Fatal crashes in Polk County, Iowa
In 2024, 47 people died in 40 fatal crashes in Polk County, Iowa, 20.5% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 309 fatal crashes and 337 deaths, the most of any county in Iowa.
9.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11 across Iowa in 2024; 6.9 against 11 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 516,185, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Iowa.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40 | 47 |
| 2023 | 37 | 39 |
| 2022 | 33 | 33 |
| 2021 | 41 | 45 |
| 2020 | 30 | 38 |
| 2019 | 34 | 34 |
| 2018 | 24 | 27 |
| 2017 | 24 | 26 |
| 2016 | 27 | 28 |
| 2015 | 19 | 20 |
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
US 69 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 24 deaths. The 10 roads listed held 44% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 3 are interstates, 3 US routes, 4 state highways. 47% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 53% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 69 | 22 | 24 | 7 | |
| 2 | I-35 | 20 | 22 | 8 | |
| 3 | I-80 | 19 | 22 | 7 | |
| 4 | US 6 | 18 | 19 | 6 | |
| 5 | I-235 | 12 | 13 | 5 | no page |
| 6 | US 65 | 12 | 13 | 3 | no page |
| 7 | State Highway 163 | 11 | 11 | 6 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 415 | 9 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 28 | 7 | 7 | 2 | no page |
| 10 | State Highway 141 | 5 | 5 | 1 | no page |
Des Moines had 48% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 148 of 309.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Des Moines 148, West Des Moines 17, Ankeny 11, Urbandale 11, Clive 6, Bondurant 6. 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
The heaviest slot is Saturday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Friday), with 20 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 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 | 5.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 16 fatal crashes | 2.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 6.5 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 5.8 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan4.2%
- Feb3.9%
- Mar5.8%
- Apr6.8%
- May9.7%
- Jun8.4%
- Jul10.7%
- Aug12.0%
- Sep10.7%
- Oct10.4%
- Nov9.7%
- Dec7.8%
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 46%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 16%, a rollover in 7.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 143 | 46% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 78 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 50 | 16% |
| Rollover | 22 | 7.1% |
| Cyclist | 6 | 1.9% |
| Other | 6 | 1.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 1.3% |
| 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 Iowa
The largest difference from Iowa: from 2015 to 2024, 17% of fatal crashes in Polk County were on rural roads, against 72% across Iowa. Also above the Iowa share: intersections, speeding, hit-and-runs, motorcycles and pedestrians. Below it: unlit roads at night. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Iowa. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 309 crashes.
| Polk | Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 17% | 72% | below the Iowa share |
| At or near an intersection | 39% | 27% | above the Iowa share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 13% | 28% | below the Iowa share |
| A drinking driver | 27% | 25% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Speeding | 32% | 20% | above the Iowa share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.8% | 7.0% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 40% | 45% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.2% | 2.0% | above the Iowa share |
| A motorcycle involved | 25% | 17% | above the Iowa share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 7.1% | above the Iowa 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, Iowa
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 47 people died in 40 fatal crashes in Polk County, Iowa, in 2024, 20.5% more than in 2023. That is 9.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11 across Iowa. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 69 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 22, with 24 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Polk County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, midnight to 4 am (the night from Friday), with 20 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 83 of 309 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 27%, against 25% across Iowa.
Other counties in Iowa with a page
- Scott County
- Linn County
- Pottawattamie County
- Black Hawk County
- Woodbury County
- Johnson County
- Dubuque County
- Lee County
- Webster County
- Dallas County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Warren County
All fatal crashes in Iowa, 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 153). 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/iowa/polk-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”