Special Report
This Is How Many People Have Died of COVID-19 in Every State
Published:
Since the first death attributable to COVID-19 was reported in the United States on Feb. 29, 2020, an estimated 461,660 Americans have died — and that number continues to grow every day. Over the last seven-day period, an average of 2,695 Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 have died each day.
Adjusting for population, no state has reported more coronavirus deaths than New Jersey. Since the pandemic began, New Jersey has reported a total of 22,329 deaths — or 251 for every 100,000 people. Per capita deaths attributable to the virus are also high in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Mississippi, and South Dakota. In each of these places, the death rate stands at at least 207 per 100,000 people.
For context, the national COVID-19 death rate stands at 141 deaths for every 100,000 people.
To date, Hawaii has reported the fewest coronavirus deaths on a per capita basis. There have been an estimated 30 COVID-19 deaths across the state for every 100,000 people since the pandemic began.
Though it is not always the case, states with higher than average COVID-19 deaths per capita are often also home to larger high-risk populations. One such group is retirement-age Americans, who are at least 90 times more likely to die from the virus if infected than those in the 18 to 29 age group. Nationwide, 16.5% of the population fall into that age group.
Though the U.S. has one of the highest per capita COVID-19 death rates in the world, Americans infected with the virus today appear more likely to survive than those who were infected earlier in the pandemic. Medical care providers now have months of experience treating COVID-19, and over that period have established more effective practices in treating the disease. According to one study conducted by researchers at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine released in October, the chances of death among critically ill patients was 18 percentage points lower in August 2020 than it was in March.
And now that inoculations against the coronavirus are underway in the United States, the spread of the disease will eventually slow, which will inevitably contribute to a reduction in deaths per capita.
All COVID-19 data used in the story is current as of Feb. 11, 2021.
1. New Jersey
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey: 251 per 100,000 people — 77.63% higher than US avg. (total: 22,329)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New Jersey: 8,265 per 100,000 people — 0.02% lower than US avg. (total: 736,330)
> 65 and older population: 16.6% (0.1 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 8,908,520
2. Massachusetts
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts: 221 per 100,000 people — 56.77% higher than US avg. (total: 15,269)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts: 7,989 per 100,000 people — 3.37% lower than US avg. (total: 551,396)
> 65 and older population: 17.0% (0.5 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 6,902,149
3. Rhode Island
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Rhode Island: 215 per 100,000 people — 52.42% higher than US avg. (total: 2,274)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Rhode Island: 11,386 per 100,000 people — 37.71% higher than US avg. (total: 120,381)
> 65 and older population: 17.7% (1.2 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,057,315
4. Mississippi
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Mississippi: 214 per 100,000 people — 51.63% higher than US avg. (total: 6,390)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Mississippi: 9,532 per 100,000 people — 15.29% higher than US avg. (total: 284,664)
> 65 and older population: 16.4% (0.1 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 2,986,530
5. South Dakota
> Total COVID-19 deaths in South Dakota: 207 per 100,000 people — 46.92% higher than US avg. (total: 1,829)
> Total COVID-19 infections in South Dakota: 11,091 per 100,000 people — 34.16% higher than US avg. (total: 97,852)
> 65 and older population: 17.4% (0.9 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 882,235
6. Connecticut
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Connecticut: 206 per 100,000 people — 45.87% higher than US avg. (total: 7,354)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Connecticut: 7,459 per 100,000 people — 9.77% lower than US avg. (total: 266,499)
> 65 and older population: 17.6% (1.1 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 3,572,665
7. Arizona
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Arizona: 204 per 100,000 people — 44.88% higher than US avg. (total: 14,662)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Arizona: 11,031 per 100,000 people — 33.43% higher than US avg. (total: 791,106)
> 65 and older population: 18.0% (1.5 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 7,171,646
8. Louisiana
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Louisiana: 198 per 100,000 people — 40.50% higher than US avg. (total: 9,239)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Louisiana: 8,957 per 100,000 people — 8.35% higher than US avg. (total: 417,415)
> 65 and older population: 16.0% (0.5 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 4,659,978
9. North Dakota
> Total COVID-19 deaths in North Dakota: 188 per 100,000 people — 33.33% higher than US avg. (total: 1,430)
> Total COVID-19 infections in North Dakota: 12,940 per 100,000 people — 56.52% higher than US avg. (total: 98,353)
> 65 and older population: 15.8% (0.7 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 760,077
10. New York
