COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Marion County, West Virginia
Road fatality data for Marion County (WV). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 36
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 5
- Latest Year Deaths
- 9.0
- Per 100k Residents
- Decreasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Marion County ranks #1,869 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #32 of 40 rated counties in WV. Marion County's fatality rate of 9.0 per 100,000 residents leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #1,869 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #32 of 40
- in WV by rate
- 80%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Decreasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Marion County, West Virginia recorded 36 total road fatalities across 34 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 5 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 4.0 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 9.0 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it safer 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 Marion County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the West Virginia 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 Marion 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 Marion County's 36-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
36
Latest Year
5
Avg Annual
4.0
Rate per 100K
9.0
Trend
↓ Decreasing
How does Marion County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Marion County is 51% 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 West Virginia, Marion County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 18.4 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Marion County's rate and the state average is 9.4 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Wyoming County, at 19.7 per 100,000 (a difference of 10.7). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Hampshire County (50.7), Taylor County (36.6), Hardy County (35.1), Summers County (34.5), Boone County (34.0), Monroe County (32.3), Nicholas County (29.0), Grant County (27.5), Logan County (26.0), Mason County (24.2), Wayne County (23.9), Mineral County (22.3), Greenbrier County (21.8), Wyoming County (19.7).
Marion County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
9 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 80% 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
Marion County's rate vs. the West Virginia state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Marion County, West Virginia?
Marion County recorded 36 total traffic fatalities across 34 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 5 fatalities. The county averages approximately 4.0 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Marion County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Marion County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for West Virginia may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Marion County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Marion County is decreasing. This suggests road safety improvements are having a positive effect in the county.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Marion County?
Marion County has a fatality rate of 9.0 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Where does Marion County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Marion County ranks #1,869 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #32 of 40 rated counties in WV, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Marion County compare to the rest of West Virginia?
Marion County's per-capita rate of 9.0 per 100,000 residents is below the West Virginia county average of 18.4. Visit the West Virginia state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Marion 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.