Fatal Roads

States › Michigan › 2020

2020

Michigan · year

Michigan in 2020

Deaths 1,086Fatal crashes 1,013Per 100,000 10.8US deaths 39,007

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 2020.

In 2020, 1,086 people died in 1,013 fatal crashes in Michigan, 10.8 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.

The death toll rose 10% from 986 in 2019 to 1,086 in 2020.

Michigan accounted for 2.8% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

28.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (27%).

36% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

← 201920202021 →All years

Compared with 2019 and the nation

MeasureMichigan 2020Michigan 2019United States 2020
Deaths1,08698639,007
Fatal crashes1,01390335,935
Deaths per 100,000 residents10.89.911.8
Crashes with a drinking driver29%27%27%

Counties in 2020

Every county with a fatal crash in 2020, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 77 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Wayne County23525314.31,948
Oakland County55624.8667
Kent County55558.2607
Genesee County535513.7497
Macomb County41424.7558
Allegan County252621.2167
Washtenaw County23267.0282
Monroe County202516.0202
St. Clair County202415.0208
Muskegon County232313.0203
Livingston County212211.2170
Kalamazoo County20217.9310
Calhoun County202014.9220
St. Joseph County161727.8116
Ingham County15175.9228
Newaygo County131631.197
Jackson County14159.4206
Ottawa County14154.9210
Van Buren County131519.7146
Saginaw County14147.5204
Eaton County131412.8147
Lenawee County131414.3148
Osceola County131355.447
Ionia County111319.684
Berrien County12127.9191
Tuscola County121222.779
Bay County101110.7119
Montcalm County91115.9130
Clinton County101012.586
Isabella County101015.4107
Cass County91019.4115
Midland County9910.788
Shiawassee County8913.290
Lapeer County777.9119
Chippewa County6719.338
Clare County6722.358
Manistee County6727.435
Arenac County6639.843
Gratiot County6614.561
Menominee County6626.031
Ogemaw County6628.648
Barry County569.485
Grand Traverse County555.2111
Hillsdale County5511.060
Huron County5516.242
Mason County5517.258
Mecosta County5511.948
Otsego County5519.243
Antrim County4520.433
Oceana County4518.536
Oscoda County4558.227
Dickinson County3519.234
Gladwin County4415.429
Marquette County445.950
Missaukee County4426.221
Roscommon County4416.758
Wexford County4411.662
Cheboygan County3415.431
Kalkaska County3421.536
Alpena County3310.422
Branch County336.554
Charlevoix County3311.529
Emmet County338.838
Iosco County3311.840
Iron County3325.620
Sanilac County337.460
Alger County1–21–2—17
Baraga County1–21–2—15
Crawford County1–21–2—17
Houghton County1–21–2—29
Lake County1–21–2—18
Presque Isle County1–21–2—18
Schoolcraft County1–21–2—14
Alcona County1–21–2—19
Delta County1–21–2—43
Leelanau County1–21–2—33
Mackinac County1–21–2—31

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

12am4.5%
1am3.4%
2am3.4%
3am3.7%
4am3.8%
5am1.2%
6am1.8%
7am3%
8am2.8%
9am2.1%
10am2.5%
11am3.4%
12pm3.8%
1pm4.2%
2pm6.2%
3pm4.3%
4pm5.5%
5pm5.1%
6pm7.4%
7pm5.5%
8pm5.5%
9pm6.6%
10pm5.6%
11pm4.8%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday14%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday13%
Thursday13%
Friday16%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial27%
Minor arterial24%
Major collector17%
Local16%
Interstate9%
Other freeways and expressways4%
Minor collector2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Michigan in 2020?

1,086 people in 1,013 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 10.8 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Michigan had the most crash deaths in 2020?

Wayne County with 253 deaths in 235 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2020 compare with 2019 in Michigan?

1,086 deaths against 986 in 2019 (+10%). Nationally the 2020 total was 39,007.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2020 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.