Pennsylvania
The latest Pennsylvania annual gun death data.
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1,807 Gun Deaths in Pennsylvania
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
693
HOMICIDES
1,077
SUICIDES
37
OTHER
68
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased by 30% from 2014 to 2023.
Firearms were the leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
52% of all gun homicides occurred in Philadelphia County in 2023 even though it makes up 12% of the state’s overall population.
In 2022, there were at least 76 domestic violence-related homicides in Pennsylvania. 63% 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 five hours.
Gun violence costs Pennsylvanians more than $20.9 billion annually.
This amounts to $1,610 per person.
Firearm Homicide in Pennsylvania
6X
Males were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than females.
22X
Black people were 22 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
6X
Hispanic/Latino people were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
38%
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 2% of the state’s population but accounted for 38% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023.
8X
Black females were eight times as likely to die by gun homicide than white females.
Firearm Suicide in Pennsylvania
8X
Males were eight times as likely to die by gun suicide than females.
62%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 22% of the population in Pennsylvania but 62% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023.
50%
Half (50%) 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. 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.
Factsheet: Gun Violence in Pennsylvania
Download and share our state factsheet with the most recent CDC data on gun violence in Pennsylvania.
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