The western US had the highest share of people living in counties where overdose deaths recently increased

Percent of people living in

counties where overdose

deaths were ...

Increasing

(Up more

than 10%)

Stable/

decreasing

By US census region

9%

West

3%

South

3%

Midwest

1%

North-east

50%

100%

Percent of people living in counties

where overdose deaths were ...

Stable/

decreasing

Increasing

(Up more than 10%)

By US census region

West

9%

South

3%

Midwest

3%

North-east

1%

50%

100%

Percent of people living in counties

where overdose deaths were ...

Stable/

decreasing

Increasing

(Up more than 10%)

By US census region

West

9%

South

3%

Midwest

3%

North-east

1%

50%

100%

Percent of people living in counties

where overdose deaths were ...

Stable/

decreasing

Increasing

(Up more than 10%)

By US census region

West

9%

South

3%

Midwest

3%

North-east

1%

50%

100%

Percent of people living in counties

where overdose deaths were ...

Stable/

decreasing

Increasing

(Up more than 10%)

By US census region

West

9%

South

3%

Midwest

3%

North-east

1%

50%

100%

Guardian graphic. Sources: Centers for Disease Control, US Census Bureau. Note: The change in counties’ rates are from the August 2023 to December 2024 period. Analysis excludes counties with rates that aren’t reported due to small populations.