States › New Jersey › 1987
New Jersey in 1987
Deaths 1,023Fatal crashes 929Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,390
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 1987.
In 1987, 1,023 people died in 929 fatal crashes in New Jersey.
The death toll was about level between 1986 (1,039) and 1987 (1,023).
New Jersey accounted for 2.2% of the 46,390 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
32.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
31% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1986 and the nation
| Measure | New Jersey 1987 | New Jersey 1986 | United States 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 1,023 | 1,039 | 46,390 |
| Fatal crashes | 929 | 946 | 41,438 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 33% | 33% | 42% |
Counties in 1987
Every county with a fatal crash in 1987, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 21 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 80 | 90 | 10.1 | 532 |
| Bergen County | 85 | 88 | 9.0 | 368 |
| Essex County | 73 | 83 | 9.4 | 470 |
| Atlantic County | 69 | 75 | 26.9 | 385 |
| Camden County | 60 | 73 | 13.7 | 448 |
| Monmouth County | 58 | 66 | 10.2 | 413 |
| Burlington County | 54 | 61 | 12.8 | 445 |
| Morris County | 54 | 55 | 10.5 | 234 |
| Ocean County | 49 | 53 | 8.0 | 423 |
| Union County | 48 | 50 | 8.4 | 302 |
| Passaic County | 39 | 41 | 7.8 | 262 |
| Gloucester County | 35 | 40 | 12.8 | 362 |
| Cumberland County | 32 | 37 | 23.8 | 250 |
| Hudson County | 33 | 35 | 4.8 | 234 |
| Mercer County | 32 | 35 | 8.9 | 266 |
| Cape May County | 24 | 26 | 27.7 | 114 |
| Sussex County | 24 | 25 | 17.0 | 107 |
| Salem County | 23 | 25 | 38.0 | 145 |
| Warren County | 21 | 25 | 22.3 | 119 |
| Somerset County | 23 | 23 | 6.4 | 196 |
| Hunterdon County | 13 | 17 | 12.9 | 75 |
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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in New Jersey in 1987?
1,023 people in 929 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1987 file.
Which county in New Jersey had the most crash deaths in 1987?
Middlesex County with 90 deaths in 80 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1987 compare with 1986 in New Jersey?
1,023 deaths against 1,039 in 1986 (+-2%). Nationally the 1987 total was 46,390.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1987 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.