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1980

Oregon · year

Oregon in 1980

Deaths 646Fatal crashes 585Per 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, 646 people died in 585 fatal crashes in Oregon.

The death toll was about level between 1979 (676) and 1980 (646).

Oregon accounted for 1.3% of the 51,091 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

47% 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 1979 and the nation

MeasureOregon 1980Oregon 1979United States 1980
Deaths64667651,091
Fatal crashes58560145,284
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver47%53%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. 35 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Multnomah County909612.1689
Lane County586216.2457
Marion County555716.2428
Clackamas County475112.0358
Washington County38386.2287
Douglas County273228.5297
Jackson County242611.7276
Linn County242619.6242
Klamath County222636.9193
Umatilla County162024.8125
Deschutes County16178.0209
Yamhill County161715.3131
Josephine County131618.1194
Polk County141516.6113
Tillamook County91347.786
Jefferson County121247.075
Clatsop County101229.2110
Malheur County111134.082
Coos County101117.1118
Benton County101010.187
Union County5934.537
Hood River County7833.724
Lincoln County7815.6113
Columbia County5814.867
Baker County6741.858
Curry County6730.737
Grant County5570.522
Sherman County45249.818
Wallowa County3566.514
Harney County4454.049
Lake County3448.835
Wasco County3311.386
Crook County1–21–2—34
Wheeler County1–21–2—15
Morrow County1–21–2—30

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

12am5%
1am6.4%
2am4.7%
3am2.4%
4am2.1%
5am1%
6am3%
7am3%
8am2.1%
9am0.9%
10am3.5%
11am2.8%
12pm2.8%
1pm3.3%
2pm4.7%
3pm4.3%
4pm5.4%
5pm7.7%
6pm5.9%
7pm5.4%
8pm4.5%
9pm5.9%
10pm6.4%
11pm6.8%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday9%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday12%
Thursday13%
Friday17%
Saturday20%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Oregon in 1980?

646 people in 585 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1980 file.

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

Multnomah County with 96 deaths in 90 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1980 compare with 1979 in Oregon?

646 deaths against 676 in 1979 (+-4%). 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.