Fatal crashes in Polk County, Wisconsin
In 2024, 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Polk County, Wisconsin, down from 16 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 83 fatal crashes and 98 deaths, the 21st most of 72 counties in Wisconsin.
Deaths in Polk County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 8 |
| 2023 | 13 | 16 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2020 | 12 | 16 |
| 2019 | 9 | 11 |
| 2018 | 8 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 | 10 |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 |
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 8 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 20 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024; 2 US routes, 3 state highways. 64% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 36% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 8 | 15 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2 | State Highway 35 | 13 | 16 | 6 | |
| 3 | State Highway 46 | 7 | 8 | 0 | no page |
| 4 | US 63 | 6 | 8 | 3 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 65 | 5 | 5 | 3 | no page |
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
79 fatal crashes in Polk County, Wisconsin 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 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 6.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan2.4%
- Feb9.6%
- Mar2.4%
- Apr7.2%
- May13.3%
- Jun6.0%
- Jul9.6%
- Aug10.8%
- Sep13.3%
- Oct10.8%
- Nov8.4%
- Dec6.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Polk County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 54%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a rollover in 15%, a pedestrian in 2.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 45 | 54% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 19 | 23% |
| Rollover | 12 | 15% |
| Other | 4 | 4.8% |
| Pedestrian | 2 | 2.4% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Wisconsin
The largest difference from Wisconsin: from 2015 to 2024, 94% of fatal crashes in Polk County were on rural roads, against 63% across Wisconsin. Below the Wisconsin share: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Wisconsin. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 83 crashes.
| Polk | Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 94% | 63% | above the Wisconsin share |
| At or near an intersection | 30% | 28% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 32% | 27% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 33% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Speeding | 28% | 31% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 13% | 9.9% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 41% | 48% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Hit-and-run | 1.2% | 5.4% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 17% | about the same as the Wisconsin share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.0% | 9.5% | below the Wisconsin 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, Wisconsin
- How many people died in car accidents in Polk County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Polk County, Wisconsin, in 2024, down from 16 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Polk County?
- US 8 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Polk County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 20 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Polk County involved a drinking driver?
- 26 of 83 fatal crashes in Polk County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 31%, against 33% across Wisconsin.
Other counties in Wisconsin with a page
- Milwaukee County
- Dane County
- Waukesha County
- Rock County
- Racine County
- Kenosha County
- Brown County
- Walworth County
- Outagamie County
- Dodge County
- Marathon County
- Fond du Lac County
All fatal crashes in Wisconsin, 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 95). 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/wisconsin/polk-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”