Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in United States

United States: Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries was 26 attacks in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
26 attacks
Change on year
down 74.8%
World rank
25th
of 187 countries
All-time high
468 attacks
in 1970
All-time low
6 attacks
in 2006
Years of data
51
1970–2021

Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in United States, 1970–2021

0100200300400500197019952021

Source: National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in attacks.

Analysis

United States recorded 26 attacks for terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in 2021.

That represents a change of down 74.8% on the previous year and up 188.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in United States peaked at 468 attacks in 1970 and was at its lowest, 6 attacks, in 2006.

United States ranks 25th of 187 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 147.5 attacks 58 attacks 468 attacks 10
1980s 51.7 attacks 27 attacks 77 attacks 10
1990s 41.33 attacks 31 attacks 60 attacks 9
2000s 23.4 attacks 6 attacks 47 attacks 10
2010s 42 attacks 9 attacks 76 attacks 10
2020s 64.5 attacks 26 attacks 103 attacks 2

Countries ranked near United States

  1. 22 Ethiopia 36 attacks compare
  2. 23 Kenya 33 attacks compare
  3. 24 Thailand 27 attacks compare
  4. 25 Indonesia 26 attacks compare
  5. 27 Mexico 21 attacks compare
  6. 28 France 19 attacks compare

See the full ranking of 188 places →

More reference data data for United States

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in United States?
Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in United States was 26 attacks in 2021, according to National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries recorded in United States?
The highest recorded value was 468 attacks in 1970.
What is the lowest terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries recorded in United States?
The lowest recorded value was 6 attacks in 2006.
How does United States rank for terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries?
United States ranks 25th out of 187 countries with data for 2021.
Is terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries rising or falling in United States?
Over the last ten years it is up 188.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United States data come from?
The figures come from National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 51 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries
Unit
attacks
Source
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
188 places, 9,021 data points, 1970–2021
Last refreshed

Total number of terrorist attacks.