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New York: 188 per 100,000 people — 33.24% higher than US avg. (total: 36,743)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New York: 7,698 per 100,000 people — 6.89% lower than US avg. (total: 1,504,286)
> 65 and older population: 16.9% (0.4 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 19,542,209
11. Alabama
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Alabama: 185 per 100,000 people — 30.79% higher than US avg. (total: 9,021)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Alabama: 9,771 per 100,000 people — 18.18% higher than US avg. (total: 477,570)
> 65 and older population: 17.4% (0.9 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 4,887,871
12. Pennsylvania
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Pennsylvania: 178 per 100,000 people — 26.50% higher than US avg. (total: 22,860)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Pennsylvania: 6,905 per 100,000 people — 16.49% lower than US avg. (total: 884,269)
> 65 and older population: 18.7% (2.2 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 12,807,060
13. Indiana
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Indiana: 173 per 100,000 people — 22.89% higher than US avg. (total: 11,604)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Indiana: 9,639 per 100,000 people — 16.58% higher than US avg. (total: 645,006)
> 65 and older population: 16.1% (0.4 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 6,691,878
14. Arkansas
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Arkansas: 173 per 100,000 people — 22.25% higher than US avg. (total: 5,199)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Arkansas: 10,321 per 100,000 people — 24.83% higher than US avg. (total: 311,043)
> 65 and older population: 17.4% (0.9 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 3,013,825
15. New Mexico
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New Mexico: 166 per 100,000 people — 17.66% higher than US avg. (total: 3,479)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New Mexico: 8,558 per 100,000 people — 3.51% higher than US avg. (total: 179,323)
> 65 and older population: 18.0% (1.5 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 2,095,428
16. Illinois
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Illinois: 166 per 100,000 people — 17.62% higher than US avg. (total: 21,146)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Illinois: 8,795 per 100,000 people — 6.38% higher than US avg. (total: 1,120,528)
> 65 and older population: 16.1% (0.4 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 12,741,080
17. Iowa
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Iowa: 165 per 100,000 people — 16.67% higher than US avg. (total: 5,196)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Iowa: 10,369 per 100,000 people — 25.42% higher than US avg. (total: 327,255)
> 65 and older population: 17.5% (1 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 3,156,145
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
18. Michigan
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Michigan: 160 per 100,000 people — 13.57% higher than US avg. (total: 16,019)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Michigan: 6,267 per 100,000 people — 24.19% lower than US avg. (total: 626,477)
> 65 and older population: 17.7% (1.2 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 9,995,915
19. Tennessee
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Tennessee: 160 per 100,000 people — 13.18% higher than US avg. (total: 10,812)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Tennessee: 11,108 per 100,000 people — 34.36% higher than US avg. (total: 752,033)
> 65 and older population: 16.7% (0.2 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 6,770,010
20. South Carolina
> Total COVID-19 deaths in South Carolina: 154 per 100,000 people — 9.24% higher than US avg. (total: 7,837)
> Total COVID-19 infections in South Carolina: 9,368 per 100,000 people — 13.31% higher than US avg. (total: 476,287)
> 65 and older population: 18.2% (1.7 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 5,084,127
21. Nevada
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Nevada: 153 per 100,000 people — 8.30% higher than US avg. (total: 4,637)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Nevada: 9,438 per 100,000 people — 14.16% higher than US avg. (total: 286,387)
> 65 and older population: 16.2% (0.3 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 3,034,392
These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
22. Kansas
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Kansas: 148 per 100,000 people — 4.74% higher than US avg. (total: 4,303)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Kansas: 9,785 per 100,000 people — 18.36% higher than US avg. (total: 284,894)
> 65 and older population: 16.4% (0.1 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 2,911,510
These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
23. Georgia
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Georgia: 147 per 100,000 people — 4.51% higher than US avg. (total: 15,513)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Georgia: 9,079 per 100,000 people — 9.82% higher than US avg. (total: 955,085)
> 65 and older population: 14.3% (2.2 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 10,519,475
24. Washington D.C.
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Washington D.C.: 142 per 100,000 people — 0.74% higher than US avg. (total: 973)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Washington D.C.: 5,629 per 100,000 people — 31.91% lower than US avg. (total: 38,533)
> 65 and older population: 12.4% (4.1 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 702,455
Click here to see all COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.
