COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Leelanau County, Michigan
Road fatality data for Leelanau County (MI). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 26
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 1
- Latest Year Deaths
- 4.3
- Per 100k Residents
- Decreasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Leelanau County ranks #2,246 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #67 of 74 rated counties in MI. Leelanau County's fatality rate of 4.3 per 100,000 residents puts it among the safest one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #2,246 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #67 of 74
- in MI by rate
- 96%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Decreasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Leelanau County, Michigan recorded 26 total road fatalities across 19 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 1 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 2.9 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 4.3 per 100,000 residents, which puts it among the safest one in ten 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 Leelanau County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Michigan 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 Leelanau County is decreasing, which suggests that road-design improvements, enforcement, or emergency-response changes are reducing the death toll. Residents, insurers, and policy analysts can use this baseline alongside population density, highway mile data, and rural-versus-urban road mix to judge whether Leelanau County's 26-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
26
Latest Year
1
Avg Annual
2.9
Rate per 100K
4.3
Trend
↓ Decreasing
How does Leelanau County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Leelanau County is 72% 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 Michigan, Leelanau County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 15.1 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate puts it among the safest one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Leelanau County's rate and the state average is 10.8 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Calhoun County, at 19.5 per 100,000 (a difference of 15.2). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Mackinac County (55.3), Roscommon County (50.3), Arenac County (39.6), Benzie County (32.5), Wexford County (29.3), Clare County (28.7), Sanilac County (27.2), Lake County (23.6), Manistee County (23.5), Kalkaska County (21.6), Missaukee County (19.6), Newaygo County (19.6), Calhoun County (19.5), Lenawee County (19.5).
Leelanau County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
4 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 96% 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
Leelanau County's rate vs. the Michigan state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Leelanau County, Michigan?
Leelanau County recorded 26 total traffic fatalities across 19 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 1 fatalities. The county averages approximately 2.9 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Leelanau County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Leelanau County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Michigan may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Leelanau County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Leelanau County is decreasing. This suggests road safety improvements are having a positive effect in the county.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Leelanau County?
Leelanau County has a fatality rate of 4.3 per 100,000 residents, which puts it among the safest one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Where does Leelanau County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Leelanau County ranks #2,246 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #67 of 74 rated counties in MI, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Leelanau County compare to the rest of Michigan?
Leelanau County's per-capita rate of 4.3 per 100,000 residents is below the Michigan county average of 15.1. Visit the Michigan state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Leelanau 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.