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1976

Michigan · year

Michigan in 1976

Deaths 1,924Fatal crashes 1,707Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,523

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 1976.

In 1976, 1,924 people died in 1,707 fatal crashes in Michigan.

The death toll rose 8% from 1,779 in 1975 to 1,924 in 1976.

Michigan accounted for 4.2% of the 45,523 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

28.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1975 and the nation

MeasureMichigan 1976Michigan 1975United States 1976
Deaths1,9241,77945,523
Fatal crashes1,7071,58439,747
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver29%27%20%

Counties in 1976

Every county with a fatal crash in 1976, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 82 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Wayne County36640222.71,948
Oakland County14516112.4667
Genesee County9110526.1497
Macomb County9310111.4558
Kent County656910.3607
Saginaw County465127.2204
St. Clair County434930.6208
Washtenaw County424812.8282
Calhoun County334432.9220
Jackson County374326.8206
Monroe County374226.9202
Berrien County313724.2191
Ingham County323411.7228
Kalamazoo County273011.3310
Bay County233029.2119
Muskegon County272916.3203
Livingston County232713.7170
Tuscola County242547.479
Marquette County212536.850
Van Buren County192532.8146
Lenawee County182020.5148
Ottawa County18196.2210
Eaton County171816.4147
Lapeer County171820.2119
Barry County161828.185
Arenac County1418119.343
Shiawassee County171725.090
Montcalm County121724.5130
Allegan County151613.1167
Huron County131652.042
Cass County131529.1115
Grand Traverse County131515.5111
Ionia County131421.184
Wexford County121440.662
Midland County121315.588
St. Joseph County121321.3116
Isabella County111320.0107
Cheboygan County91246.231
Hillsdale County111124.160
Gratiot County91126.661
Oceana County91140.736
Otsego County91142.243
Roscommon County101041.858
Branch County91021.754
Clinton County91012.586
Ogemaw County81047.748
Mason County7930.958
Iosco County8831.540
Delta County7821.843
Charlevoix County6830.629
Kalkaska County5843.036
Manistee County7727.435
Ontonagon County77120.213
Gogebic County6749.211
Houghton County6718.429
Sanilac County6717.460
Emmet County5720.638
Alpena County6620.822
Luce County6694.810
Mackinac County5653.831
Benzie County4632.433
Dickinson County5519.234
Mecosta County5511.948
Montmorency County5550.96
Gladwin County4519.229
Menominee County4521.731
Alger County4446.017
Missaukee County4426.221
Crawford County3429.417
Antrim County3312.233
Chippewa County338.338
Newaygo County335.897
Oscoda County3334.927
Presque Isle County3322.718
Schoolcraft County3336.714
Leelanau County1–2313.133
Baraga County1–21–2—15
Clare County1–21–2—58
Keweenaw County1–21–2—3
Lake County1–21–2—18
Osceola County1–21–2—47
Iron County1–21–2—20

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

12am6.1%
1am6%
2am8.5%
3am4.1%
4am2.1%
5am1.2%
6am2.2%
7am2.2%
8am2%
9am1.8%
10am2.5%
11am2.2%
12pm2.7%
1pm3.5%
2pm3.8%
3pm4.5%
4pm5.1%
5pm4.6%
6pm4.6%
7pm5.3%
8pm6.8%
9pm5.7%
10pm4.9%
11pm7.4%

Weekday

Sunday18%
Monday12%
Tuesday9%
Wednesday11%
Thursday14%
Friday15%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Michigan in 1976?

1,924 people in 1,707 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1976 file.

Which county in Michigan had the most crash deaths in 1976?

Wayne County with 402 deaths in 366 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1976 compare with 1975 in Michigan?

1,924 deaths against 1,779 in 1975 (+8%). Nationally the 1976 total was 45,523.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1976 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.