What the States with the Highest Suicide Rate Record Shows

This ranking covers 51 states sorted by rate per 100k, drawn from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality files. The top of the list, led by Montana, Alaska, Wyoming - reaches 28.9, while the bottom - District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey - sits at 6.6, a 22.3-point spread and roughly a 4.4x gap between extremes. Across all 51 ranked states the average lands at 16.5 with a median of 16.3, so the distribution is relatively symmetric, with most states clustering near the central value.

Suicide rates vary dramatically across states, with Mountain West and rural states consistently having the highest rates. Contributing factors include geographic isolation, limited mental health provider availability, higher rates of firearm ownership (the most lethal suicide method), economic stress in resource-dependent economies, and cultural factors that may discourage seeking help. The nationwide suicide rate has risen approximately 30% since 2000, though the increase is concentrated in certain demographics and regions.

For readers, the practical read of this ranking is comparative: a state's position reflects its age-adjusted rate relative to peers, not the absolute risk any individual faces. Age-adjustment to the year 2000 US standard population removes demographic-age confounding, so the gap between Montana at 28.9 and District of Columbia at 6.6 reflects genuine differences in exposure, prevention, and healthcare delivery rather than an artifact of older populations. These figures describe population-level mortality statistics and are not a substitute for medical advice; individual risk depends on personal health history, behaviors, and access to care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis, treatment, or prevention decisions. Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System.