States › New Jersey › 2020
New Jersey in 2020
Deaths 586Fatal crashes 549Per 100,000 6.3US 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, 586 people died in 549 fatal crashes in New Jersey, 6.3 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.
The death toll rose 5% from 558 in 2019 to 586 in 2020.
New Jersey accounted for 1.5% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
23.7% 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 (35%).
38% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2019 and the nation
| Measure | New Jersey 2020 | New Jersey 2019 | United States 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 586 | 558 | 39,007 |
| Fatal crashes | 549 | 524 | 35,935 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 6.3 | 6.3 | 11.8 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 24% | 23% | 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. 21 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 61 | 67 | 7.5 | 532 |
| Essex County | 39 | 45 | 5.1 | 470 |
| Bergen County | 38 | 43 | 4.4 | 368 |
| Burlington County | 39 | 41 | 8.6 | 445 |
| Atlantic County | 38 | 40 | 14.3 | 385 |
| Camden County | 36 | 38 | 7.1 | 448 |
| Gloucester County | 33 | 35 | 11.2 | 362 |
| Monmouth County | 33 | 34 | 5.3 | 413 |
| Ocean County | 30 | 30 | 4.5 | 423 |
| Union County | 29 | 30 | 5.0 | 302 |
| Passaic County | 26 | 29 | 5.5 | 262 |
| Hudson County | 24 | 24 | 3.3 | 234 |
| Cumberland County | 22 | 24 | 15.4 | 250 |
| Mercer County | 20 | 21 | 5.4 | 266 |
| Morris County | 17 | 17 | 3.3 | 234 |
| Somerset County | 14 | 14 | 3.9 | 196 |
| Salem County | 11 | 14 | 21.3 | 145 |
| Hunterdon County | 12 | 12 | 9.1 | 75 |
| Warren County | 12 | 12 | 10.7 | 119 |
| Cape May County | 8 | 9 | 9.6 | 114 |
| Sussex County | 7 | 7 | 4.7 | 107 |
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
Road type
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in New Jersey in 2020?
586 people in 549 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 6.3 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in New Jersey had the most crash deaths in 2020?
Middlesex County with 67 deaths in 61 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2020 compare with 2019 in New Jersey?
586 deaths against 558 in 2019 (+5%). 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.