COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Itasca County, Minnesota
Road fatality data for Itasca County (MN). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 45
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 7
- Latest Year Deaths
- 15.4
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Itasca County ranks #1,222 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #18 of 64 rated counties in MN. Itasca County's fatality rate of 15.4 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.
- #1,222 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #18 of 64
- in MN by rate
- 52%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Itasca County, Minnesota recorded 45 total road fatalities across 40 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 5.0 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 15.4 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.
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Itasca County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Minnesota 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 Itasca 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 Itasca County's 45-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
45
Latest Year
7
Avg Annual
5.0
Rate per 100K
15.4
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Itasca County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Itasca County is 36% deadlier 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 Minnesota, Itasca County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 11.3 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Itasca County's rate and the state average is 4.1 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Sherburne County, at 16.6 per 100,000 (a difference of 1.2). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Faribault County (36.0), Chippewa County (32.9), Kandiyohi County (29.7), Renville County (27.9), Watonwan County (27.1), Redwood County (26.2), Fillmore County (23.2), Houston County (21.5), Morrison County (20.4), Aitkin County (18.6), Lake County (18.4), Rice County (17.7), Becker County (17.0), Sherburne County (16.6).
Itasca County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
15 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 52% 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
Itasca County's rate vs. the Minnesota state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Itasca County, Minnesota?
Itasca County recorded 45 total traffic fatalities across 40 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 7 fatalities. The county averages approximately 5.0 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Itasca County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Itasca County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Minnesota may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Itasca County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Itasca 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 Itasca County?
Itasca County has a fatality rate of 15.4 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 Itasca County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Itasca County ranks #1,222 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #18 of 64 rated counties in MN, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Itasca County compare to the rest of Minnesota?
Itasca County's per-capita rate of 15.4 per 100,000 residents is above the Minnesota county average of 11.3. Visit the Minnesota state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Itasca 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.