COUNTY FATALITY DATA

Simpson County: higher-rate fatality band

Simpson County (KY) is in the higher per-capita third: 39.6/100k (#187 of 2,328). Data period: 2016-2023.

35
Total Fatalities (2016-2023)
8
Latest Year Deaths
Near average count
39.6
Per 100k Residents
Well above average
Increasing
Trend

Higher per-capita fatality band

Simpson County ranks #187 of 2,328 by deaths per 100,000 residents (39.6/100k) - top-third rate among rated U.S. counties.

Simpson County in the higher-rate third

According to NHTSA FARS, Simpson County sits in the higher-rate third at 39.6 per 100k (#187 of 2,328), #9 of 98 in KY.

#187 of 2,328
higher-rate third
#1,836 of 3,137
by total FARS fatalities
#9 of 98
in KY by rate
Increasing
fatality trend

NHTSA county milepost

Milepost SIMPSON-213 · Simpson 39.6/100k · #187 of 2,328

Simpson County · 39.6/100k · increasing

  • MILE 39.6/100k
  • POST #187 of 2,328
  • BAND 35 book
  • VOL Increasing
  • AVG 32 crash
  • YOY +84.9% vs KY

Stamps derive from this county's NHTSA FARS row (per-100k or book, corpus rank, trend, nationwide peer NAME, vs-state gap), not a trip-risk forecast. PlainRoadSafety is informational only. See our disclaimer. Verify with NHTSA FARS → · Read with methodology → · Understanding road fatality data → · Kentucky state profile →

How does Simpson County compare?

2023 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.

Simpson County
39.6 per 100k
Kentucky county average
21.4 per 100k

Simpson County is 85% deadlier 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, Simpson County ranks 9 for per-capita risk, above the state's own per-capita average of 21.4 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate puts it among the most dangerous one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Simpson County's rate and the state average is 18.2 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Logan County, at 38.9 per 100,000 (a difference of 0.7). 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), Logan County (38.9), Powell County (38.5), Jackson County (38.2), Ohio County (38.1), Pike County (37.5), Clay County (35.6).

Simpson County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county

Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population

40 Higher than most a lower per-capita rate than 8% of 2,328 rated counties

rated U.S. counties, bucketed by value

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 and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NHTSA FARS over U.S. Census Bureau population estimates · 2026-09-03

055Kentucky avg21/100k39.6/100k
Simpson County's rate vs. the Kentucky state average

More road safety data related to Simpson County

Contextual links from this profile to rankings, tools, research, and peer geographies on PlainRoadSafety.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many traffic fatalities occurred in Simpson County, Kentucky?

Simpson County recorded 35 total traffic fatalities across 32 reported crashes over the data period (2016-2023). The most recent year saw 8 fatalities. The county averages approximately 3.9 fatalities per year.

What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Simpson County?

Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Simpson County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Kentucky may provide additional context.

Is the trend of road fatalities in Simpson County increasing or decreasing?

The trend in Simpson 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 Simpson County?

Simpson County has a fatality rate of 39.6 per 100,000 residents, which puts it among the most dangerous one in ten U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.

Where does Simpson County rank for road fatality rate?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Simpson County ranks #187 of 2,328 U.S. counties by road-fatality rate per 100,000 residents (highest first) and #9 of 98 rated counties in KY, the same sort used on the deadliest-states and county rate listings. See /methodology#corpus-placement.

How does Simpson County compare to the rest of Kentucky?

Simpson County's per-capita rate of 39.6 per 100,000 residents is above 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 Simpson 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.