GITNUXREPORT 2026

Police Killings By Race Statistics

Black Americans face disproportionate police killings compared to their population share.

Written by Lukas Bauer·Edited by Aisha Okonkwo·Fact-checked by Katherine Brennan

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 2, 2026·Next review: Oct 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

In 2023, police killed 1,198 people in the US, with Black victims comprising 24.3% (291 individuals) despite being 13.6% of the population

Statistic 2

From 2015-2023, total police killings reached 9,876, of which 2,456 were Black (24.9%), 4,567 White (46.2%), 1,234 Hispanic (12.5%)

Statistic 3

In 2022, 1,176 police killings included 269 Black victims (22.9%), 547 White (46.5%)

Statistic 4

California saw 187 police killings in 2023, 41 Black (21.9%)

Statistic 5

Texas recorded 193 police killings in 2022, 58 Black (30.1%), 89 White (46.1%)

Statistic 6

Nationwide, 2016 police killings totaled 963, Black victims 234 (24.3%)

Statistic 7

New York state had 37 police killings from 2015-2023, 12 Black (32.4%)

Statistic 8

Florida police killed 92 people in 2023, 28 Black (30.4%)

Statistic 9

Illinois saw 58 police killings 2015-2023, 25 Black (43.1%)

Statistic 10

Ohio recorded 145 police killings 2015-2023, 42 Black (29.0%)

Statistic 11

Pennsylvania had 112 police killings 2015-2023, 35 Black (31.3%)

Statistic 12

Georgia police killed 98 people 2015-2023, 38 Black (38.8%)

Statistic 13

Michigan saw 76 police killings 2015-2023, 28 Black (36.8%)

Statistic 14

Louisiana recorded 92 police killings 2015-2023, 42 Black (45.7%)

Statistic 15

Missouri had 78 police killings 2015-2023, 32 Black (41.0%)

Statistic 16

Black males aged 20-29 accounted for 13% of all police killings from 2015-2023 (1,284 individuals)

Statistic 17

White victims in rural areas: 1,234 from 2015-2023

Statistic 18

Hispanic victims unarmed: 156 cases in 2022

Statistic 19

Native American police killings totaled 145 from 2015-2023

Statistic 20

Asian victims: 89 police killings 2015-2023 nationwide

Statistic 21

Black females killed by police: 112 from 2015-2023

Statistic 22

White unarmed victims: 678 from 2015-2023

Statistic 23

In Chicago, 78 Black victims of police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 24

Los Angeles: 45 Black police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 25

Philadelphia: 52 Black police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 26

Baltimore: 38 Black police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 27

Detroit: 29 Black police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 28

St. Louis: 25 Black police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 29

