COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Imperial County, California
Road fatality data for Imperial County (CA). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 268
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 16
- Latest Year Deaths
- 8.9
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Imperial County ranks #1,878 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #40 of 54 rated counties in CA. Imperial County's fatality rate of 8.9 per 100,000 residents leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #1,878 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #40 of 54
- in CA by rate
- 81%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Imperial County, California recorded 268 total road fatalities across 226 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 16 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 29.8 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 8.9 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it safer 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 (226 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Imperial County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the California 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 Imperial 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 Imperial County's 268-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
268
Latest Year
16
Avg Annual
29.8
Rate per 100K
8.9
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Imperial County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Imperial County is 47% 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 California, Imperial County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 16.9 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Imperial County's rate and the state average is 8.0 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Colusa County, at 22.7 per 100,000 (a difference of 13.8). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Trinity County (51.1), Glenn County (46.2), Siskiyou County (42.0), Inyo County (37.8), Tuolumne County (35.1), Calaveras County (30.1), Lake County (28.0), Amador County (26.3), Kings County (24.9), Mendocino County (24.7), Lassen County (24.3), Sutter County (23.5), Yuba County (23.3), Colusa County (22.7).
Imperial County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
9 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 81% 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
Imperial County's rate vs. the California state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Imperial County, California?
Imperial County recorded 268 total traffic fatalities across 226 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 16 fatalities. The county averages approximately 29.8 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Imperial County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (226 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Imperial County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for California may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Imperial County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Imperial 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 Imperial County?
Imperial County has a fatality rate of 8.9 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Where does Imperial County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Imperial County ranks #1,878 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #40 of 54 rated counties in CA, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Imperial County compare to the rest of California?
Imperial County's per-capita rate of 8.9 per 100,000 residents is below the California county average of 16.9. Visit the California state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Imperial 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.