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1977

Michigan · year

Michigan in 1977

Deaths 1,915Fatal crashes 1,713Per 100,000 —US deaths 47,878

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 1977.

In 1977, 1,915 people died in 1,713 fatal crashes in Michigan.

The death toll was about level between 1976 (1,924) and 1977 (1,915).

Michigan accounted for 4% of the 47,878 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

45.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1976 and the nation

MeasureMichigan 1977Michigan 1976United States 1977
Deaths1,9151,92447,878
Fatal crashes1,7131,70742,211
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver46%29%34%

Counties in 1977

Every county with a fatal crash in 1977, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 83 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Wayne County32434919.71,948
Oakland County13814911.5667
Genesee County9510526.1497
Macomb County82859.6558
Washtenaw County596818.2282
Saginaw County506333.6204
Kent County55619.1607
Monroe County404226.9202
Bay County344240.9119
St. Clair County364125.6208
Ingham County363813.1228
Kalamazoo County353513.2310
Allegan County273024.5167
Berrien County263019.6191
Ottawa County26289.1210
Jackson County242716.9206
Van Buren County202735.5146
Muskegon County232614.7203
Livingston County222412.2170
St. Joseph County212236.0116
Montcalm County202231.7130
Delta County132157.243
Calhoun County202014.9220
Lenawee County192020.5148
Clinton County182025.086
Eaton County162018.3147
Cass County161733.0115
Shiawassee County161725.090
Lapeer County151719.1119
Marquette County141725.050
Ionia County151624.284
Barry County131625.085
Gratiot County141536.361
Midland County141517.988
Isabella County121523.1107
Tuscola County141426.579
Branch County131430.354
Grand Traverse County131414.5111
Huron County131445.542
Menominee County121460.731
Emmet County111338.338
Clare County121238.258
Iosco County91247.340
Sanilac County91229.860
Mecosta County71228.648
Newaygo County101121.497
Oceana County91037.036
Wexford County51029.062
Cheboygan County8934.731
Presque Isle County7968.018
Alcona County6984.719
Ontonagon County78137.413
Otsego County7830.743
Charlevoix County6830.629
Crawford County6858.817
Alpena County7724.222
Arenac County7746.443
Dickinson County6726.934
Hillsdale County6715.460
Schoolcraft County6785.614
Benzie County4737.833
Gogebic County6642.211
Leelanau County6626.233
Mason County6620.658
Antrim County5624.533
Gladwin County5623.129
Osceola County5625.547
Alger County4669.017
Baraga County5561.215
Iron County5542.720
Roscommon County5520.958
Chippewa County4513.838
Mackinac County4435.931
Montmorency County4440.76
Houghton County337.929
Lake County3323.118
Luce County3347.410
Ogemaw County3314.348
Oscoda County1–2334.927
Keweenaw County1–21–2—3
Manistee County1–21–2—35
Missaukee County1–21–2—21
Kalkaska County1–21–2—36

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

12am5.5%
1am5.7%
2am8.5%
3am3.2%
4am1.9%
5am1.8%
6am1.9%
7am2%
8am1.8%
9am2%
10am2.8%
11am3.4%
12pm2.5%
1pm3.6%
2pm4.5%
3pm4.9%
4pm5%
5pm5.1%
6pm5.5%
7pm4.9%
8pm5.2%
9pm5.7%
10pm6.9%
11pm5.7%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday11%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday12%
Thursday13%
Friday17%
Saturday19%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Michigan in 1977?

1,915 people in 1,713 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1977 file.

Which county in Michigan had the most crash deaths in 1977?

Wayne County with 349 deaths in 324 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1977 compare with 1976 in Michigan?

1,915 deaths against 1,924 in 1976 (0%). Nationally the 1977 total was 47,878.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1977 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.