Kentucky
The latest Kentucky annual gun death data.
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841 Gun Deaths in Kentucky
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
260
HOMICIDES
542
SUICIDES
39
OTHER
48
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased by 31% from 2014 to 2023.
Kentucky had the 16th highest overall gun death rate in the country in 2023.
Kentucky had the second highest gun suicide rate in the country overall among Black people in 2023.
Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
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 ten hours.
Gun violence costs Kentuckians $9 billion annually.
This amounts to $1,986 per person.
Firearm Homicide in Kentucky
4X
Males were nearly four times as likely to die by firearm homicide than females.
1/2
More than half (52%) of all gun homicides were young people ages 15-34.
11X
Black people were 11 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
29%
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.4% of the state’s population but accounted for 29% of all gun homicides in 2023.
6X
Black females were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than white females.
Firearm Suicide in Kentucky
6X
Males were over six times as likely to die by gun suicide than females.
56%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 23% of the population in Kentucky but 56% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023.
43%
43% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023 were over the age of 54.
Guns are used in the majority of homicides & 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. 2021-2023
*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.
Factsheet: Gun Violence in Kentucky
Download and share our state factsheet on the most recent CDC data on gun violence in Kentucky.
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