 10 deaths.
- Map totals may include "other" gun deaths that are not reflected in homicide or suicide totals.