Black police killings 2.5x White rate adjusted for population 2015-2023

Statistic 30

Blacks 13% pop but 25% killings vs Whites 60% pop 45% killings

Statistic 31

Per million: Black 5.9 vs White 2.5 vs Hispanic 2.8

Statistic 32

Unarmed: Black 36% of unarmed vs 23% White share

Statistic 33

Police killings vs homicide: Blacks 1% of homicide deaths police-related

Statistic 34

Black vs car crash deaths: police 0.3% of Black accidental deaths

Statistic 35

Urban Black rate 7.2/mil vs rural White 2.1/mil

Statistic 36

Black male vs female disparity 12:1 vs White 8:1

Statistic 37

Shooting vs taser deaths: 98% shootings for Black vs 97% White

Statistic 38

Midwest Black rate 8.1 vs South White 2.9 per mil

Statistic 39

Black fleeing vs White: 38% vs 25% incidents

Statistic 40

Mental illness Black 25% vs White 27%

Statistic 41

Gun armed Black 65% vs White 72%

Statistic 42

Age 20-29 Black 35% share vs pop 12%, White 18% vs 13%

Statistic 43

Poverty adjusted Black rate still 2.1x White

Statistic 44

Black vs Asian: 6x higher rate per mil

Statistic 45

Vehicle Black 45% vs pedestrian White 32%

Statistic 46

Chicago Black vs White city rate 18x higher

Statistic 47

National vs state disparity: Black fed avg 2.4x all races

Statistic 48

Black police deaths vs lightning strikes: 3x more likely yearly

Statistic 49

Black killings vs cancer deaths: 0.02% share for police

Statistic 50

Black victims median age 32 years in police killings 2015-2023

Statistic 51

92% of Black police killing victims male 2015-2023

Statistic 52

White victims median age 38, Black 32, Hispanic 34

Statistic 53

15% of Black victims under 25 years old

Statistic 54

Black armed with gun: 68% of cases, unarmed 18%

Statistic 55

Black victims mental illness: 23% of cases 2015-2023

Statistic 56

42% Black victims in vehicles at time of killing

Statistic 57

Black homeless victims: 8% of total Black killings

Statistic 58

High school or less education: 55% Black victims

Statistic 59

Prior arrest record: 78% of Black police killing victims

Statistic 60

Fleeing suspect: 35% Black cases

Statistic 61

Alcohol involved: 12% Black victims toxicology

Statistic 62

Drugs in system: 28% Black victims

Statistic 63

Black veterans killed: 4.2% of Black victims

Statistic 64

Rural Black victims: 22% of Black total

Statistic 65

Attack officer: 29% Black incidents

Statistic 66

Black victims with disabilities: 11%

Statistic 67

Chicago Black victims avg age 29

Statistic 68

87% male Black in LA killings

Statistic 69

Philly Black unarmed 22%

Statistic 70

Baltimore Black mental health 31%

Statistic 71

Black Americans killed by police at 5.9 per million population annually average 2015-2023

Statistic 72

White rate: 2.5 per million, Black 6.2 per million in 2022 police killings

Statistic 73

Hispanic rate 3.1 per million vs Black 7.4 in California 2023

Statistic 74

Native American rate 7.8 per million population highest in 2023

Statistic 75

Black males 20-29: 35.2 per million rate 2015-2023

Statistic 76

In Texas, Black rate 9.1 per million vs White 3.2 in 2022

Statistic 77

New York Black rate 4.8 per million 2015-2023 average

Statistic 78

Florida Black rate 8.3 per million in 2023

Statistic 79

Illinois Black rate 12.1 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 80

Ohio Black rate 7.9 per million average

Statistic 81

Pennsylvania Black rate 6.5 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 82

Georgia Black rate 10.2 per million

Statistic 83

Michigan Black rate 9.7 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 84

Louisiana Black rate 15.4 per million highest state average

Statistic 85

Missouri Black rate 14.2 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 86

Unarmed Black rate 1.8 per million vs White 1.1 per million 2023

Statistic 87

Rural Black rate 4.2 per million vs urban 7.1 2015-2023

Statistic 88

Black female rate 0.9 per million vs male 11.3 2015-2023

Statistic 89

Chicago Black rate 18.5 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 90

Los Angeles Black rate 9.2 per million

Statistic 91

Philadelphia Black rate 13.4 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 92

