TRENTON, NJ – Federal data from the Centers for Disease Control reveals that residents of politically blue states such as New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts are less likely to die by suicide compared with those living in more conservative or rural states.
The CDC’s latest report on suicide mortality rates shows New Jersey with one of the lowest rates in the country at 7.19 deaths per 100,000 people, well below the national average.
By contrast, states with larger rural populations and higher gun ownership rates recorded significantly higher suicide rates.
Urbanization and access to care linked to lower rates
Experts point to urbanization, greater access to mental health care, and stricter firearm laws as key reasons behind the regional divide. Blue states tend to be more urbanized, offering shorter travel distances to hospitals, therapists, and crisis services, which can play a major role in prevention.
Firearms remain the most common and lethal method of suicide in the United States. Researchers say states with higher gun ownership consistently report higher suicide rates regardless of politics, income, or population size.
Cultural and demographic influences also factor in
Demographic differences appear to contribute as well. States with older, less diverse populations have historically reported higher suicide rates. Blue states often have younger and more diverse residents and more widespread acceptance of seeking mental health treatment.
Cultural stigma toward discussing mental health remains more pronounced in some rural regions, where services are limited and residents face longer waits for care.
CDC data shows consistent state-level patterns
According to the CDC, the states with the lowest and highest suicide rates show a clear pattern tied to geography and population density:
Top 5 states with the lowest suicide rates (per 100,000 people)
- District of Columbia – 5.75
- New Jersey – 7.19
- New York – 8.30
- Massachusetts – 8.58
- Connecticut – 9.10
Top 5 states with the highest suicide rates (per 100,000 people)
- Wyoming – 32.8
- Montana – 31.4
- Alaska – 30.7
- New Mexico – 27.5
- South Dakota – 25.6
Mental health professionals emphasize that political alignment is not a cause of suicide disparities, but that many of the social, economic, and geographic factors influencing suicide risk tend to align with the nation’s political map.
Key Points
- CDC report shows suicide rates are lowest in blue states such as New Jersey and New York.
- Highest rates found in rural western states like Wyoming and Montana.
- Experts cite access to care, urbanization, and gun ownership as main factors behind the divide.