Special Report
States With the Most Drug Overdose Deaths in 2020
July 19, 2021 7:00 am
Source: choness / Getty Images
30. California
> 2020 overdose fatality: 23 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 9,142)
> 2019 overdose fatality: 16 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 6,363)
> 2015 overdose fatality: 12 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 4,762)
> Average deaths a year, 2015-2019: 13 per 10,000 people — 15th fewest (total average overdose deaths: 5,280 a year)
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2019-2020: 43.7% — 7th largest increase
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2015-2020: 92.0% — 11th largest increase
> Population: 39,512,223
Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images
29. New York (Data for NYC is not included)
> 2020 overdose fatality: 26 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 4,979)
> 2019 overdose fatality: 19 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 3,634)
> 2015 overdose fatality: 14 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 2,761)
> Average deaths a year, 2015-2019: 18 per 10,000 people — 22nd fewest (total average overdose deaths: 3,544 a year)
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2019-2020: 37.0% — 15th largest increase
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2015-2020: 80.3% — 18th largest increase
> Population: 19,453,561
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
28. Virginia
> 2020 overdose fatality: 26 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 2,186)
> 2019 overdose fatality: 18 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 1,538)
> 2015 overdose fatality: 12 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 1,002)
> Average deaths a year, 2015-2019: 16 per 10,000 people — 19th fewest (total average overdose deaths: 1,357 a year)
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2019-2020: 42.1% — 10th largest increase
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2015-2020: 118.2% — 5th largest increase
> Population: 8,535,519
Source: Planet Unicorn / Getty Images
27. Colorado
> 2020 overdose fatality: 26 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 1,512)
> 2019 overdose fatality: 19 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 1,100)
> 2015 overdose fatality: 16 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 913)
> Average deaths a year, 2015-2019: 17 per 10,000 people — 21st fewest (total average overdose deaths: 1,004 a year)
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2019-2020: 37.5% — 14th largest increase
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2015-2020: 65.6% — 25th largest increase
> Population: 5,758,736
Source: chefranden / Flickr
26. Wisconsin
> 2020 overdose fatality: 26 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 1,530)
> 2019 overdose fatality: 21 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 1,200)
> 2015 overdose fatality: 15 deaths for every 100,000 people (total: 873)
> Average deaths a year, 2015-2019: 19 per 10,000 people — 24th fewest (total average overdose deaths: 1,083 a year)
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2019-2020: 27.5% — 21st smallest increase
> Pct. change in overdose deaths, 2015-2020: 75.3% — 21st largest increase
> Population: 5,822,434
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