Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Sioux City, IA recorded 30 traffic deaths in 27 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 7.0 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 44/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 44% of ranked US cities (#9 of 24 in Iowa, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Sioux City, Iowa?
Sioux City has a Road Danger Score of 44/100 (Near-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 27 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 30 people — 7.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Sioux City ranks #9 out of 24 ranked cities in Iowa and #1,208 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 44% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Sioux City fell 7% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Sioux City’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 27 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Sioux City | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 9 | 33.3% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 9 | 33.3% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 4 | 14.8% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 15 | 55.6% | 49.8% |
Sioux City Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Sioux City, Iowa from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Sioux City, Iowa?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Sioux City recorded 27 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 30 traffic deaths — an average of 6.0 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Sioux City?
Sioux City has a Road Danger Score of 44/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 44% of ranked US cities. The city averages 7.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Sioux City?
Of Sioux City's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 33% involved a drinking driver, 33% involved speeding, 15% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 56% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Sioux City each year?
An average of 6.0 people per year died in car accidents in Sioux City across 2020–2024 (30 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Sioux City more dangerous than in other Iowa cities?
Sioux City ranks #9 of 24 ranked Iowa cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,208 of 2,153 nationally.