Fatal crashes in Rowan County, North Carolina
In 2024, 32 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Rowan County, 28.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 224 fatal crashes and 233 deaths, the 17th most of any county in North Carolina.
20.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina in 2024; 16.1 against 14.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 153,384, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in North Carolina.
Deaths in Rowan County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 32 |
| 2023 | 23 | 25 |
| 2022 | 21 | 22 |
| 2021 | 28 | 31 |
| 2020 | 27 | 28 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15 |
| 2018 | 22 | 23 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 |
| 2016 | 19 | 20 |
| 2015 | 23 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Rowan County
I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rowan County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 23 deaths. The 8 roads listed held 39% of all fatal crashes in Rowan County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 4 US routes, 3 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-85 | 23 | 23 | 6 | |
| 2 | US 29 | 14 | 14 | 6 | |
| 3 | US 601 | 11 | 14 | 1 | |
| 4 | State Highway 152 | 11 | 12 | 6 | no page |
| 5 | US 70 | 8 | 8 | 3 | |
| 6 | State Highway 801 | 7 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | US 52 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| 8 | State Highway 150 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Salisbury 44, Kannapolis 5. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Rowan County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 pm to 3 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.5%
- Feb8.0%
- Mar9.4%
- Apr10.7%
- May6.2%
- Jun10.7%
- Jul6.2%
- Aug12.5%
- Sep5.8%
- Oct8.5%
- Nov9.4%
- Dec8.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Rowan County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 45%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 30%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 5.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 100 | 45% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 66 | 30% |
| Pedestrian | 32 | 14% |
| Rollover | 12 | 5.4% |
| Other | 8 | 3.6% |
| Cyclist | 5 | 2.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 0.4% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Rowan County compare with North Carolina
A drinking driver was recorded in 18% of fatal crashes in Rowan County from 2015 to 2024, below the North Carolina share of 25%; speeding in 29%, below the North Carolina share of 32%; a hit-and-run in 2.2%, below the North Carolina share of 5.1%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.5%, below the North Carolina share of 6.3%; 42% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the North Carolina share of 47%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of North Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Rowan | North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 56% | 57% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 19% | 19% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 35% | 34% | above the North Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 18% | 25% | below the North Carolina share |
| Speeding | 29% | 32% | below the North Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.5% | 6.3% | below the North Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 42% | 47% | below the North Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.2% | 5.1% | below the North Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 14% | above the North Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 15% | about the same as the North Carolina share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Rowan County
- How many people died in car accidents in Rowan County in 2024?
- 32 people died in 32 fatal crashes in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 2024, 28.0% more than in 2023. That is 20.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 14.7 across North Carolina.
- What is the deadliest road in Rowan County?
- I-85 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Rowan County from 2015 to 2024: 23, with 23 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Rowan County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, 4 to 8 pm, with 15 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Rowan County involved a drinking driver?
- 40 of 224 fatal crashes in Rowan County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 18%, against 25% across North Carolina.
Other counties in North Carolina with a page
- Mecklenburg County
- Wake County
- Guilford County
- Robeson County
- Cumberland County
- Forsyth County
- Buncombe County
- Johnston County
- Durham County
- Davidson County
- Gaston County
- Harnett County
All fatal crashes in North Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Rowan County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Rowan County (county code 159). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. The full method.