Objective To analyze the causes of injury-related deaths of permanent residents in Zigong city, so as to provide scientific references for the prevention and control of injury deaths and for putting forward to relevant health policies as well. Methods Based on the death surveillance data of Zigong from 2001 to 2009, following indicators were analyzed, such as cause specific mortality, age specific mortality and potential years of life lost (PYLL). Results An accumulative total of 10 957 people died of injury from 2001 to 2009, and the crude mortality was 38.13/100 thousands, while the standardized mortality was 36.07/100 thousands. The highest mortality was at the age of more than 65 years of age. The first six injury death causes were as follows: drowning, transport accidents except motor vehicle, suicide, motor vehicle accidents, accidental falling and accidental poisoning. The PYLL of injury death was 334 325.50 person year, APYLL was 34.67 year, and the PYLL rate was 11.63‰ which was higher in male than that of female. Conclusion The epidemiological analysis of injury-related deaths shows an ascending trend, which is the main reason resulting in the loss of residents’ life. Injury has become one of the most serious problems of public health, and it should be prevented and controlled by formulating effective measures and strategies aiming at the injury death spectrum and the target population of Zigong city.