Gun Deaths in the US: Analyzing At-Risk Demographics in 2025

Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Black Americans are 3 times more likely to die from gun deaths than White Americans.
Native Americans are the second most at-risk demographic for gun deaths in the U.S. at 15 to 22 deaths per 100,000.
Non-Hispanic White Americans have a lower gun death rate than Native or Black Americans at 12 to 13 per 100,000, but account for the most total deaths.
Men are 4.8 times more likely to die from gunshot wounds than women.

We provide accurate and reliable information sourced from reputable databases. Our sources for this article are available HERE.

The Most At-Risk Demographics

Gun deaths in the U.S. disproportionately affect certain demographics, and vary depending on race, ethnicity, age, gender, and geography. Black males between 15 and 34 years of age who live in large central metropolitan areas face the highest risk, with firearm death rates surpassing 30 per 100,000 from 2018 to 2024.

Native American males also suffer disproportionately high firearm death rates, especially in rural and nonmetropolitan regions where suicide is a leading driver. Although less likely to die from a firearm-related homicide, White males experience high suicide-related firearm deaths in small towns and rural America. Meanwhile, women of all races face much lower risks overall, although Black women in cities are at greater risk than women of other races.

At-Risk Demographics by Injury Intent

Suicide - Non-Hispanic White Americans (11.2 per 100,000)
Homicide - Non-Hispanic Black Americans (27.0 per 100,000)
Legal Intervention - Non-Hispanic Black Americans (0.3 per 100,000)
Accidental - Non-Hispanic Black Americans (0.3 per 100,000)

At-Risk Demographics by Population Size

In 2024, large central metropolitan areas accounted for 31% of the U.S. population and 31% of all gun deaths. Large fringe metros (suburbs) made up a quarter of the U.S. population and 18% of gun deaths. Medium metros carried a slightly higher share of deaths (23%) than their population share (21%).

Smaller and rural areas showed similar disparities. Small metros accounted for 9% of the population and 11% of deaths, while micropolitan areas were home to 8% of the population and accounted for 10% of deaths. Noncore rural areas represented 6% of the U.S. population and 7% of gun deaths.

Note: Rural areas have a higher rate of suicide, while urban areas have a higher rate of homicide.

Gun deaths by metropolitan area 2024 data table showing statistics across US city regions

At-Risk Demographics by Age

Children under 10 are the least at-risk demographic regarding gun deaths, with fewer than 1 death per 100,000. Rates begin to climb in adolescence, reaching 2.2 per 100,000 among individuals aged 10–14, and then spike dramatically to 14.5 per 100,000 for those aged 15–19.

Young adults are at the greatest risk. The rate peaks at 21.7 per 100,000 for ages 20–24, gradually declines through middle age, and falls to around 13 per 100,000 in the early 60s.

In later years, the pattern reverses due to an increase in suicides. Rates rise again among older adults, reaching 19 per 100,000 at ages 80–84 – nearly as high as among young adults.

Gun death rates by age group 2024 line chart showing deaths per 100,000 people across demographics

At-Risk Demographics by Race & Ethnicity

Black Americans are 1.48 times more likely to die from gunshot wounds than Native Americans, and 3 times more likely to die than non-Hispanic White Americans.

Non-Hispanic Black Americans consistently die from gunshot wounds at higher rates than any other race or ethnicity. Rates among this demographic rose by 54% between 2020 and 2023, peaking at 36.7 per 100,000 in 2021. As of 2024, the rates have decreased closer to pre-pandemic levels at 27 per 100,000.

Note: Gun death rates increased nationwide during the pandemic. Native American rates increased by 47%, and non-Hispanic White Americans increased by 7%.

Gun death rates by race and Hispanic origin 2024 bar chart showing deaths per 100,000 people

At-Risk Demographics by Gender

On average, men in the U.S. are about 4 times more likely than women to die by homicide.

Among men, non-Hispanics had slightly higher homicide rates than Hispanics (10 per 100,000 vs. 8.9 per 100,000). Among women, the gap was narrower: non-Hispanic women averaged 2.4 per 100,000, compared with 2 per 100,000 for Hispanic women.

Gun deaths per capita by gender 2018-2024 bar chart showing male vs female rates over time

Wrap-Up

Black Americans – particularly young Black men – are disproportionately more likely to die from gunshots than any other demographic. Native Americans also face higher gun-related deaths.

Understanding and preventing gun deaths in the U.S. requires conversations that identify at-risk groups. Although anyone in the U.S. could experience gun-related tragedies, some are more likely to suffer than others.

Sources

Written by

Cassandra McBride