COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Lancaster County, South Carolina
Road fatality data for Lancaster County (SC). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 132
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 15
- Latest Year Deaths
- 13.9
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Lancaster County ranks #1,364 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #38 of 44 rated counties in SC. Lancaster County's fatality rate of 13.9 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.
- #1,364 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #38 of 44
- in SC by rate
- 58%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Lancaster County, South Carolina recorded 132 total road fatalities across 119 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 15 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 14.7 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 13.9 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.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (119 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Lancaster County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the South Carolina 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster County's 132-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
132
Latest Year
15
Avg Annual
14.7
Rate per 100K
13.9
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Lancaster County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Lancaster County is 50% 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 South Carolina, Lancaster County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 27.9 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Lancaster County's rate and the state average is 14.0 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Georgetown County, at 31.9 per 100,000 (a difference of 18.0). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Fairfield County (73.5), Jasper County (56.6), Clarendon County (51.6), Calhoun County (49.3), Bamberg County (46.2), Marion County (45.6), Orangeburg County (44.7), Dillon County (43.3), Darlington County (43.3), Colleton County (41.2), Marlboro County (38.9), Laurens County (37.8), Chester County (34.1), Georgetown County (31.9).
Lancaster County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
14 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 58% 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
Lancaster County's rate vs. the South Carolina state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Lancaster County, South Carolina?
Lancaster County recorded 132 total traffic fatalities across 119 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 15 fatalities. The county averages approximately 14.7 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Lancaster County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (119 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Lancaster County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for South Carolina may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Lancaster County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Lancaster 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 Lancaster County?
Lancaster County has a fatality rate of 13.9 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 Lancaster County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Lancaster County ranks #1,364 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #38 of 44 rated counties in SC, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Lancaster County compare to the rest of South Carolina?
Lancaster County's per-capita rate of 13.9 per 100,000 residents is below the South Carolina county average of 27.9. Visit the South Carolina state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Lancaster 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.