Fatal crashes in Polk County, Oregon
In 2024, 10 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Polk County, Oregon, up from 9 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 105 fatal crashes and 113 deaths, the 15th most of 36 counties in Oregon.
11 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Oregon in 2024; 13.1 against 12.4 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 90,549, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Oregon.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021 | 10 | 11 |
| 2020 | 11 | 13 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 |
| 2018 | 15 | 16 |
| 2017 | 9 | 10 |
| 2016 | 13 | 13 |
| 2015 | 14 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Polk County
State Highway 22 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 20 deaths. The 7 roads listed held 59% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 7 state highways. 68% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 32% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 22 | 18 | 20 | 4 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 22W | 10 | 12 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 18 | 10 | 10 | 4 | |
| 4 | State Highway 99 | 8 | 10 | 0 | |
| 5 | State Highway 223 | 6 | 6 | 2 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 221 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 51 | 5 | 5 | 0 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Salem 9. 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 Polk County
104 fatal crashes in Polk County, Oregon from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.7%
- Feb4.8%
- Mar5.7%
- Apr4.8%
- May9.5%
- Jun9.5%
- Jul13.3%
- Aug4.8%
- Sep10.5%
- Oct10.5%
- Nov9.5%
- Dec10.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 31%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 7.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 45 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 33 | 31% |
| Pedestrian | 11 | 11% |
| Rollover | 8 | 7.6% |
| Other | 4 | 3.8% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 2.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.0% |
| 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 Polk County compare with Oregon
The largest difference from Oregon: from 2015 to 2024, 79% of fatal crashes in Polk County were on rural roads, against 55% across Oregon. Below the Oregon share: drinking drivers and speeding. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Oregon. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 105 crashes.
| Polk | Oregon | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 79% | 55% | above the Oregon share |
| At or near an intersection | 27% | 20% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 28% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A drinking driver | 22% | 31% | below the Oregon share |
| Speeding | 19% | 30% | below the Oregon share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.8% | 5.7% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 28% | 34% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.9% | 4.6% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 15% | about the same as the Oregon share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 9.7% | 16% | about the same as the Oregon 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 Polk County, Oregon
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 10 people died in 8 fatal crashes in Polk County, Oregon, in 2024, up from 9 in 2023. That is 11 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 12.6 across Oregon. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- State Highway 22 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 18, with 20 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 23 of 105 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, against 31% across Oregon.
Other counties in Oregon with a page
- Multnomah County
- Lane County
- Marion County
- Clackamas County
- Washington County
- Douglas County
- Jackson County
- Linn County
- Deschutes County
- Josephine County
- Klamath County
- Umatilla County
All fatal crashes in Oregon, with every county ranked.
Where the Polk County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Polk County (county code 53). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/oregon/polk-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”