During the 35-year period from 1951-85, 274 completed suicides occurred among residents of a county in Minnesota. The overall age- & sex-adjusted incidence was 12.5 per 100,000 person years, similar to national averages. Men outnumber women 3.6 to 1 & incidence rates increased after middle age for men but not for women. The most common methods were firearms for men & poisoning for women. Two-thirds of the suicides occurred at home & were usually discovered by family or friends. (52 ref)