NHTSA FARS 2020–2024 · Census population
Most Dangerous Counties in the US
Quick answer: By death rate, Orangeburg County, South Carolina is the most dangerous large county in the US (51.6 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2020–2024, counties with 50,000+ people). By total deaths, Los Angeles County, California leads with 4,095.
Counties with 50,000+ residents
Highest road death rate in the US
| # | County | State | Deaths per 100k / year | Deaths 2020–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orangeburg County | South Carolina | 51.6 | 215 |
| 2 | Robeson County | North Carolina | 50.1 | 293 |
| 3 | Columbus County | North Carolina | 39.9 | 100 |
| 4 | Apache County | Arizona | 38.6 | 126 |
| 5 | McKinley County | New Mexico | 38.6 | 136 |
| 6 | Gila County | Arizona | 38.3 | 103 |
| 7 | Coconino County | Arizona | 37.1 | 268 |
| 8 | Navajo County | Arizona | 36.9 | 200 |
| 9 | Nye County | Nevada | 34.6 | 94 |
| 10 | Polk County | Texas | 34.5 | 91 |
| 11 | Klamath County | Oregon | 34.4 | 121 |
| 12 | Putnam County | Florida | 34.1 | 128 |
| 13 | Darlington County | South Carolina | 33.6 | 105 |
| 14 | Walton County | Florida | 33.3 | 138 |
| 15 | Rusk County | Texas | 33.3 | 88 |
| 16 | Sampson County | North Carolina | 33 | 98 |
| 17 | Columbia County | Florida | 32.9 | 118 |
| 18 | Laurens County | South Carolina | 32.3 | 111 |
| 19 | Newton County | Missouri | 31.9 | 96 |
| 20 | Van Zandt County | Texas | 31.3 | 98 |
| 21 | Pike County | Kentucky | 30.3 | 86 |
| 22 | Cherokee County | South Carolina | 30 | 85 |
| 23 | Douglas County | Oregon | 29.8 | 167 |
| 24 | Lake County | California | 29.6 | 101 |
| 25 | Nacogdoches County | Texas | 29.5 | 96 |
| 26 | Harrison County | Texas | 29.4 | 103 |
| 27 | Wise County | Texas | 29.1 | 109 |
| 28 | Chambers County | Texas | 29.1 | 75 |
| 29 | Ector County | Texas | 29 | 239 |
| 30 | Mohave County | Arizona | 28.8 | 317 |
| 31 | Acadia Parish | Louisiana | 28.4 | 81 |
| 32 | Walker County | Alabama | 28.1 | 91 |
| 33 | McMinn County | Tennessee | 28.1 | 77 |
| 34 | Lauderdale County | Mississippi | 28 | 100 |
| 35 | Jackson County | Alabama | 27.5 | 73 |
| 36 | Hoke County | North Carolina | 27.5 | 74 |
| 37 | Hinds County | Mississippi | 27.3 | 298 |
| 38 | Talladega County | Alabama | 26.9 | 109 |
| 39 | Greene County | Tennessee | 26.8 | 96 |
| 40 | Highlands County | Florida | 26.7 | 141 |
| 41 | Pittsylvania County | Virginia | 26.7 | 80 |
| 42 | Lea County | New Mexico | 26.6 | 98 |
| 43 | Lenoir County | North Carolina | 26.6 | 73 |
| 44 | Shelby County | Tennessee | 26.6 | 1,224 |
| 45 | Russell County | Alabama | 26.5 | 78 |
| 46 | Eddy County | New Mexico | 26.5 | 81 |
| 47 | Sumter County | South Carolina | 26.5 | 139 |
| 48 | Cherokee County | Texas | 26.2 | 68 |
| 49 | Marion County | Florida | 26.1 | 522 |
| 50 | Navarro County | Texas | 26 | 71 |
Total road deaths 2020–2024
Most road deaths
| # | County | State | Deaths | Per 100k / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles County | California | 4,095 | 8.3 |
| 2 | Maricopa County | Arizona | 3,053 | 13.4 |
| 3 | Harris County | Texas | 2,746 | 11.4 |
| 4 | San Bernardino County | California | 1,988 | 18.1 |
| 5 | Cook County | Illinois | 1,967 | 7.6 |
| 6 | Dallas County | Texas | 1,705 | 13 |
| 7 | Riverside County | California | 1,618 | 13.1 |
| 8 | Miami-Dade County | Florida | 1,577 | 11.5 |
| 9 | San Diego County | California | 1,486 | 9 |
| 10 | Broward County | Florida | 1,298 | 13.1 |
| 11 | Clark County | Nevada | 1,245 | 10.7 |
| 12 | Shelby County | Tennessee | 1,224 | 26.6 |
| 13 | Hillsborough County | Florida | 1,120 | 14.7 |
| 14 | Bexar County | Texas | 1,112 | 10.8 |
| 15 | Orange County | California | 1,103 | 7 |
| 16 | Wayne County | Michigan | 1,066 | 12 |
| 17 | Tarrant County | Texas | 1,051 | 9.7 |
| 18 | Palm Beach County | Florida | 1,039 | 13.5 |
| 19 | Kern County | California | 1,028 | 22.5 |
| 20 | Sacramento County | California | 963 | 12.1 |
| 21 | Orange County | Florida | 925 | 12.6 |
| 22 | Fresno County | California | 907 | 17.8 |
| 23 | Pima County | Arizona | 868 | 16.4 |
| 24 | Duval County | Florida | 845 | 16.5 |
| 25 | Travis County | Texas | 777 | 11.7 |
| 26 | Polk County | Florida | 719 | 18.2 |
| 27 | King County | Washington | 718 | 6.3 |
| 28 | Philadelphia County | Pennsylvania | 713 | 9 |
| 29 | Suffolk County | New York | 708 | 9.3 |
| 30 | Marion County | Indiana | 698 | 14.3 |
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Questions
Dangerous counties — FAQ
What is the most dangerous county in the US for driving?
By death rate, Orangeburg County, South Carolina is the most dangerous large county in the US (51.6 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2020–2024, counties with 50,000+ people). By total deaths, Los Angeles County, California leads with 4,095.
Why do rural counties have higher death rates?
Higher speeds on two-lane roads, longer distances to trauma care and fewer divided highways. Counts favour big cities; rates show the risk per resident, which is why both lists are shown.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (every fatal crash on US public roads) for 2020–2024 and U.S. Census Bureau county population estimates.