COUNTY FATALITY DATA
San Juan County, New Mexico
Road fatality data for San Juan County (NM). Data period: 2016-2023.
- 234
- Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
- 20
- Latest Year Deaths
- 21.5
- Per 100k Residents
- Stable
- Trend
The verdict
San Juan County's fatality rate of 21.5 per 100,000 residents leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- 24%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- 23.9/100k
- New Mexico county average
- Stable
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
San Juan County, New Mexico recorded 234 total road fatalities across 205 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 26.0 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 21.5 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.
Despite a comparatively active crash history (205 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for San Juan County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the New Mexico 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 San Juan 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 San Juan County's 234-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
234
Latest Year
20
Avg Annual
26.0
Rate per 100K
21.5
Trend
↔ Stable
How does San Juan County compare?
Average annual road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
San Juan County is About the same as 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 New Mexico, San Juan County ranks 14 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 23.9 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it more dangerous than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between San Juan County's rate and the state average is 2.4 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Eddy County, at 21.6 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.1). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: Torrance County (57.6), Socorro County (52.6), Cibola County (51.5), McKinley County (38.4), Luna County (37.9), Colfax County (31.8), Sierra County (28.7), Rio Arriba County (26.1), Lincoln County (23.5), Lea County (23.2), Taos County (23.0), Roosevelt County (21.8), Eddy County (21.6), San Miguel County (19.1).
San Juan County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
22 24th percentile a lower per-capita rate than 24% 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
San Juan County's rate vs. the New Mexico state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in San Juan County, New Mexico?
San Juan County recorded 234 total traffic fatalities across 205 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 20 fatalities. The county averages approximately 26.0 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in San Juan County?
Despite a comparatively active crash history (205 recorded crashes), individual cause-code breakdowns are not published for San Juan County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for New Mexico may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in San Juan County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in San Juan County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in San Juan County?
San Juan County has a fatality rate of 21.5 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 San Juan County compare to the rest of New Mexico?
San Juan County's per-capita rate of 21.5 per 100,000 residents is below the New Mexico county average of 23.9. Visit the New Mexico state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for San Juan 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.