COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Marion County, South Carolina
Road fatality data for Marion County (SC). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 76
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 13
- Latest Year Deaths
- 29.5
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
Marion County's fatality rate of 29.5 per 100,000 residents puts it among the most dangerous one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- 8%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- 24.7/100k
- South Carolina county average
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Marion County, South Carolina recorded 76 total road fatalities across 68 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 13 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 8.4 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 29.5 per 100,000 residents, which puts it among the most dangerous one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (68 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County's 76-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
76
Latest Year
13
Avg Annual
8.4
Rate per 100K
29.5
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Marion County compare?
Average annual road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Marion County is 19% deadlier than the comparison
Average annual 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.
Among the 15 rated counties in South Carolina, Marion County ranks 14 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 24.7 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate puts it among the most dangerous one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Marion County's rate and the state average is 4.8 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Darlington County, at 29.5 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.0). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Fairfield County (52.4), Colleton County (50.7), Jasper County (48.3), Clarendon County (42.9), Orangeburg County (41.3), Calhoun County (40.2), Chester County (37.9), Marlboro County (36.6), Dillon County (36.5), Lee County (36.3), Williamsburg County (36.1), Laurens County (32.1), Hampton County (32.0), Darlington County (29.5).
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
30 8th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 8% of 2,392 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 · 2026-06-03
Marion County's rate vs. the South Carolina state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Marion County, South Carolina?
Marion County recorded 76 total traffic fatalities across 68 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 13 fatalities. The county averages approximately 8.4 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Marion County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (68 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Marion County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for South Carolina may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Marion County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Marion 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 Marion County?
Marion County has a fatality rate of 29.5 per 100,000 residents, which puts it among the most dangerous one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
How does Marion County compare to the rest of South Carolina?
Marion County's per-capita rate of 29.5 per 100,000 residents is above the South Carolina county average of 24.7. Visit the South Carolina 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) 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.