COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Iron County, Michigan
Road fatality data for Iron County (MI). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 14
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 2
- Latest Year Deaths
- 17.0
- Per 100k Residents
- Stable
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Iron County ranks #1,070 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #24 of 74 rated counties in MI. Iron County's fatality rate of 17.0 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.
- #1,070 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #24 of 74
- in MI by rate
- 46%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Stable
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Iron County, Michigan recorded 14 total road fatalities across 13 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 2 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 1.6 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 17.0 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.
With a small recorded crash count (13), FARS does not publish an individual cause-code breakdown for Iron County, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Michigan 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 Iron 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 Iron County's 14-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
14
Latest Year
2
Avg Annual
1.6
Rate per 100K
17.0
Trend
↔ Stable
How does Iron County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Iron 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 Michigan, Iron County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 15.1 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Iron County's rate and the state average is 1.9 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Calhoun County, at 19.5 per 100,000 (a difference of 2.5). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Mackinac County (55.3), Roscommon County (50.3), Arenac County (39.6), Benzie County (32.5), Wexford County (29.3), Clare County (28.7), Sanilac County (27.2), Lake County (23.6), Manistee County (23.5), Kalkaska County (21.6), Missaukee County (19.6), Newaygo County (19.6), Calhoun County (19.5), Lenawee County (19.5).
Iron 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 46th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 46% 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
Iron County's rate vs. the Michigan state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Iron County, Michigan?
Iron County recorded 14 total traffic fatalities across 13 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 2 fatalities. The county averages approximately 1.6 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Iron County?
With a small recorded crash count (13), FARS does not publish an individual cause-code breakdown for Iron County. Statewide data for Michigan may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Iron County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Iron County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Iron County?
Iron County has a fatality rate of 17.0 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 Iron County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Iron County ranks #1,070 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #24 of 74 rated counties in MI, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Iron County compare to the rest of Michigan?
Iron County's per-capita rate of 17.0 per 100,000 residents is above the Michigan county average of 15.1. Visit the Michigan state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Iron 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.