COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Roane County, West Virginia
Road fatality data for Roane County (WV). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 28
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 2
- Latest Year Deaths
- 22.6
- Per 100k Residents
- Stable
- Trend
The verdict
Roane County's fatality rate of 22.6 per 100,000 residents leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- 21%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- 15.7/100k
- West Virginia county average
- Stable
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Roane County, West Virginia recorded 28 total road fatalities across 26 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 2 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 3.1 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 22.6 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it more dangerous 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 Roane 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 Roane 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 Roane County's 28-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
28
Latest Year
2
Avg Annual
3.1
Rate per 100K
22.6
Trend
↔ Stable
How does Roane County compare?
Average annual road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Roane County is 44% 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 West Virginia, Roane County ranks 8 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 15.7 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Roane County's rate and the state average is 6.9 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is McDowell County, at 23.5 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.9). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Lewis County (29.7), Grant County (28.4), Braxton County (27.1), Nicholas County (25.7), Hampshire County (24.5), Hardy County (23.9), McDowell County (23.5), Logan County (21.4), Wayne County (21.2), Jackson County (21.0), Boone County (19.4), Lincoln County (19.3), Barbour County (18.9), Monroe County (18.6).
Roane County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
23 21st percentile a lower per-capita rate than 21% 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
Roane County's rate vs. the West Virginia state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Roane County, West Virginia?
Roane County recorded 28 total traffic fatalities across 26 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 2 fatalities. The county averages approximately 3.1 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Roane County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Roane County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for West Virginia may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Roane County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Roane County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Roane County?
Roane County has a fatality rate of 22.6 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
How does Roane County compare to the rest of West Virginia?
Roane County's per-capita rate of 22.6 per 100,000 residents is above the West Virginia county average of 15.7. Visit the West Virginia state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Roane 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.