COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Road fatality data for Lafayette County (WI). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 26
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 6
- Latest Year Deaths
- 35.4
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Lafayette County ranks #261 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #2 of 67 rated counties in WI. Lafayette County's fatality rate of 35.4 per 100,000 residents leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #261 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #2 of 67
- in WI by rate
- 11%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Lafayette County, Wisconsin recorded 26 total road fatalities across 25 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 6 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 2.9 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 35.4 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 Lafayette County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Wisconsin 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 26-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
26
Latest Year
6
Avg Annual
2.9
Rate per 100K
35.4
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Lafayette County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Lafayette County is 2.6× 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 Wisconsin, Lafayette County ranks 2 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 13.7 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 21.7 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Polk County, at 35.0 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.4). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Adams County (37.3), Polk County (35.0), Sawyer County (32.3), Waushara County (32.1), Lincoln County (31.7), Burnett County (29.3), Iowa County (29.2), Richland County (23.3), Buffalo County (22.4), Rusk County (21.2), Jackson County (19.2), Fond Du Lac County (19.2), Green County (18.9), Oneida County (18.3).
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
35 11th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 11% 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 Wisconsin state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Lafayette County, Wisconsin?
Lafayette County recorded 26 total traffic fatalities across 25 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 6 fatalities. The county averages approximately 2.9 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Lafayette County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Lafayette County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Wisconsin 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 35.4 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 #261 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #2 of 67 rated counties in WI, 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 Wisconsin?
Lafayette County's per-capita rate of 35.4 per 100,000 residents is above the Wisconsin county average of 13.7. Visit the Wisconsin 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.