25. Texas
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Texas: 139 per 100,000 people — 1.80% lower than US avg. (total: 39,771)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Texas: 8,812 per 100,000 people — 6.59% higher than US avg. (total: 2,529,343)
> 65 and older population: 12.9% (3.6 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 28,701,845
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
26. Florida
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Florida: 136 per 100,000 people — 3.95% lower than US avg. (total: 28,868)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Florida: 8,483 per 100,000 people — 2.61% higher than US avg. (total: 1,806,805)
> 65 and older population: 20.9% (4.4 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 21,299,325
27. Delaware
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Delaware: 130 per 100,000 people — 7.53% lower than US avg. (total: 1,262)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Delaware: 8,465 per 100,000 people — 2.39% higher than US avg. (total: 81,875)
> 65 and older population: 19.5% (3 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 967,171
28. Montana
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Montana: 124 per 100,000 people — 11.94% lower than US avg. (total: 1,320)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Montana: 9,116 per 100,000 people — 10.27% higher than US avg. (total: 96,842)
> 65 and older population: 19.5% (3 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,062,305
29. Maryland
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Maryland: 124 per 100,000 people — 12.43% lower than US avg. (total: 7,467)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Maryland: 6,088 per 100,000 people — 26.37% lower than US avg. (total: 367,865)
> 65 and older population: 15.9% (0.6 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 6,042,718
30. Missouri
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Missouri: 121 per 100,000 people — 14.04% lower than US avg. (total: 7,431)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Missouri: 7,659 per 100,000 people — 7.36% lower than US avg. (total: 469,223)
> 65 and older population: 17.2% (0.7 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 6,126,452
31. West Virginia
> Total COVID-19 deaths in West Virginia: 121 per 100,000 people — 14.17% lower than US avg. (total: 2,187)
> Total COVID-19 infections in West Virginia: 7,001 per 100,000 people — 15.32% lower than US avg. (total: 126,420)
> 65 and older population: 20.5% (4 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,805,832
32. California
> Total COVID-19 deaths in California: 115 per 100,000 people — 18.56% lower than US avg. (total: 45,456)
> Total COVID-19 infections in California: 8,523 per 100,000 people — 3.09% higher than US avg. (total: 3,371,556)
> 65 and older population: 14.8% (1.7 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 39,557,045
33. Minnesota
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota: 113 per 100,000 people — 19.89% lower than US avg. (total: 6,343)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Minnesota: 8,390 per 100,000 people — 1.49% higher than US avg. (total: 470,803)
> 65 and older population: 16.3% (0.2 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 5,611,179
34. Wyoming
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Wyoming: 112 per 100,000 people — 20.64% lower than US avg. (total: 647)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Wyoming: 9,170 per 100,000 people — 10.92% higher than US avg. (total: 52,979)
> 65 and older population: 17.1% (0.6 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 577,737
35. Ohio
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Ohio: 108 per 100,000 people — 23.75% lower than US avg. (total: 12,577)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Ohio: 7,968 per 100,000 people — 3.62% lower than US avg. (total: 931,437)
> 65 and older population: 17.5% (1 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 11,689,442
These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
36. Wisconsin
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Wisconsin: 106 per 100,000 people — 25.15% lower than US avg. (total: 6,140)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Wisconsin: 9,514 per 100,000 people — 15.08% higher than US avg. (total: 553,110)
> 65 and older population: 17.5% (1 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 5,813,568
37. Nebraska
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Nebraska: 103 per 100,000 people — 26.90% lower than US avg. (total: 1,990)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Nebraska: 10,108 per 100,000 people — 22.26% higher than US avg. (total: 195,006)
> 65 and older population: 16.1% (0.4 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,929,268
38. Idaho
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Idaho: 102 per 100,000 people — 27.65% lower than US avg. (total: 1,791)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Idaho: 9,513 per 100,000 people — 15.06% higher than US avg. (total: 166,876)
