COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Horry County, South Carolina
Road fatality data for Horry County (SC). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 575
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 66
- Latest Year Deaths
- 16.6
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Horry County ranks #1,104 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #32 of 44 rated counties in SC. Horry County's fatality rate of 16.6 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.
- #1,104 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #32 of 44
- in SC by rate
- 47%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Horry County, South Carolina recorded 575 total road fatalities across 536 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 66 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 63.9 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 16.6 per 100,000 residents, which places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (536 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Horry County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the South Carolina 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 Horry County is increasing, which means annual fatalities have risen across the reporting period and may warrant closer attention from local transportation and enforcement agencies. Residents, insurers, and policy analysts can use this baseline alongside population density, highway mile data, and rural-versus-urban road mix to judge whether Horry County's 575-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
575
Latest Year
66
Avg Annual
63.9
Rate per 100K
16.6
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Horry County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Horry County is 41% safer than the comparison
2023 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 and a 2023 FARS record.
Among the 15 rated counties in South Carolina, Horry County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 27.9 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Horry County's rate and the state average is 11.3 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Georgetown County, at 31.9 per 100,000 (a difference of 15.3). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Fairfield County (73.5), Jasper County (56.6), Clarendon County (51.6), Calhoun County (49.3), Bamberg County (46.2), Marion County (45.6), Orangeburg County (44.7), Dillon County (43.3), Darlington County (43.3), Colleton County (41.2), Marlboro County (38.9), Laurens County (37.8), Chester County (34.1), Georgetown County (31.9).
Horry County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
17 47th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 47% of 2,328 rated counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more rated counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source NHTSA FARS over U.S. Census Bureau population estimates · 2026-08-09
Horry County's rate vs. the South Carolina state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Horry County, South Carolina?
Horry County recorded 575 total traffic fatalities across 536 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 66 fatalities. The county averages approximately 63.9 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Horry County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (536 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Horry County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for South Carolina may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Horry County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Horry County is increasing. This indicates that traffic fatalities have risen over the data period, warranting attention to road safety initiatives.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Horry County?
Horry County has a fatality rate of 16.6 per 100,000 residents, which places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Where does Horry County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Horry County ranks #1,104 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #32 of 44 rated counties in SC, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Horry County compare to the rest of South Carolina?
Horry County's per-capita rate of 16.6 per 100,000 residents is below the South Carolina county average of 27.9. Visit the South Carolina state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Horry 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.
Source: 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.
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.