Fatal Roads

States › Michigan › 2021

2021

Michigan · year

Michigan in 2021

Deaths 1,137Fatal crashes 1,073Per 100,000 11.3US deaths 43,230

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 2021.

In 2021, 1,137 people died in 1,073 fatal crashes in Michigan, 11.3 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.

The death toll rose 5% from 1,086 in 2020 to 1,137 in 2021.

Michigan accounted for 2.6% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

29.7% 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 (29%).

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

← 202020212022 →All years

Compared with 2020 and the nation

MeasureMichigan 2021Michigan 2020United States 2021
Deaths1,1371,08643,230
Fatal crashes1,0731,01339,785
Deaths per 100,000 residents11.310.813.0
Crashes with a drinking driver30%29%26%

Counties in 2021

Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 76 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Wayne County20221912.41,948
Oakland County64665.1667
Kent County61669.8607
Genesee County606215.4497
Macomb County59616.9558
Kalamazoo County383914.7310
Ingham County303211.0228
Washtenaw County28308.0282
Ottawa County27299.5210
Berrien County242516.4191
Calhoun County212216.4220
Jackson County212113.1206
Monroe County192113.5202
Lenawee County192020.5148
Muskegon County171910.7203
St. Clair County171911.9208
Saginaw County18189.6204
Cass County161733.0115
Van Buren County161722.3146
Lapeer County161617.9119
Grand Traverse County151616.6111
Allegan County141411.4167
Eaton County121412.8147
Bay County131312.7119
Montcalm County131318.8130
Ionia County121319.684
Livingston County12126.1170
Sanilac County111127.360
Hillsdale County91124.160
Midland County81011.988
St. Joseph County9914.7116
Tuscola County8917.179
Branch County8817.354
Isabella County8812.3107
Roscommon County7833.458
Houghton County7718.429
Ogemaw County7733.448
Wexford County7720.362
Dickinson County6726.934
Marquette County6710.350
Barry County669.485
Huron County6619.542
Newaygo County6611.697
Shiawassee County568.890
Mason County4620.658
Gratiot County5512.161
Mecosta County5511.948
Delta County4513.643
Iosco County4519.740
Otsego County4519.243
Arenac County4426.543
Charlevoix County4415.329
Clinton County445.086
Cheboygan County3311.631
Chippewa County338.338
Emmet County338.838
Manistee County3311.835
Presque Isle County3322.718
Alger County1–21–2—17
Antrim County1–21–2—33
Baraga County1–21–2—15
Clare County1–21–2—58
Gladwin County1–21–2—29
Iron County1–21–2—20
Kalkaska County1–21–2—36
Luce County1–21–2—10
Menominee County1–21–2—31
Oceana County1–21–2—36
Ontonagon County1–21–2—13
Osceola County1–21–2—47
Oscoda County1–21–2—27
Schoolcraft County1–21–2—14
Alpena County1–21–2—22
Leelanau County1–21–2—33
Mackinac County1–21–2—31
Missaukee County1–21–2—21

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

12am3.8%
1am4.3%
2am5%
3am2.5%
4am1.6%
5am2.4%
6am2.8%
7am2.7%
8am3.3%
9am2.7%
10am2.3%
11am3.4%
12pm3.3%
1pm3.9%
2pm5.3%
3pm5%
4pm4.5%
5pm6.8%
6pm7.8%
7pm6.2%
8pm5.6%
9pm5.6%
10pm4.5%
11pm4.7%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday13%
Tuesday14%
Wednesday11%
Thursday14%
Friday14%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial29%
Minor arterial26%
Major collector17%
Local14%
Interstate9%
Other freeways and expressways4%
Minor collector2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Michigan in 2021?

1,137 people in 1,073 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 11.3 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Michigan had the most crash deaths in 2021?

Wayne County with 219 deaths in 202 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2021 compare with 2020 in Michigan?

1,137 deaths against 1,086 in 2020 (+5%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.