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1980

Ohio · year

Ohio in 1980

Deaths 2,033Fatal crashes 1,805Per 100,000 —US deaths 51,091

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 1980.

In 1980, 2,033 people died in 1,805 fatal crashes in Ohio.

The death toll fell 11% from 2,281 in 1979 to 2,033 in 1980.

Ohio accounted for 4% of the 51,091 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

37.2% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

33% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1979 and the nation

MeasureOhio 1980Ohio 1979United States 1980
Deaths2,0332,28151,091
Fatal crashes1,8052,01045,284
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver37%36%40%

Counties in 1980

Every county with a fatal crash in 1980, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 88 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Cuyahoga County17819415.6949
Franklin County1141279.41,057
Hamilton County10110812.9626
Montgomery County9010118.8606
Summit County677113.2405
Stark County626918.4301
Lucas County596816.0420
Lorain County525918.3270
Butler County545614.0295
Mahoning County475022.1210
Trumbull County374020.0182
Lake County333916.8109
Clermont County303315.4186
Richland County263225.6128
Ashtabula County283031.0171
Greene County272916.8133
Columbiana County242828.088
Portage County252615.9149
Hancock County242634.7105
Warren County212610.2167
Muskingum County242427.7120
Wayne County202420.6156
Defiance County162462.152
Delaware County19239.7159
Miami County192320.5125
Clark County192216.3183
Geauga County202122.0122
Ross County182127.6116
Seneca County142036.567
Licking County191910.3221
Tuscarawas County191920.6110
Wood County191914.3174
Huron County161932.776
Madison County161941.776
Erie County171824.4100
Fairfield County161810.7148
Scioto County161825.1104
Washington County161729.171
Marion County131726.294
Allen County121716.9122
Jefferson County141625.046
Fulton County131638.192
Fayette County111655.663
Medina County15158.1122
Highland County141534.368
Crawford County141433.642
Sandusky County121423.8100
Ottawa County111435.351
Guernsey County101334.067
Logan County81328.277
Union County111216.764
Champaign County91230.866
Hardin County91239.551
Williams County101130.167
Coshocton County81129.766
Belmont County101015.568
Putnam County101029.228
Darke County91019.487
Morrow County81027.882
Lawrence County71017.950
Carroll County9934.042
Harrison County9964.146
Perry County9925.258
Ashland County7815.375
Henry County7829.170
Pickaway County7812.9105
Meigs County6837.251
Clinton County4819.078
Preble County7717.295
Vinton County4755.835
Auglaize County6613.153
Brown County6613.559
Paulding County6632.029
Athens County569.578
Hocking County5621.949
Mercer County5614.168
Pike County5622.254
Van Wert County5517.343
Gallia County4517.351
Shelby County4510.478
Holmes County449.053
Morgan County4429.639
Adams County3414.551
Noble County3428.035
Jackson County339.260
Knox County334.771
Wyandot County3314.037
Monroe County1–21–2—26

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

12am6.1%
1am7%
2am8.6%
3am3.6%
4am2%
5am1.2%
6am2.4%
7am2.3%
8am2%
9am1.8%
10am1.7%
11am3%
12pm3.4%
1pm3.7%
2pm4%
3pm4.4%
4pm5.1%
5pm4.4%
6pm4.4%
7pm4.7%
8pm5.4%
9pm6.2%
10pm5.8%
11pm6.9%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday10%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday12%
Thursday14%
Friday16%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Ohio in 1980?

2,033 people in 1,805 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1980 file.

Which county in Ohio had the most crash deaths in 1980?

Cuyahoga County with 194 deaths in 178 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1980 compare with 1979 in Ohio?

2,033 deaths against 2,281 in 1979 (+-11%). Nationally the 1980 total was 51,091.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1980 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.