COUNTY FATALITY DATA

Isabella County, Michigan

Road fatality data for Isabella County (MI). Data period: 2016-2023.

77
Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
11
Latest Year Deaths
Near average count
17.2
Per 100k Residents
Below average
Increasing
Trend

Rising fatality trend

Isabella County's FARS series is labeled Increasing with 11 deaths in the latest year.

Isabella County on a rising FARS trend

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Isabella County ranks #1,051 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #21 of 74 rated counties in MI. Isabella County's fatality rate of 17.2 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.

#1,051 of 2,328
among rated U.S. counties by rate
#944 of 3,137
larger-book third
#21 of 74
in MI by rate
Increasing
fatality trend

FARS milepost strip

Milepost ISABELLA-73 · Isabella 17.2/100k · #1,051 of 2,328

Isabella County · 17.2/100k · increasing

  • CAUSE 17.2/100k
  • PHOTO #1,051 of 2,328
  • VS-ST 77 book
  • CRASH Increasing
  • FARS 68 crash
  • NHTSA +14.1% vs MI

Stamps derive from this county's NHTSA FARS row (per-100k or book, corpus rank, trend, nationwide peer NAME, vs-state gap), not a trip-risk forecast. PlainRoadSafety is informational only. See our disclaimer. Verify with NHTSA FARS → · Read with methodology → · Understanding road fatality data → · Michigan state profile →

How does Isabella County compare?

2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.

Isabella County
17.2 per 100k
Michigan county average
15.1 per 100k

Isabella 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, Isabella 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 Isabella County's rate and the state average is 2.1 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Calhoun County, at 19.5 per 100,000 (a difference of 2.3). 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).

Isabella 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 Around the middle a lower per-capita rate than 45% of 2,328 rated counties

rated U.S. counties, bucketed by value

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 and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NHTSA FARS over U.S. Census Bureau population estimates · 2026-09-03

030Michigan avg15/100k17.2/100k
Isabella County's rate vs. the Michigan state average

More road safety data related to Isabella County

Contextual links from this profile to rankings, tools, research, and peer geographies on PlainRoadSafety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many traffic fatalities occurred in Isabella County, Michigan?

Isabella County recorded 77 total traffic fatalities across 68 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 11 fatalities. The county averages approximately 8.6 fatalities per year.

What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Isabella County?

Despite a comparatively active crash history (68 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Isabella County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Michigan may provide additional context.

Is the trend of road fatalities in Isabella County increasing or decreasing?

The trend in Isabella 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 Isabella County?

Isabella County has a fatality rate of 17.2 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 Isabella County rank for road fatality rate?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Isabella County ranks #1,051 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #21 of 74 rated counties in MI, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.

How does Isabella County compare to the rest of Michigan?

Isabella County's per-capita rate of 17.2 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 Isabella 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.