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FACT BRIEF

Are Wisconsin's homicide and suicide rates lower than the national averages?

By Erin Gretzinger
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YES

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Stats of the States" reports, the homicide and suicide rates in Wisconsin are lower than the national averages. 

In 2020, Wisconsin had an age-adjusted rate of 6.1 homicides and 14.5 suicides per 100,000 people in the state's population. The national averages are 7.4 homicides and 16.1 suicides per 100,000. 

The rates are adjusted for age and population sizes but don't account for other variations that may influence levels of morality. States with small numbers of deaths have less reliable rankings due to instability in death rates.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported that the suicide rate among Wisconsin residents increased by 32% from 2000 to 2020. The FBI's Uniform Crime Report shows Wisconsin's homicide rate increased by 123.2% between 2011 and 2021—the third largest increase in the U.S. among the 44 states that also experienced upticks. 

Despite the increases, Wisconsin still ranks slightly below the national average in suicide and homicide rates.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control Homicide Mortality by State
Centers for Disease Control Suicide Mortality by State
DocHub Suicide and homicide rates calculated
Wisconsin Department Of Health Services Suicide in Wisconsin: Impact Response Report
Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer Expanded Homicide Data
Center Square Wisconsin Homicides Up Over Last Decade
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.