COUNTY FATALITY DATA

Johnston County: larger FARS fatality book

Johnston County (NC) holds a larger FARS book (274, #219 of 3,137) with 32 latest-year deaths.

274
Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
32
Latest Year Deaths
Very high count
13.2
Per 100k Residents
Below average
Increasing
Trend

Larger fatality book

Johnston County ranks #219 of 3,137 by total FARS fatalities (274 across 2016-2023) - top-third book size.

Johnston County in the larger-book third

According to NHTSA FARS, Johnston County carries a top-third fatality book (274 across 2016-2023, #219 of 3,137) at 13.2/100k.

#1,426 of 2,328
among rated U.S. counties by rate
#219 of 3,137
larger-book third
#57 of 94
in NC by rate
Increasing
fatality trend

NHTSA county milepost

Milepost JOHNSTON-101 · Johnston 13.2/100k · #1,426 of 2,328

Johnston County · 13.2/100k · increasing

  • MILE 13.2/100k
  • POST #1,426 of 2,328
  • BAND 274 book
  • VOL Increasing
  • AVG 254 crash
  • YOY -29.7% vs NC

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 → · North Carolina state profile →

How does Johnston County compare?

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

Johnston County
13.2 per 100k
North Carolina county average
18.8 per 100k

Johnston County is 30% 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 North Carolina, Johnston County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 18.8 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Johnston County's rate and the state average is 5.6 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Edgecombe County, at 28.7 per 100,000 (a difference of 15.5). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Robeson County (55.4), Scotland County (52.4), Montgomery County (49.8), Bertie County (47.3), Halifax County (44.4), Sampson County (41.9), Duplin County (38.4), Warren County (37.2), Alexander County (32.9), Anson County (32.0), Columbus County (31.9), Bladen County (30.5), Gates County (29.0, limited data), Edgecombe County (28.7).

Johnston County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county

Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population

13 Lower than most a lower per-capita rate than 61% 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

0 30 North Carolina avg 19/100k 13.2 /100k
Johnston County's rate vs. the North Carolina state average

More road safety data related to Johnston County

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many traffic fatalities occurred in Johnston County, North Carolina?

Johnston County recorded 274 total traffic fatalities across 254 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 32 fatalities. The county averages approximately 30.4 fatalities per year.

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

Despite a comparatively active crash history (254 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Johnston County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for North Carolina may provide additional context.

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

The trend in Johnston 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 Johnston County?

Johnston County has a fatality rate of 13.2 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 Johnston County rank for road fatality rate?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Johnston County ranks #1,426 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #57 of 94 rated counties in NC, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.

How does Johnston County compare to the rest of North Carolina?

Johnston County's per-capita rate of 13.2 per 100,000 residents is below the North Carolina county average of 18.8. Visit the North Carolina state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.

Where does the road fatality data for Johnston 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.