South Carolina
The latest South Carolina annual gun death data.
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1,019 Gun Deaths in South Carolina
Based on most recent available finalized data from CDC (2023).
453
HOMICIDES
533
SUICIDES
33
OTHER
55
YOUNG PEOPLE (1-17)
Key Takeaways
The overall gun death rate increased by 60% from 2014 to 2023.
South Carolina had the 7th highest age-adjusted gun homicide rate in the country in 2023.
Firearms were the second leading cause of death among young people ages 1-17 in 2023.
In 2022, there were at least 55 domestic violence-related homicides in South Carolina. 58% 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 nine hours.
Gun violence costs South Carolinians $12.1 billion annually.
This amounts to $2,291 per person.
Firearm Homicide in South Carolina
6X
While males were six times as likely to die by gun homicide than females, South Carolina also had the 8th highest gun homicide rate for females in the country in 2023.
9X
Black people were nine times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
21X
Young Black males ages 15-34 made up 3.6% of the state’s population but accounted for 46% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023. They were 21 times as likely to die by gun homicide than their white counterparts.
4X
Black females were four times as likely to die from gun homicide as their white counterparts.
Firearm Suicide in South Carolina
6X
Males were six times as likely to die by gun suicide than females.
54%
White males over the age of 34 accounted for 18.6% of the population in South Carolina but 54% of all gun suicide deaths in 2023.
41%
41% 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 South Carolina
Download and share our factsheet on the most recent CDC data on gun violence in South Carolina.
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