COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Brookings County, South Dakota
Road fatality data for Brookings County (SD). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 20
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 4
- Latest Year Deaths
- 6.1
- Per 100k Residents
- Decreasing
- Trend
What the Data Shows
Brookings County, South Dakota recorded 20 total road fatalities across 18 reported crashes during the 2016-2023 reporting window, according to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The most recent year covered by the data logged 4 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 2.2 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 6.1 per 100,000 residents, a per-capita figure that enables fair comparison against other counties in South Dakota and nationwide.
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Brookings County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the South Dakota state page, which aggregates county-level case files into statewide totals. Either way, the underlying records are drawn from a census of fatal crashes, not a statistical sample, so the counts are actual deaths rather than estimates.
The directional trend for Brookings County is decreasing, which suggests that road-design improvements, enforcement, or emergency-response changes are reducing the death toll. Residents, insurers, and policy analysts can use this baseline alongside population density, highway mile data, and rural-versus-urban road mix to judge whether Brookings County's 20-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
20
Latest Year
4
Avg Annual
2.2
Rate per 100K
6.1
Trend
↓ Decreasing
Context
Brookings County recorded 20 total traffic fatalities across 18 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 4 fatalities. The county averages approximately 2.2 fatalities per year.
With a fatality rate of 6.1 per 100,000 residents, Brookings County's road safety record should be considered in context with its road infrastructure, traffic volume, and rural or urban character. The downward trend is encouraging and may reflect improvements in road design, enforcement, or emergency response.
Understanding Road Safety in Brookings County
The road fatality data for Brookings County reflects the combined effects of traffic volume, road infrastructure, driver behavior, and emergency response capacity in this area. With 20 total fatalities recorded during the reporting period, this county's safety record should be considered alongside its population density, highway miles, and rural-vs-urban character. Residents and policymakers can use this data to identify whether targeted interventions, such as improved signage, speed enforcement, or infrastructure upgrades, could reduce future fatalities.
How does Brookings County compare?
Average annual road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Brookings County is 42% safer than the comparison
Average annual road deaths from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System over population from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2023). Rates shown for counties with 10,000+ residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Brookings County, South Dakota?
Brookings County recorded 20 total traffic fatalities across 18 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 4 fatalities. The county averages approximately 2.2 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Brookings County?
Specific cause-of-crash breakdowns for Brookings County are not available in the current NHTSA FARS dataset. Statewide data for South Dakota may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Brookings County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Brookings County is decreasing. This suggests road safety improvements are having a positive effect in the county.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Brookings County?
Brookings County has a fatality rate of 6.1 per 100,000 residents. This rate accounts for population size and enables meaningful comparison with other counties and the statewide average for South Dakota.
How does Brookings County compare to the rest of South Dakota?
Brookings County recorded 20 total fatalities during the 2016-2023 period. With an average of 2.2 fatalities per year, this county's record should be evaluated alongside population density, highway miles, and whether roads are primarily rural or urban. Visit the South Dakota state page for a full county comparison.
Where does the road fatality data for Brookings County come from?
All road fatality data comes from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a census of fatal motor vehicle crashes on public roads in the United States. FARS data covers the period 2016-2023 and includes all crashes resulting in at least one fatality within 30 days.
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Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) This information is for research and informational purposes only
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Every figure on PlainRoadSafety is computed directly from NHTSA FARS census data, no number is typed in by an editor. County figures are computed directly from NHTSA FARS census data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.