Fatal Traffic Crashes by ZIP Code — NHTSA Data
Data source: ZipCheckup analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 data, mapped to ZIP codes via county FIPS
In 2022, 42,795 people died in traffic crashes on American roads. That's 117 per day. One every 12 minutes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks every fatal crash through FARS — the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. ZipCheckup mapped this data to 42,675 ZIP codes so you can see your neighborhood's risk.
The Geography of Traffic Death
The national average: 12.9 fatalities per 100,000 people. But that average hides enormous variation:
| Rate (per 100K) | Example Counties | vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 22.5 | Orleans Parish, LA | 1.74x |
| 21.8 | St. Louis City, MO | 1.69x |
| 20.6 | Polk County, FL | 1.60x |
| 19.2 | Duval County, FL | 1.49x |
| 18.8 | Shelby County, TN | 1.46x |
| ... | ... | ... |
| 5.3 | Kings County, NY | 0.41x |
| 5.1 | Queens County, NY | 0.40x |
| 4.0 | New York County, NY | 0.31x |
The safest and most dangerous places differ by a factor of 5.6x. Living in Orleans Parish versus Manhattan means a dramatically different probability of dying in a traffic crash.
5,083 ZIP Codes with County-Level Data
ZipCheckup mapped the top 50 counties by total fatal crashes — covering the metro areas where most Americans live. These 50 counties account for over 8,400 traffic fatalities — nearly 20% of the national total from just 50 of 3,143 counties.
Key findings from our mapping:
- Harris County, TX (Houston): 838 fatalities — the single deadliest county, with a rate of 17.5 per 100K
- Los Angeles County, CA: 1,290 fatalities — highest absolute count, but the 12.8 per 100K rate is near the national average due to its enormous population
- Maricopa County, AZ (Phoenix): 628 fatalities at 14.1 per 100K — the hot, car-dependent sprawl contributes to pedestrian deaths
- Clark County, NV (Las Vegas): 322 fatalities at 14.1 per 100K — tourism, nightlife, and highway speeds
What the Numbers Mean for Families
Traffic fatality rate is one of the most directly actionable safety metrics for families choosing where to live:
- School route safety — counties with high pedestrian fatality rates also tend to have dangerous school walking routes
- Insurance premiums — auto insurance costs 15-40% more in high-fatality areas
- Teen driver risk — the county-level rate directly affects the statistical danger for new drivers in your household
- Emergency response — areas with high crash volumes may have longer EMS response times during peak hours
ZipCheckup integrates traffic crash data into the Compound Home Risk Portfolio alongside 12 other risk verticals, giving you a single view of all the factors that affect safety at your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national average traffic fatality rate?
The national average in 2022 was 12.9 deaths per 100,000 population, based on 42,795 total traffic fatalities. However, rates vary dramatically — from under 5 per 100,000 in New York City boroughs to over 22 per 100,000 in St. Louis City and New Orleans.
Which counties have the highest traffic fatality rates?
Among major counties, St. Louis City (21.8 per 100K), New Orleans Parish (22.5), Polk County FL (20.6), Duval County FL (19.2), and Shelby County TN (18.8) have the highest rates — roughly 1.5-2x the national average.
Does traffic safety affect home safety scores?
Yes. ZipCheckup integrates NHTSA FARS data as one of 17 risk verticals in the Compound Home Risk Portfolio. ZIP codes in high-fatality counties receive elevated risk scores that factor into the overall safety assessment.
What causes high traffic fatality rates in certain areas?
Key factors include road design (wide, high-speed roads through residential areas), impaired driving rates, pedestrian infrastructure, speed enforcement, and emergency response times. Rural areas often have higher per-capita rates due to longer response times and higher travel speeds.