> 65 and older population: 16.2% (0.3 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,754,208
These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
39. Colorado
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Colorado: 101 per 100,000 people — 28.21% lower than US avg. (total: 5,770)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Colorado: 7,163 per 100,000 people — 13.36% lower than US avg. (total: 407,961)
> 65 and older population: 14.7% (1.8 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 5,695,564
40. Oklahoma
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Oklahoma: 100 per 100,000 people — 29.04% lower than US avg. (total: 3,948)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Oklahoma: 10,383 per 100,000 people — 25.59% higher than US avg. (total: 409,401)
> 65 and older population: 16.1% (0.4 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 3,943,079
41. North Carolina
> Total COVID-19 deaths in North Carolina: 99 per 100,000 people — 29.74% lower than US avg. (total: 10,294)
> Total COVID-19 infections in North Carolina: 7,805 per 100,000 people — 5.59% lower than US avg. (total: 810,466)
> 65 and older population: 16.7% (0.2 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 10,383,620
42. Kentucky
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky: 94 per 100,000 people — 33.21% lower than US avg. (total: 4,211)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Kentucky: 8,614 per 100,000 people — 4.19% higher than US avg. (total: 384,903)
> 65 and older population: 16.9% (0.4 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 4,468,402
43. New Hampshire
> Total COVID-19 deaths in New Hampshire: 82 per 100,000 people — 41.64% lower than US avg. (total: 1,117)
> Total COVID-19 infections in New Hampshire: 5,132 per 100,000 people — 37.93% lower than US avg. (total: 69,612)
> 65 and older population: 18.6% (2.1 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,356,458
44. Virginia
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Virginia: 82 per 100,000 people — 42.11% lower than US avg. (total: 6,958)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Virginia: 6,352 per 100,000 people — 23.17% lower than US avg. (total: 541,018)
> 65 and older population: 15.9% (0.6 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 8,517,685
45. Washington
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Washington: 61 per 100,000 people — 56.43% lower than US avg. (total: 4,633)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Washington: 4,328 per 100,000 people — 47.65% lower than US avg. (total: 326,159)
> 65 and older population: 15.9% (0.6 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 7,535,591
46. Utah
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Utah: 56 per 100,000 people — 60.23% lower than US avg. (total: 1,774)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Utah: 11,344 per 100,000 people — 37.21% higher than US avg. (total: 358,581)
> 65 and older population: 11.4% (5.1 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 3,161,105
These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
47. Oregon
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Oregon: 49 per 100,000 people — 65.23% lower than US avg. (total: 2,056)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Oregon: 3,557 per 100,000 people — 56.97% lower than US avg. (total: 149,082)
> 65 and older population: 18.2% (1.7 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 4,190,713
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
48. Maine
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Maine: 48 per 100,000 people — 66.06% lower than US avg. (total: 641)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Maine: 3,142 per 100,000 people — 61.99% lower than US avg. (total: 42,058)
> 65 and older population: 21.3% (4.8 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,338,404
These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
49. Alaska
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Alaska: 38 per 100,000 people — 73.28% lower than US avg. (total: 278)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Alaska: 7,628 per 100,000 people — 7.73% lower than US avg. (total: 56,252)
> 65 and older population: 12.4% (4.1 ppt. lower than nat’l share)
> Total population: 737,438
These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
50. Vermont
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Vermont: 30 per 100,000 people — 78.73% lower than US avg. (total: 188)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Vermont: 2,115 per 100,000 people — 74.41% lower than US avg. (total: 13,249)
> 65 and older population: 20.1% (3.6 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 626,299
51. Hawaii
> Total COVID-19 deaths in Hawaii: 30 per 100,000 people — 78.85% lower than US avg. (total: 424)
> Total COVID-19 infections in Hawaii: 1,878 per 100,000 people — 77.29% lower than US avg. (total: 26,675)
> 65 and older population: 19.0% (2.5 ppt. higher than nat’l share)
> Total population: 1,420,491
These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
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