COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Houston County, Texas
Road fatality data for Houston County (TX). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 66
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 7
- Latest Year Deaths
- 31.7
- Per 100k Residents
- Stable
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Houston County ranks #340 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #51 of 160 rated counties in TX. Houston County's fatality rate of 31.7 per 100,000 residents leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #340 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #51 of 160
- in TX by rate
- 15%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Stable
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Houston County, Texas recorded 66 total road fatalities across 58 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 7 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 7.3 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 31.7 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (58 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Houston County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Texas 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 Houston County is stable, meaning annual counts have stayed within a narrow band relative to the average. Residents, insurers, and policy analysts can use this baseline alongside population density, highway mile data, and rural-versus-urban road mix to judge whether Houston County's 66-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
66
Latest Year
7
Avg Annual
7.3
Rate per 100K
31.7
Trend
↔ Stable
How does Houston County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Houston County is About the same as 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 Texas, Houston County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 27.3 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Houston County's rate and the state average is 4.4 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Nolan County, at 55.9 per 100,000 (a difference of 24.2). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Leon County (96.7), Wilbarger County (79.9), Ward County (73.0), Eastland County (72.1), Milam County (69.4), Karnes County (66.6), Dawson County (66.6), Comanche County (64.1), Falls County (63.6), Freestone County (63.6), Panola County (61.3), Blanco County (61.3), Live Oak County (60.4), Nolan County (55.9).
Houston County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
32 15th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 15% 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
Houston County's rate vs. the Texas state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Houston County, Texas?
Houston County recorded 66 total traffic fatalities across 58 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 7 fatalities. The county averages approximately 7.3 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Houston County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (58 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Houston County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Texas may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Houston County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Houston County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Houston County?
Houston County has a fatality rate of 31.7 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Where does Houston County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Houston County ranks #340 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #51 of 160 rated counties in TX, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Houston County compare to the rest of Texas?
Houston County's per-capita rate of 31.7 per 100,000 residents is above the Texas county average of 27.3. Visit the Texas state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Houston 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.