Coroners in Anderson, Greenville, and Spartanburg counties reported troubling preventable death trends in 2025, including rises in some suicides and persistent traffic fatalities despite declines in overdoses. These Upstate South Carolina statistics highlight ongoing community safety challenges amid population growth.​
Drug Overdose Trends
Drug overdose deaths dropped significantly across the three counties in 2025, credited partly to increased Narcan access. Spartanburg saw cases fall from 115 to 78, Anderson from over 100 to the 40s, and Greenville from 107 to 45, though fentanyl remained prominent with 37 cases in Spartanburg and 45 in Greenville.​
Suicide Statistics
Suicide numbers varied: Spartanburg decreased slightly from 63 to 58, while Anderson rose from 35 to 58 and Greenville reached 89. Anderson officials noted about 70% of cases involved underlying mental health issues, underscoring needs for better care access.​
Traffic Fatalities
Greenville halved its traffic deaths from 103 to 66, and Anderson declined from 47 to 42, but Spartanburg led South Carolina with 73 fatalities, up from 65. State data through late December confirms Spartanburg’s 73 and Greenville’s 42 for 2025.​
Broader Context
Coroners’ caseloads surged with regional growth, from 600 to over 6,000 annually in Greenville. Officials hope technology and education reduce these preventable losses in 2026, aligning with your interest in Upstate public safety and health services.
