Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Columbia, TN recorded 28 traffic deaths in 28 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 11.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 71/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 71% of ranked US cities (#30 of 48 in Tennessee, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Columbia, Tennessee?
Columbia has a Road Danger Score of 71/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 28 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 28 people — 11.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Columbia ranks #30 out of 48 ranked cities in Tennessee and #621 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 71% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Columbia fell 23% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Columbia’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 28 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Columbia | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 8 | 28.6% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 8 | 28.6% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 2 | 7.1% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 9 | 32.1% | 49.8% |
Columbia Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Columbia, Tennessee 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 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Columbia, Tennessee?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Columbia recorded 28 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 28 traffic deaths — an average of 5.6 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Columbia?
Columbia has a Road Danger Score of 71/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 71% of ranked US cities. The city averages 11.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Columbia?
Of Columbia's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 29% involved a drinking driver, 29% involved speeding, 7% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 32% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Columbia each year?
An average of 5.6 people per year died in car accidents in Columbia across 2020–2024 (28 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Columbia more dangerous than in other Tennessee cities?
Columbia ranks #30 of 48 ranked Tennessee cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #621 of 2,153 nationally.