COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Lafayette County, Missouri
Road fatality data for Lafayette County (MO). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 55
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 10
- Latest Year Deaths
- 30.1
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Lafayette County ranks #386 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #14 of 84 rated counties in MO. Lafayette County's fatality rate of 30.1 per 100,000 residents leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #386 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #14 of 84
- in MO by rate
- 16%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Lafayette County, Missouri recorded 55 total road fatalities across 51 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 10 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 6.1 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 30.1 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.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (51 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Lafayette County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Missouri 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette County's 55-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
55
Latest Year
10
Avg Annual
6.1
Rate per 100K
30.1
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Lafayette County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Lafayette County is 38% 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 Missouri, Lafayette County ranks 14 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 21.8 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Lafayette County's rate and the state average is 8.3 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Dunklin County, at 29.6 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.5). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Ripley County (74.0), Pemiscot County (54.7), Morgan County (54.6), Barry County (53.9), Lawrence County (51.5), Douglas County (49.1), Ralls County (47.7), Bates County (43.1), New Madrid County (38.9), Bollinger County (37.9), Saline County (34.7), Stone County (33.7), Wright County (30.9), Dunklin County (29.6).
Lafayette County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
30 16th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 16% 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
Lafayette County's rate vs. the Missouri state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Lafayette County, Missouri?
Lafayette County recorded 55 total traffic fatalities across 51 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 10 fatalities. The county averages approximately 6.1 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Lafayette County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (51 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Lafayette County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Missouri may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Lafayette County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Lafayette 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 Lafayette County?
Lafayette County has a fatality rate of 30.1 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 Lafayette County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Lafayette County ranks #386 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #14 of 84 rated counties in MO, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Lafayette County compare to the rest of Missouri?
Lafayette County's per-capita rate of 30.1 per 100,000 residents is above the Missouri county average of 21.8. Visit the Missouri state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Lafayette 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.