In the history of major terrorist attacks in the United States, a large number of the deadliest such attacks were bombings. These incidents include infamous figures like Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the Boston Marathon bombing.
Using data compiled by the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Department of Justice, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most bombings were reported last year. Only 10 states reported no bombings, while 15 states had at least 10.
While it has been years since any incident of comparable magnitude has been carried out in the United States, each year, hundreds of bombings are reported nationwide. According to the report, there were 381 bombings in the United States in 2021.
Each bombing incident noted on this list, was, by definition, carried out intentionally with any one of a variety of implements, including improvised explosive devices, pipe bombs, and commercial or military explosives. Bombings and other explosions resulted in 27 fatalities in 2021 and 100 injuries – the likes of which are seldom seen outside of combat zones. (Here is a look at the states where the most people are killed by guns.)
While the number of bombings reported in last year represent a 12% decline from 2020, incidents of bomb threats surged by 129% – from 818 in 2020 to 1,876 in 2021. Schools were the most common targets for bomb threats nationwide in 2021. (Here is a look at America’s most dangerous states.)
Click here to see the states where the most bombings were reported last year.
Alabama
> Bombings in 2021: 3 (tied – 17th most)
> Population: 4,893,186 (24th largest)
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Alaska
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 736,990 (3rd smallest)
Arizona
> Bombings in 2021: 12 (tied – 8th most)
> Population: 7,174,064 (14th largest)
Arkansas
> Bombings in 2021: 2 (tied – 18th most)
> Population: 3,011,873 (18th smallest)
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California
> Bombings in 2021: 45 (the most)
> Population: 39,346,023 (the largest)
Colorado
> Bombings in 2021: 9 (tied – 11th most)
> Population: 5,684,926 (21st largest)
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Connecticut
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 3,570,549 (22nd smallest)
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Delaware
> Bombings in 2021: 1 (tied – the fewest)
> Population: 967,679 (6th smallest)
Florida
> Bombings in 2021: 11 (tied – 9th most)
> Population: 21,216,924 (3rd largest)
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Georgia
> Bombings in 2021: 2 (tied – 18th most)
> Population: 10,516,579 (8th largest)
Hawaii
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 1,420,074 (11th smallest)
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Idaho
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 1,754,367 (12th smallest)
Illinois
> Bombings in 2021: 15 (tied – 6th most)
> Population: 12,716,164 (6th largest)
Indiana
> Bombings in 2021: 10 (10th most)
> Population: 6,696,893 (17th largest)
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Iowa
> Bombings in 2021: 2 (tied – 18th most)
> Population: 3,150,011 (20th smallest)
Kansas
> Bombings in 2021: 11 (tied – 9th most)
> Population: 2,912,619 (16th smallest)
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Kentucky
> Bombings in 2021: 2 (tied – 18th most)
> Population: 4,461,952 (25th smallest)
Louisiana
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 4,664,616 (25th largest)
Maine
> Bombings in 2021: 1 (tied – the fewest)
> Population: 1,340,825 (9th smallest)
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Maryland
> Bombings in 2021: 19 (5th most)
> Population: 6,037,624 (19th largest)
Massachusetts
> Bombings in 2021: 5 (tied – 15th most)
> Population: 6,873,003 (15th largest)
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Michigan
> Bombings in 2021: 20 (4th most)
> Population: 9,973,907 (10th largest)
Minnesota
> Bombings in 2021: 4 (tied – 16th most)
> Population: 5,600,166 (22nd largest)
Mississippi
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 2,981,835 (17th smallest)
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Missouri
> Bombings in 2021: 12 (tied – 8th most)
> Population: 6,124,160 (18th largest)
Montana
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 1,061,705 (8th smallest)
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Nebraska
> Bombings in 2021: 8 (12th most)
> Population: 1,923,826 (14th smallest)
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Nevada
> Bombings in 2021: 4 (tied – 16th most)
> Population: 3,030,281 (19th smallest)
New Hampshire
> Bombings in 2021: 4 (tied – 16th most)
> Population: 1,355,244 (10th smallest)
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New Jersey
> Bombings in 2021: 9 (tied – 11th most)
> Population: 8,885,418 (11th largest)
New Mexico
> Bombings in 2021: 4 (tied – 16th most)
> Population: 2,097,021 (15th smallest)
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New York
> Bombings in 2021: 15 (tied – 6th most)
> Population: 19,514,849 (4th largest)
North Carolina
> Bombings in 2021: 9 (tied – 11th most)
> Population: 10,386,227 (9th largest)
North Dakota
> Bombings in 2021: 1 (tied – the fewest)
> Population: 760,394 (4th smallest)
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Ohio
> Bombings in 2021: 13 (7th most)
> Population: 11,675,275 (7th largest)
Oklahoma
> Bombings in 2021: 5 (tied – 15th most)
> Population: 3,949,342 (23rd smallest)
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Oregon
> Bombings in 2021: 15 (tied – 6th most)
> Population: 4,176,346 (24th smallest)
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Pennsylvania
> Bombings in 2021: 29 (3rd most)
> Population: 12,794,885 (5th largest)
Rhode Island
> Bombings in 2021: 2 (tied – 18th most)
> Population: 1,057,798 (7th smallest)
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South Carolina
> Bombings in 2021: 7 (13th most)
> Population: 5,091,517 (23rd largest)
South Dakota
> Bombings in 2021: 1 (tied – the fewest)
> Population: 879,336 (5th smallest)
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Tennessee
> Bombings in 2021: 9 (tied – 11th most)
> Population: 6,772,268 (16th largest)
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Texas
> Bombings in 2021: 12 (tied – 8th most)
> Population: 28,635,442 (2nd largest)
Utah
> Bombings in 2021: 3 (tied – 17th most)
> Population: 3,151,239 (21st smallest)
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Vermont
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 624,340 (2nd smallest)
Virginia
> Bombings in 2021: 6 (tied – 14th most)
> Population: 8,509,358 (12th largest)
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Washington
> Bombings in 2021: 31 (2nd most)
> Population: 7,512,465 (13th largest)
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West Virginia
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 1,807,426 (13th smallest)
Wisconsin
> Bombings in 2021: 6 (tied – 14th most)
> Population: 5,806,975 (20th largest)
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Wyoming
> Bombings in 2021: 0
> Population: 581,348 (the smallest)
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