Fatal Roads

States › Nebraska › 2021

2021

Nebraska · year

Nebraska in 2021

Deaths 221Fatal crashes 192Per 100,000 11.2US deaths 43,230

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2021.

In 2021, 221 people died in 192 fatal crashes in Nebraska, 11.2 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.

The death toll fell 5% from 233 in 2020 to 221 in 2021.

Nebraska accounted for 0.5% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

31.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (32%).

30% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

← 202020212022 →All years

Compared with 2020 and the nation

MeasureNebraska 2021Nebraska 2020United States 2021
Deaths22123343,230
Fatal crashes19221739,785
Deaths per 100,000 residents11.211.913.0
Crashes with a drinking driver31%35%26%

Counties in 2021

Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 63 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Douglas County37396.5441
Lancaster County16175.1203
Sarpy County9104.9106
Dodge County6923.864
Hall County8812.771
Cass County5829.162
Scotts Bluff County6719.653
Saunders County4729.947
Sheridan County56121.819
Antelope County4694.422
Cherry County5590.023
Seward County4528.148
Buffalo County447.860
Lincoln County3412.061
York County3427.843
Box Butte County3328.025
Custer County3328.622
Dawson County3312.251
Pierce County3340.916
Red Willow County3328.816
Cheyenne County1–2331.222
Cuming County1–2333.518
Hitchcock County1–23122.010
Jefferson County1–2342.014
Webster County1–2390.29
Burt County1–21–2—20
Fillmore County1–21–2—12
Keith County1–21–2—33
Morrill County1–21–2—22
Nemaha County1–21–2—15
Platte County1–21–2—30
Richardson County1–21–2—14
Saline County1–21–2—27
Thurston County1–21–2—25
Washington County1–21–2—24
Adams County1–21–2—34
Cedar County1–21–2—26
Madison County1–21–2—52
Phelps County1–21–2—20
Banner County1–21–2—3
Blaine County1–21–2—3
Boone County1–21–2—6
Colfax County1–21–2—21
Dakota County1–21–2—24
Dawes County1–21–2—11
Deuel County1–21–2—11
Garden County1–21–2—4
Garfield County1–21–2—4
Greeley County1–21–2—3
Hamilton County1–21–2—19
Harlan County1–21–2—8
Howard County1–21–2—9
Johnson County1–21–2—12
Kearney County1–21–2—16
Knox County1–21–2—12
Loup County1–21–2—4
Merrick County1–21–2—27
Nance County1–21–2—6
Sherman County1–21–2—7
Sioux County1–21–2—7
Stanton County1–21–2—8
Thayer County1–21–2—11
Wayne County1–21–2—18

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am3.5%
1am2.3%
2am2.9%
3am1.7%
4am2.9%
5am2.9%
6am4.1%
7am4.7%
8am1.7%
9am6.4%
10am4.7%
11am4.7%
12pm4.7%
1pm2.9%
2pm4.7%
3pm6.4%
4pm5.2%
5pm5.8%
6pm2.9%
7pm7.6%
8pm2.3%
9pm3.5%
10pm6.4%
11pm5.2%

Weekday

Sunday12%
Monday13%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday14%
Thursday15%
Friday16%
Saturday20%

Road type

Other principal arterial32%
Minor arterial24%
Interstate13%
Local13%
Major collector10%
Other freeways and expressways5%
Minor collector3%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Nebraska in 2021?

221 people in 192 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 11.2 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Nebraska had the most crash deaths in 2021?

Douglas County with 39 deaths in 37 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2021 compare with 2020 in Nebraska?

221 deaths against 233 in 2020 (+-5%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.