New study shows Nebraska has the lowest overdose death rate in the US

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — In a new study, Nebraska has been shown to have the lowest overdose death rate in the U.S.

The study, done by AddictionResource by Recovery Guide, analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records of overdose death rates among the 50 states and compared them. Nebraska had 1,298 overdose deaths from 2019 to 2025.

Nebraska had 7.8 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in 2025. The national rate is 20.3.

The state’s overdose death rate reached its peak in 2022 at 11.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, and has fallen 31.8% since then.

Specifically, Lancaster County’s rate dropped 43.9% from 15.5 to 8.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, ranking 165th in counties.