COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Merrimack County, New Hampshire
Road fatality data for Merrimack County (NH). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 137
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 20
- Latest Year Deaths
- 12.7
- Per 100k Residents
- Increasing
- Trend
The verdict
According to NHTSA FARS, Merrimack County ranks #1,487 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #5 of 10 rated counties in NH. Merrimack County's fatality rate of 12.7 per 100,000 residents places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure.
- #1,487 of 2,328
- national by fatality rate
- #5 of 10
- in NH by rate
- 64%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- Increasing
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Merrimack County, New Hampshire recorded 137 total road fatalities across 128 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 20 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 15.2 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 12.7 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.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (128 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Merrimack County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the New Hampshire 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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack County's 137-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
137
Latest Year
20
Avg Annual
15.2
Rate per 100K
12.7
Trend
↑ Increasing
How does Merrimack County compare?
2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Merrimack County is About the same as 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 10 rated counties in New Hampshire, Merrimack County ranks 5 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 10.8 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate places it close to the national middle by that per-capita measure. The gap between Merrimack County's rate and the state average is 1.8 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Belknap County, at 13.8 per 100,000 (a difference of 1.1). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Carroll County (17.2), Cheshire County (16.7), Grafton County (15.0), Belknap County (13.8), Coos County (9.6), Rockingham County (9.0), Strafford County (6.8), Hillsborough County (5.4), Sullivan County (2.3).
Merrimack County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
13 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 64% 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
Merrimack County's rate vs. the New Hampshire state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Merrimack County, New Hampshire?
Merrimack County recorded 137 total traffic fatalities across 128 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 20 fatalities. The county averages approximately 15.2 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Merrimack County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (128 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for Merrimack County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for New Hampshire may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Merrimack County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Merrimack 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 Merrimack County?
Merrimack County has a fatality rate of 12.7 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 Merrimack County rank for road fatality rate?
According to NHTSA FARS, Merrimack County ranks #1,487 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #5 of 10 rated counties in NH, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.
How does Merrimack County compare to the rest of New Hampshire?
Merrimack County's per-capita rate of 12.7 per 100,000 residents is above the New Hampshire county average of 10.8. Visit the New Hampshire state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Merrimack 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.