COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Jay County, Indiana
Road fatality data for Jay County (IN). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 35
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 5
- Latest Year Deaths
- 25.0
- Per 100k Residents
- Stable
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Jay County ranks #578 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #15 of 84 rated counties in IN. Jay County's fatality rate of 25.0 per 100,000 residents leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #578 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #15 of 84
- in IN by rate
- 25%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Stable
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Jay County, Indiana recorded 35 total road fatalities across 33 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 5 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 3.9 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 25.0 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.
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Jay County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Indiana 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 Jay 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 Jay County's 35-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
35
Latest Year
5
Avg Annual
3.9
Rate per 100K
25.0
Trend
↔ Stable
How does Jay County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Jay County is 48% 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 Indiana, Jay County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 16.9 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Jay County's rate and the state average is 8.1 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Brown County, at 25.6 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.6). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Spencer County (40.2), Newton County (35.8), Randolph County (33.0), Pulaski County (32.3), Whitley County (31.7), Perry County (31.2), Fulton County (29.5), Crawford County (28.7), Montgomery County (28.5), White County (28.1), Jefferson County (27.2), Steuben County (25.8), Brown County (25.6), Greene County (25.6).
Jay County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
25 25th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 25% 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
Jay County's rate vs. the Indiana state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Jay County, Indiana?
Jay County recorded 35 total traffic fatalities across 33 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 5 fatalities. The county averages approximately 3.9 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Jay County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Jay County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Indiana may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Jay County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Jay County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Jay County?
Jay County has a fatality rate of 25.0 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 Jay County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Jay County ranks #578 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #15 of 84 rated counties in IN, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Jay County compare to the rest of Indiana?
Jay County's per-capita rate of 25.0 per 100,000 residents is above the Indiana county average of 16.9. Visit the Indiana state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Jay 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.