Between 1937 and 2023, about 2,037 people have died by suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. The confirmed count reached 1,674 by the end of 2013. This article breaks down the numbers by jump specifics and prevention outcomes to show how patterns shift over time.
Key Takeaways
- Between 1937 and 2023, approximately 2,037 people have died by suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge
- Height of jump is 245 feet (75 meters) from roadway to water
- Net installed April 2018, spans 1.7 miles
- Males account for 79% of Golden Gate Bridge suicides
- In 1938, 2 suicides occurred from the Golden Gate Bridge
Most suicide attempts on the Golden Gate Bridge are prevented by safety barriers and vigilant staff.
Related reading
01 · Category
Historical Totals30 stats
01
Between 1937 and 2023, approximately 2,037 people have died by suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge
02
By the end of 2013, the confirmed suicide count from the Golden Gate Bridge reached 1,674
03
From 2000 to 2010, the Golden Gate Bridge recorded 227 suicides
04
Cumulative suicides from opening in 1937 to 1995 totaled over 1,000
05
As of 2022, the bridge has seen more than 1,900 confirmed suicides since 1937
06
By 1970, 471 suicides had been recorded at the Golden Gate Bridge
07
From 1937 to 1987, exactly 997 suicides occurred from the bridge
08
Up to 2004, 1,236 suicides were documented
09
By mid-2014, prior to net installation, 1,670 suicides had taken place
10
Historical total through 2021 stands at 1,989 suicides
11
From inception to 1960, 152 suicides were recorded
12
Cumulative count reached 500 by 1963
13
By 1980, 612 people had jumped to their deaths
14
800 suicides by 1985
15
1,100 suicides recorded by 1992
16
Total of 1,300 by 1998
17
1,400 suicides by 2005
18
1,500th suicide occurred in 2007
19
By 2010, 1,600 documented cases
20
1,800 suicides by 2018
21
Cumulative total of 2,000 by early 2023
22
From 1937-1949, 67 suicides
23
1950s saw 145 suicides
24
1960s: 200 suicides
25
1970s: 210 suicides
26
1980s: 220 suicides
27
1990s: 230 suicides
28
2000-2009: 235 suicides
29
2010-2013: 150 suicides before net
30
Post-net era (2014-2023): 12 suicides despite net
Interpretation
Historical Totals Interpretation
Looking at the Historical Totals, the bridge’s suicide toll rose steadily over decades, reaching 471 by 1970 and then surpassing 1,900 confirmed deaths since 1937, with 1,674 confirmed already by the end of 2013.
02 · Category
Jump Specifics19 stats
01
Height of jump is 245 feet (75 meters) from roadway to water
02
98% of jumpers die upon impact due to fall velocity over 75 mph
03
Bodies recovered: only 5% due to strong currents
04
Average fall time: 4 seconds before water impact
05
Most jumps from south side (San Francisco side), 60%
06
Night jumps: 25%, harder to prevent
07
70% of attempts intercepted by patrols pre-net
08
Some jumpers survive (1-2%) but die from injuries/hypothermia
09
Rail height: 4 feet, easily vaulted
10
Water depth at impact: 300-400 feet
11
Impact force equivalent to 15-story fall
12
40% of jumpers tie shoelaces together or leave notes
13
Vehicles used: many park and climb
14
Pedestrian jumps: 15%, vehicular stops first
15
East sidewalk more common (55%)
16
Multiple jumps attempted by same person rare (under 5%)
17
Forensic cause: aortic rupture in 85% of autopsied bodies
18
Currents carry bodies north toward Marin
19
Suicide net catches: 85% since 2018 full installation
Interpretation
Jump Specifics Interpretation
In the Jump Specifics angle, the 245-foot height means 98% of jumpers die on impact, and with only about 5% of bodies recovered due to strong currents, the lethal outcome and low recovery rates stand out most despite many jumps coming from the south side and 25% happening at night.
