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1977

Oregon · year

Oregon in 1977

Deaths 657Fatal crashes 575Per 100,000 —US deaths 47,878

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 1977.

In 1977, 657 people died in 575 fatal crashes in Oregon.

The death toll was about level between 1976 (630) and 1977 (657).

Oregon accounted for 1.4% of the 47,878 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

44.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1976 and the nation

MeasureOregon 1977Oregon 1976United States 1977
Deaths65763047,878
Fatal crashes57555842,211
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver45%43%34%

Counties in 1977

Every county with a fatal crash in 1977, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 35 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Multnomah County10211514.4689
Lane County607018.3457
Clackamas County464610.8358
Marion County394312.2428
Klamath County294259.6193
Washington County37416.7287
Douglas County323833.9297
Linn County303324.9242
Jackson County19219.5276
Coos County182132.6118
Clatsop County161843.9110
Deschutes County12157.1209
Wasco County121556.686
Josephine County111415.9194
Malheur County111237.182
Lincoln County91121.5113
Jefferson County91039.275
Yamhill County9109.0131
Umatilla County8911.2125
Columbia County7916.667
Polk County799.9113
Curry County7835.137
Benton County777.187
Baker County5529.958
Tillamook County5518.386
Grant County4570.522
Morrow County4540.530
Crook County4414.634
Gilliam County44202.915
Harney County3340.549
Lake County3336.635
Union County1–21–2—37
Wallowa County1–21–2—14
Hood River County1–21–2—24
Wheeler County1–21–2—15

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

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

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday12%
Tuesday9%
Wednesday12%
Thursday14%
Friday18%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Oregon in 1977?

657 people in 575 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1977 file.

Which county in Oregon had the most crash deaths in 1977?

Multnomah County with 115 deaths in 102 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1977 compare with 1976 in Oregon?

657 deaths against 630 in 1976 (+4%). Nationally the 1977 total was 47,878.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1977 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.