COUNTY FATALITY DATA
Washington County, Nebraska
Road fatality data for Washington County (NE). Data period: 2017-2023.
- 20
- Total Fatalities (2017-2023)
- 6
- Latest Year Deaths
- 10.4
- Per 100k Residents
- Stable
- Trend
The verdict
Washington County's fatality rate of 10.4 per 100,000 residents leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure.
- 74%
- of rated U.S. counties are deadlier per capita
- 13.9/100k
- Nebraska county average
- Stable
- fatality trend
What the Data Shows
Washington County, Nebraska recorded 20 total road fatalities across 19 reported crashes during the 2017-2023 reporting window, according to NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The most recent year covered by the data logged 6 deaths on county roads, and the annual average works out to approximately 2.2 fatalities per year. Adjusted for population, the fatality rate is 10.4 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it safer 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 Washington County in the current FARS release, so readers looking for contributing-factor data should use the Nebraska 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 Washington 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 Washington County's 20-death total is proportionate to its exposure. All numbers are for research and informational use only.
Total Fatalities
20
Latest Year
6
Avg Annual
2.2
Rate per 100K
10.4
Trend
↔ Stable
How does Washington County compare?
Average annual road deaths per 100,000 residents. Choose any comparison from the menu.
Washington County is 25% safer 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 Nebraska, Washington County ranks 15 for per-capita risk, below the state's own per-capita average of 13.9 per 100,000 -- nationally, this rate leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure. The gap between Washington County's rate and the state average is 3.5 per 100,000. Its closest per-capita peer statewide is Scotts Bluff County, at 13.2 per 100,000 (a difference of 2.8). Its peer counties, highest to lowest per 100,000 residents: York County (26.5), Seward County (26.0), Box Butte County (21.5), Cass County (21.1), Colfax County (19.9), Custer County (18.9), Dawson County (18.3), Lincoln County (17.7), Red Willow County (17.2), Saunders County (17.0), Dodge County (15.1), Saline County (14.4), Scotts Bluff County (13.2), Madison County (13.2).
Washington County's rate vs. every rated U.S. county
Deaths per 100,000 residents -- counties with 10,000+ people, NHTSA FARS over Census population
10 Among the safer counties a lower per-capita rate than 74% 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
Washington County's rate vs. the Nebraska state average
Frequently Asked Questions
How many traffic fatalities occurred in Washington County, Nebraska?
Washington County recorded 20 total traffic fatalities across 19 reported crashes over the data period (2017-2023). The most recent year saw 6 fatalities. The county averages approximately 2.2 fatalities per year.
What is the leading cause of road fatalities in Washington County?
Cause-code breakdowns are not individually published for Washington County in the current FARS release. Statewide data for Nebraska may provide additional context.
Is the trend of road fatalities in Washington County increasing or decreasing?
The trend in Washington County is stable. Fatality counts have remained relatively consistent over the data period.
What is the fatality rate per capita in Washington County?
Washington County has a fatality rate of 10.4 per 100,000 residents, which leaves it safer than most U.S. counties by that per-capita measure among the 3,137 U.S. counties in this dataset.
How does Washington County compare to the rest of Nebraska?
Washington County's per-capita rate of 10.4 per 100,000 residents is below the Nebraska county average of 13.9. Visit the Nebraska state page for the full county-by-county breakdown.
Where does the road fatality data for Washington 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 2017-2023 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.