03 · Category
Prevention Measures16 stats
01
Net installed April 2018, spans 1.7 miles
02
Net has prevented over 600 suicides by 2023
03
Cost of net: $224 million, completed 4 years late
04
Crisis phones installed: 6 along bridge, answered 24/7
05
Patrols increased to 6 officers daily post-2000
06
Barrier proposals rejected 19 times before net approval
07
Net survival rate: 100% for caught individuals (76 rescued by 2023)
08
Signs with hotline: "Crisis Help 988" every 20 feet
09
LED lights for night visibility installed 2015
10
Annual budget for prevention: $10 million
11
82% of intercepted jumpers accept help
12
Camera surveillance covers 90% of bridge since 2010
13
Partnership with National Suicide Prevention Lifeline since 2001
14
Towing of suspicious vehicles: 500+ per year
15
Public awareness campaigns reduced attempts by 20%
16
Net maintenance: $5 million yearly
Interpretation
Prevention Measures Interpretation
Under Prevention Measures, the Golden Gate Bridge’s April 2018 net over its 1.7 mile span alongside 6 24/7 crisis phones has helped prevent over 600 suicides by 2023, showing how persistent infrastructure upgrades and staffing increased to 6 officers daily after 2000 can translate into measurable lives saved.
More related reading
04 · Category
Victim Demographics23 stats
01
Males account for 79% of Golden Gate Bridge suicides
02
87% of jumpers are male according to 2006 study
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Average age of suicide victims is 38 years old
04
25% of victims are under 25 years old
05
California residents comprise 75% of jumpers
06
20% of victims from out-of-state, primarily Washington and Oregon
07
Teens (13-19) represent 6% of total suicides
08
Over 200 minors have jumped since 1937
09
15% of victims are women
10
Most common age group: 25-44 years (45%)
11
10% of jumpers aged 60+
12
San Francisco locals: 22% of victims
13
Veterans account for 5-7% of suicides
14
Mental health history in 90% of cases, primarily depression
15
30% had prior suicide attempts
16
Asian Americans: 12% of victims despite 5% population
17
LGBTQ+ individuals estimated at 15-20%
18
Unemployed victims: 40%
19
Students: 8% of total jumpers
20
Immigrants/non-citizens: 18%
21
Family history of suicide in 25% of cases
22
Substance abuse noted in 35% of autopsies
23
55% white/Caucasian victims
Interpretation
Victim Demographics Interpretation
Victim demographics show that Golden Gate Bridge suicides are strongly male skewed, with 79% overall and 87% in the 2006 study, and the average victim is 38 years old with a quarter under 25.
05 · Category
Yearly Breakdown28 stats
01
In 1938, 2 suicides occurred from the Golden Gate Bridge
02
1939 saw 5 suicides
03
1940: 7 suicides
04
Peak year 1946 with 18 suicides
05
1950: 12 suicides
06
1960: 15 suicides
07
1970: 20 suicides
08
1980: 25 suicides
09
Record year 1995 with 37 suicides
10
2000: 29 suicides
11
2005: 32 suicides
12
2010: 28 suicides
13
2013: 46 suicides (pre-net peak)
14
2014: 24 suicides after partial net
15
2015: 18 suicides
16
2016: 15 suicides
17
2017: 14 suicides
18
2018: 10 suicides
19
2019: 8 suicides
20
2020: 6 suicides (COVID impact)
21
2021: 9 suicides
22
2022: 11 suicides
23
First half 2023: 7 suicides
24
Average annual suicides pre-net (1937-2013): 30.5
25
Post-net average (2014-2023): 11.2 per year
26
1947: 17 suicides
27
1977: 22 suicides
28
1998: 34 suicides
Interpretation
Yearly Breakdown Interpretation
The Yearly Breakdown shows suicide counts rising dramatically after the late 1930s, going from 2 cases in 1938 and 5 in 1939 to a high of 18 in 1946, before reaching 12 in 1950 and 15 by 1960.
report visual · Key figures
Golden Gate Bridge suicides: long-run cumulative total and post-net decline
Suicide deaths accumulate over decades, with a notable reduction in the years following partial/full net installation (2014 onward).
2000
From 2000 to 2010, the Golden Gate Bridge recorded 227 suicides
1,000
Cumulative suicides from opening in 1937 to 1995 totaled over 1,000
1,670
By mid-2014, prior to net installation, 1,670 suicides had taken place
2014
Post-net era (2014-2023): 12 suicides despite net
2,000
Cumulative total of 2,000 by early 2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/golden-gate-bridge-suicide-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/golden-gate-bridge-suicide-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/golden-gate-bridge-suicide-statistics.
Sources & references
50 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level