Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Hickory, NC recorded 26 traffic deaths in 23 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 11.6 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 73/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 73% of ranked US cities (#21 of 69 in North Carolina, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Hickory, North Carolina?
Hickory has a Road Danger Score of 73/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 23 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 26 people — 11.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Hickory ranks #21 out of 69 ranked cities in North Carolina and #578 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 73% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Hickory's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 65% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Hickory rose 10% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Hickory’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 23 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Hickory | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 9 | 39.1% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 6 | 26.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 6 | 26.1% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 15 | 65.2% | 49.8% |
Hickory Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Hickory, North Carolina 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 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Hickory, North Carolina?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Hickory recorded 23 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 26 traffic deaths — an average of 5.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Hickory?
Hickory has a Road Danger Score of 73/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 73% of ranked US cities. The city averages 11.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Hickory?
Of Hickory's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 39% involved a drinking driver, 26% involved speeding, 26% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 65% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Hickory each year?
An average of 5.2 people per year died in car accidents in Hickory across 2020–2024 (26 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Hickory more dangerous than in other North Carolina cities?
Hickory ranks #21 of 69 ranked North Carolina cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #578 of 2,153 nationally.