COUNTY FATALITY DATA
McCracken County, Kentucky
Road fatality data for McCracken County (KY). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 96
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 7
- Latest Year Deaths
- 10.4
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, McCracken County ranks #1,729 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #79 of 98 rated counties in KY. McCracken County's fatality rate of 10.4 per 100,000 residents leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- #1,729 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #79 of 98
- in KY by rate
- 74%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
McCracken County, Kentucky recorded 96 total road fatalities across 82 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 10.7 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 10.4 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.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (82 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for McCracken County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Kentucky 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 McCracken 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 McCracken County's 96-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
96
Latest Year
7
Avg Annual
10.7
Rate per 100K
10.4
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does McCracken County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
McCracken 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 Kentucky, McCracken County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 21.4 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between McCracken County's rate and the state average is 11.0 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Pike County, at 37.5 per 100,000 (a difference of 27.1). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Breathitt County (54.0), Breckinridge County (52.1), Todd County (48.0), Caldwell County (47.8), Webster County (47.1), Floyd County (46.5), Carroll County (45.5), Butler County (40.4), Simpson County (39.6), Logan County (38.9), Powell County (38.5), Jackson County (38.2), Ohio County (38.1), Pike County (37.5).
McCracken County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
10 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 74% 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
McCracken County's rate vs. the Kentucky state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in McCracken County, Kentucky?
McCracken County recorded 96 total traffic fatalities across 82 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 7 fatalities. The county averages approximately 10.7 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in McCracken County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (82 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for McCracken County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Kentucky may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in McCracken County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in McCracken 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 McCracken County?
McCracken County has a fatality rate of 10.4 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 McCracken County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, McCracken County ranks #1,729 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #79 of 98 rated counties in KY, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does McCracken County compare to the rest of Kentucky?
McCracken County's per-capita rate of 10.4 per 100,000 residents is below the Kentucky county average of 21.4. Visit the Kentucky state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for McCracken 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.