Terrorism deaths in United States
United States: Terrorism deaths was 26 deaths in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Terrorism deaths in United States, 1970–2021
Source: National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
In 2021, terrorism deaths in United States stood at 26 deaths.
That represents a change of up 116.7% on the previous year and down 61.8% over five years.
Over the whole period, terrorism deaths in United States peaked at 3,014 deaths in 2001 and was at its lowest, 0 deaths, in 2003.
United States ranks 27th of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Terrorism deaths in United States, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 33 deaths | — |
| 1971 | 20 deaths | -39.4% |
| 1972 | 10 deaths | -50.0% |
| 1973 | 45 deaths | +350.0% |
| 1974 | 16 deaths | -64.4% |
| 1975 | 24 deaths | +50.0% |
| 1976 | 4 deaths | -83.3% |
| 1977 | 5 deaths | +25.0% |
| 1978 | 8 deaths | +60.0% |
| 1979 | 18 deaths | +125.0% |
| 1980 | 15 deaths | -16.7% |
| 1981 | 8 deaths | -46.7% |
| 1982 | 10 deaths | +25.0% |
| 1983 | 8 deaths | -20.0% |
| 1984 | 3 deaths | -62.5% |
| 1985 | 3 deaths | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 1 deaths | -66.7% |
| 1987 | 1 deaths | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 1 deaths | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 3 deaths | +200.0% |
| 1990 | 5 deaths | +66.7% |
| 1991 | 26 deaths | +420.0% |
| 1992 | 2 deaths | -92.3% |
| 1994 | 10 deaths | +400.0% |
| 1995 | 178 deaths | +1680.0% |
| 1996 | 2 deaths | -98.9% |
| 1997 | 2 deaths | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 4 deaths | +100.0% |
| 1999 | 20 deaths | +400.0% |
| 2000 | 8 deaths | -60.0% |
| 2001 | 3,014 deaths | +37575.0% |
| 2002 | 4 deaths | -99.9% |
| 2003 | 0 deaths | -100.0% |
| 2004 | 0 deaths | — |
| 2005 | 0 deaths | — |
| 2006 | 1 deaths | — |
| 2007 | 0 deaths | -100.0% |
| 2008 | 2 deaths | — |
| 2009 | 22 deaths | +1000.0% |
| 2010 | 4 deaths | -81.8% |
| 2011 | 0 deaths | -100.0% |
| 2012 | 7 deaths | — |
| 2013 | 23 deaths | +228.6% |
| 2014 | 26 deaths | +13.0% |
| 2015 | 54 deaths | +107.7% |
| 2016 | 68 deaths | +25.9% |
| 2017 | 98 deaths | +44.1% |
| 2018 | 45 deaths | -54.1% |
| 2019 | 53 deaths | +17.8% |
| 2020 | 12 deaths | -77.4% |
| 2021 | 26 deaths | +116.7% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Terrorism deaths in United States changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | +37575.0% | 8 deaths | 3,014 deaths |
| 1995 | +1680.0% | 10 deaths | 178 deaths |
| 2009 | +1000.0% | 2 deaths | 22 deaths |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 18.3 deaths | 4 deaths | 45 deaths | 10 |
| 1980s | 5.3 deaths | 1 deaths | 15 deaths | 10 |
| 1990s | 27.67 deaths | 2 deaths | 178 deaths | 9 |
| 2000s | 305.1 deaths | 0 deaths | 3,014 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.8 deaths | 0 deaths | 98 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 19 deaths | 12 deaths | 26 deaths | 2 |
Countries ranked near United States
More health data for United States
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- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is terrorism deaths in United States?
- Terrorism deaths in United States was 26 deaths in 2021, according to National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest terrorism deaths recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 3,014 deaths in 2001.
- What is the lowest terrorism deaths recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 deaths in 2003.
- How does United States rank for terrorism deaths?
- United States ranks 27th out of 188 countries with data for 2021.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Terrorism deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Confirmed deaths, including all victims and attackers who died because of a terrorist attack.