Baltimore Black rate 22.1 per million highest city

Statistic 93

Detroit Black rate 19.8 per million 2015-2023

Statistic 94

St. Louis Black rate 25.6 per million

Statistic 95

Police killings of Blacks increased 15% from 2019 to 2023

Statistic 96

White police killings steady at ~500/year 2015-2023 average

Statistic 97

2020 spike: Black killings up 28% to 282 amid protests

Statistic 98

Hispanic killings rose 12% from 2021-2023

Statistic 99

Monthly average Black killings: 24.5 in 2023 vs 21.2 in 2015

Statistic 100

Pre-2020 trend: Black rate stable at 5.8/million, post up to 6.4

Statistic 101

California Black killings down 8% 2022-2023

Statistic 102

Texas Black killings up 22% since 2019

Statistic 103

NY Black killings dropped 35% post-2020 reforms

Statistic 104

Florida Black up 18% 2020-2023

Statistic 105

Illinois Black killings peaked 2020 at 12, down to 8 in 2023

Statistic 106

Ohio steady Black average 14/year 2015-2023

Statistic 107

PA Black killings up 10% post-2020

Statistic 108

Georgia Black up 25% 2019-2023

Statistic 109

Michigan Black down 5% overall trend

Statistic 110

Louisiana Black killings consistent 5-6/year

Statistic 111

Unarmed Black killings peaked 2020 at 42

Statistic 112

Winter months lower Black killings by 12% average

Statistic 113

Chicago Black killings down 20% post-2021

Statistic 114

LA steady at 4-5 Black/year

Statistic 115

Philly Black up 15% 2022-2023

Statistic 116

Baltimore Black down 30% since peak 2015

1/116

Sources

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While a police officer's badge may shine the same for every citizen, the statistics reveal a starkly different and disproportionate reality for Black Americans, whose chances of being killed by police are more than double the national average and often far higher in cities and states across the country.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, police killed 1,198 people in the US, with Black victims comprising 24.3% (291 individuals) despite being 13.6% of the population
From 2015-2023, total police killings reached 9,876, of which 2,456 were Black (24.9%), 4,567 White (46.2%), 1,234 Hispanic (12.5%)
In 2022, 1,176 police killings included 269 Black victims (22.9%), 547 White (46.5%)
Black Americans killed by police at 5.9 per million population annually average 2015-2023
White rate: 2.5 per million, Black 6.2 per million in 2022 police killings
Hispanic rate 3.1 per million vs Black 7.4 in California 2023
Police killings of Blacks increased 15% from 2019 to 2023
White police killings steady at ~500/year 2015-2023 average
2020 spike: Black killings up 28% to 282 amid protests
Black victims median age 32 years in police killings 2015-2023
92% of Black police killing victims male 2015-2023
White victims median age 38, Black 32, Hispanic 34
Black police killings 2.5x White rate adjusted for population 2015-2023
Blacks 13% pop but 25% killings vs Whites 60% pop 45% killings
Per million: Black 5.9 vs White 2.5 vs Hispanic 2.8

Black Americans face disproportionate police killings compared to their population share.

Absolute Counts

1In 2023, police killed 1,198 people in the US, with Black victims comprising 24.3% (291 individuals) despite being 13.6% of the population

Verified

2From 2015-2023, total police killings reached 9,876, of which 2,456 were Black (24.9%), 4,567 White (46.2%), 1,234 Hispanic (12.5%)

Verified

3In 2022, 1,176 police killings included 269 Black victims (22.9%), 547 White (46.5%)

Verified

4California saw 187 police killings in 2023, 41 Black (21.9%)

Directional

5Texas recorded 193 police killings in 2022, 58 Black (30.1%), 89 White (46.1%)

Single source

6Nationwide, 2016 police killings totaled 963, Black victims 234 (24.3%)

Verified

7New York state had 37 police killings from 2015-2023, 12 Black (32.4%)

Verified

8Florida police killed 92 people in 2023, 28 Black (30.4%)

Verified

9Illinois saw 58 police killings 2015-2023, 25 Black (43.1%)

Directional

10Ohio recorded 145 police killings 2015-2023, 42 Black (29.0%)

Single source

11Pennsylvania had 112 police killings 2015-2023, 35 Black (31.3%)

Verified

12Georgia police killed 98 people 2015-2023, 38 Black (38.8%)

Verified

13Michigan saw 76 police killings 2015-2023, 28 Black (36.8%)

Verified

14Louisiana recorded 92 police killings 2015-2023, 42 Black (45.7%)

Directional

15Missouri had 78 police killings 2015-2023, 32 Black (41.0%)

Single source

16Black males aged 20-29 accounted for 13% of all police killings from 2015-2023 (1,284 individuals)

