We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Percentage of Americans Died in the US Civil War?

Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 9,758
Share

About 620,000 Americans, or 2% of the population, died in the American Civil War. That's proportionally equivalent to 6 million people today.

The US Civil War took place between the Northern states (Union) and the Southern states (Confederacy) between 1861 and 1865. The victory of the North ended slavery and formed the American states into a unified nation. The price however, was the lives of 620,000 people. This was 2% of the American population. as there were a little over 31 million US residents at the time.

The American Civil War was the conflict with the highest death toll in the world after the 1815 Napoleonic Wars and until World War I in 1914. It is also the American war with the highest number of military deaths, followed by 405,399 deaths in World War II.

More about the US Civil War:

  • The Confederate army attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay, South Carolina on April 12, 1861, triggering the start of the American Civil War.
  • The highest death toll during the American Civil War belongs to the Battle of Gettysburg in which 51,000 people died.
  • Aside from the 620,000 people killed, 476,000 were wounded and another 400,000 people were captured or went missing during the US Civil War.
Share
Discussion Comments
By anon1002976 — On Apr 04, 2020

It will be the downfall of our nation.

By voiacus — On Jul 16, 2015

The civil war and all wars were tragic so I would like to bring your attention to another war in the United States in which our military, our citizens and our children are being betrayed. The war is on the American people by the illegal alien invasion sanction by your government and others.

About 116,353 Americans have been killed by illegal aliens since 9/11 according to figures by Rep Steve King of Iowa who says 25 Americans are killed daily by illegal invaders. About 12 Americans a day are killed by drunk illegal alien drivers who think it's "macho" to drive drunk.

Share
https://www.historicalindex.org/what-percentage-of-americans-died-in-the-us-civil-war.htm
Copy this link
Historical Index, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Historical Index, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.