COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Ritchie County, West Virginia
Road fatality data for Ritchie County (WV). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 15
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 4
- Latest Year Deaths
- 1.5%
- of West Virginia road deaths
- Stable
- Trend
What the Data Shows
Ritchie County, West Virginia recorded 15 total road fatalities across 13 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 4 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 1.7 fatalities per year. Per-capita rates are not reported for every county in the FARS dataset; raw counts should therefore be compared against population and road-mile denominators from the state page.
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Ritchie 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 Ritchie County is stable, meaning annual counts have stayed within a narrow band relative to the average. Residents, insurers, and policy analysts can use this baseline alongside population density, highway mile data, and rural-versus-urban road mix to judge whether Ritchie County's 15-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
15
Latest Year
4
Avg Annual
1.7
Trend
↔ Stable
Context
Ritchie County recorded 15 total traffic fatalities across 13 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 4 fatalities. The county averages approximately 1.7 fatalities per year.
Understanding Road Safety in Ritchie County
The road fatality data for Ritchie County reflects the combined effects of traffic volume, road infrastructure, driver behavior, and emergency response capacity in this area. With 15 total fatalities recorded during the reporting period, this county's safety record should be considered alongside its population density, highway miles, and rural-vs-urban character. Residents and policymakers can use this data to identify whether targeted interventions — such as improved signage, speed enforcement, or infrastructure upgrades — could reduce future fatalities.
How does Ritchie County compare?
Ritchie County recorded 4 road deaths in its most recent year, 1.5% of West Virginia's statewide total, more than 44% of U.S. counties by count. This county is below the 10,000-resident threshold for a population-stable per-capita rate, so figures are shown as counts.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Data period: 2016-2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Ritchie County, West Virginia?
Ritchie County recorded 15 total traffic fatalities across 13 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 4 fatalities. The county averages approximately 1.7 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Ritchie County?
Specific cause-of-crash breakdowns for Ritchie County are not available in the current NHTSA FARS dataset. Statewide data for West Virginia may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Ritchie County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Ritchie County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Ritchie County?
Per-capita fatality rate data is not available for Ritchie County. The raw fatality count of 15 can be compared using statewide context from the West Virginia state page.
How does Ritchie County compare to the rest of West Virginia?
Ritchie County recorded 15 total fatalities during the 2016-2023 period. With an average of 1.7 fatalities per year, this county's record should be evaluated alongside population density, highway miles, and whether roads are primarily rural or urban. Visit the West Virginia state page for a full county comparison.
Where does the road fatality data for Ritchie 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.
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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.