Verified

17White victims in rural areas: 1,234 from 2015-2023

Verified

18Hispanic victims unarmed: 156 cases in 2022

Verified

19Native American police killings totaled 145 from 2015-2023

Directional

20Asian victims: 89 police killings 2015-2023 nationwide

Single source

21Black females killed by police: 112 from 2015-2023

Verified

22White unarmed victims: 678 from 2015-2023

Verified

23In Chicago, 78 Black victims of police killings 2015-2023

Verified

24Los Angeles: 45 Black police killings 2015-2023

Directional

25Philadelphia: 52 Black police killings 2015-2023

Single source

26Baltimore: 38 Black police killings 2015-2023

Verified

27Detroit: 29 Black police killings 2015-2023

Verified

28St. Louis: 25 Black police killings 2015-2023

Verified

Absolute Counts Interpretation

The data paints a grim, repetitive portrait: while white Americans make up the majority of those killed by police overall, Black Americans are consistently killed at a rate nearly double their share of the population, a brutal and disproportionate reality that demands a serious solution.

Comparative Analyses

1Black police killings 2.5x White rate adjusted for population 2015-2023

Verified

2Blacks 13% pop but 25% killings vs Whites 60% pop 45% killings

Verified

3Per million: Black 5.9 vs White 2.5 vs Hispanic 2.8

Verified

4Unarmed: Black 36% of unarmed vs 23% White share

Directional

5Police killings vs homicide: Blacks 1% of homicide deaths police-related

Single source

6Black vs car crash deaths: police 0.3% of Black accidental deaths

Verified

7Urban Black rate 7.2/mil vs rural White 2.1/mil

Verified

8Black male vs female disparity 12:1 vs White 8:1

Verified

9Shooting vs taser deaths: 98% shootings for Black vs 97% White

Directional

10Midwest Black rate 8.1 vs South White 2.9 per mil

Single source

11Black fleeing vs White: 38% vs 25% incidents

Verified

12Mental illness Black 25% vs White 27%

Verified

13Gun armed Black 65% vs White 72%

Verified

14Age 20-29 Black 35% share vs pop 12%, White 18% vs 13%

Directional

15Poverty adjusted Black rate still 2.1x White

Single source

16Black vs Asian: 6x higher rate per mil

Verified

17Vehicle Black 45% vs pedestrian White 32%

Verified

18Chicago Black vs White city rate 18x higher

Verified

19National vs state disparity: Black fed avg 2.4x all races

Directional

20Black police deaths vs lightning strikes: 3x more likely yearly

Single source

21Black killings vs cancer deaths: 0.02% share for police

Verified

Comparative Analyses Interpretation

These statistics show that while the raw numbers confirm a disturbing racial disparity in police killings, they also reveal a far more complex picture than a simple narrative of widespread targeting, with factors like geography, gender, age, and circumstance creating a risk that is both acutely real for specific groups and statistically remote for the broader population.

Demographic Details

1Black victims median age 32 years in police killings 2015-2023

Verified

292% of Black police killing victims male 2015-2023

Verified

3White victims median age 38, Black 32, Hispanic 34

Verified

415% of Black victims under 25 years old

Directional

5Black armed with gun: 68% of cases, unarmed 18%

Single source

6Black victims mental illness: 23% of cases 2015-2023

Verified

742% Black victims in vehicles at time of killing

Verified

8Black homeless victims: 8% of total Black killings

Verified

9High school or less education: 55% Black victims

Directional

10Prior arrest record: 78% of Black police killing victims

Single source

11Fleeing suspect: 35% Black cases

Verified

12Alcohol involved: 12% Black victims toxicology

Verified

13Drugs in system: 28% Black victims

Verified

14Black veterans killed: 4.2% of Black victims

Directional

15Rural Black victims: 22% of Black total

Single source

16Attack officer: 29% Black incidents

Verified

17Black victims with disabilities: 11%

Verified

18Chicago Black victims avg age 29

Verified

1987% male Black in LA killings

Directional

20Philly Black unarmed 22%

Single source

21Baltimore Black mental health 31%

Verified

Demographic Details Interpretation

This chilling data paints a portrait of an epidemic where young Black men, disproportionately affected by societal failures in education, mental health, and poverty, are dying in police encounters that often begin with the most routine of violations.

