COUNTY FATALITY DATA

Lincoln County, Nebraska

Road fatality data for Lincoln County (NE). Data period: 2016-2023.

53
Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
7
Latest Year Deaths
21.0
Per 100k Residents
Decreasing
Trend

The verdict

According to NHTSA FARS, Lincoln County ranks #775 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #8 of 25 rated counties in NE. Lincoln County's fatality rate of 21.0 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.

#775 of 2,328
national by fatality rate
#8 of 25
in NE by rate
33%
of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
Decreasing
fatality trend

What the Data Shows

Lincoln County, Nebraska recorded 53 total road fatalities across 43 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 7 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 5.9 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 21.0 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.

Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Lincoln County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Nebraska 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County's 53-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.

Total Fatalities

53

Latest Year

7

Avg Annual

5.9

Rate per 100K

21.0

Trend

↓ Decreasing

How does Lincoln County compare?

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

Lincoln County
21.0 per 100k
Nebraska county average
17.7 per 100k

Lincoln County is 19% 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 Nebraska, Lincoln County ranks 8 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 17.7 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Lincoln County's rate and the state average is 3.3 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Buffalo County, at 15.8 per 100,000 (a difference of 5.2). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Box Butte County (65.5), Colfax County (37.9), Custer County (37.8), Cass County (32.8), Saunders County (29.8), Washington County (28.4), Dakota County (28.2), Buffalo County (15.8), Hall County (14.5), York County (13.9), Dawson County (12.5), Otoe County (12.2), Madison County (11.2), Holt County (9.9).

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

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

21 33rd percentile a lower per-capita rate than 33% of 2,328 rated counties

Lincoln County 0 60 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, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NHTSA FARS over U.S. Census Bureau population estimates · 2026-08-09

Lincoln County's rate vs. the Nebraska state average

030Nebraska avg18/100k21/100k
Lincoln County's rate vs. the Nebraska state average

Frequently Asked Questions

How many traffic fatalities occurred in Lincoln County, Nebraska?

Lincoln County recorded 53 total traffic fatalities across 43 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 7 fatalities. The county averages approximately 5.9 fatalities per year.

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

Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Lincoln County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Nebraska may provide additional context.

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

The trend in Lincoln County is decreasing. This suggests road safety improvements are having a positive effect in the county.

What is the fatality rate per capita in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County has a fatality rate of 21.0 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 Lincoln County rank for road fatality rate?

According to NHTSA FARS, Lincoln County ranks #775 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #8 of 25 rated counties in NE, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.

How does Lincoln County compare to the rest of Nebraska?

Lincoln County's per-capita rate of 21.0 per 100,000 residents is above the Nebraska county average of 17.7. Visit the Nebraska state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.

Where does the road fatality data for Lincoln 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

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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.