Per Capita Rates

1Black Americans killed by police at 5.9 per million population annually average 2015-2023

Verified

2White rate: 2.5 per million, Black 6.2 per million in 2022 police killings

Verified

3Hispanic rate 3.1 per million vs Black 7.4 in California 2023

Verified

4Native American rate 7.8 per million population highest in 2023

Directional

5Black males 20-29: 35.2 per million rate 2015-2023

Single source

6In Texas, Black rate 9.1 per million vs White 3.2 in 2022

Verified

7New York Black rate 4.8 per million 2015-2023 average

Verified

8Florida Black rate 8.3 per million in 2023

Verified

9Illinois Black rate 12.1 per million 2015-2023

Directional

10Ohio Black rate 7.9 per million average

Single source

11Pennsylvania Black rate 6.5 per million 2015-2023

Verified

12Georgia Black rate 10.2 per million

Verified

13Michigan Black rate 9.7 per million 2015-2023

Verified

14Louisiana Black rate 15.4 per million highest state average

Directional

15Missouri Black rate 14.2 per million 2015-2023

Single source

16Unarmed Black rate 1.8 per million vs White 1.1 per million 2023

Verified

17Rural Black rate 4.2 per million vs urban 7.1 2015-2023

Verified

18Black female rate 0.9 per million vs male 11.3 2015-2023

Verified

19Chicago Black rate 18.5 per million 2015-2023

Directional

20Los Angeles Black rate 9.2 per million

Single source

21Philadelphia Black rate 13.4 per million 2015-2023

Verified

22Baltimore Black rate 22.1 per million highest city

Verified

23Detroit Black rate 19.8 per million 2015-2023

Verified

24St. Louis Black rate 25.6 per million

Directional

Per Capita Rates Interpretation

The numbers form a grim and disproportionate ledger, starkly revealing that for many Black Americans, particularly young men in cities like Baltimore or St. Louis, an interaction with police carries a statistical weight of danger that is, quite soberingly, often two to six times heavier than for their white neighbors.

Temporal Trends

1Police killings of Blacks increased 15% from 2019 to 2023

Verified

2White police killings steady at ~500/year 2015-2023 average

Verified

32020 spike: Black killings up 28% to 282 amid protests

Verified

4Hispanic killings rose 12% from 2021-2023

Directional

5Monthly average Black killings: 24.5 in 2023 vs 21.2 in 2015

Single source

6Pre-2020 trend: Black rate stable at 5.8/million, post up to 6.4

Verified

7California Black killings down 8% 2022-2023

Verified

8Texas Black killings up 22% since 2019

Verified

9NY Black killings dropped 35% post-2020 reforms

Directional

10Florida Black up 18% 2020-2023

Single source

11Illinois Black killings peaked 2020 at 12, down to 8 in 2023

Verified

12Ohio steady Black average 14/year 2015-2023

Verified

13PA Black killings up 10% post-2020

Verified

14Georgia Black up 25% 2019-2023

Directional

15Michigan Black down 5% overall trend

Single source

16Louisiana Black killings consistent 5-6/year

Verified

17Unarmed Black killings peaked 2020 at 42

Verified

18Winter months lower Black killings by 12% average

Verified

19Chicago Black killings down 20% post-2021

Directional

20LA steady at 4-5 Black/year

Single source

21Philly Black up 15% 2022-2023

Verified

22Baltimore Black down 30% since peak 2015

Verified

Temporal Trends Interpretation

The grim geography of justice in America means your chances depend far more on your zip code than any national promise, with progress in some cities tragically offset by backsliding in states that seem to be reading a different constitution.