Oregon in 1985
Deaths 559Fatal crashes 510Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,825
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 1985.
In 1985, 559 people died in 510 fatal crashes in Oregon.
The death toll was about level between 1984 (572) and 1985 (559).
Oregon accounted for 1.3% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
42.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 1984 and the nation
| Measure | Oregon 1985 | Oregon 1984 | United States 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 559 | 572 | 43,825 |
| Fatal crashes | 510 | 512 | 39,196 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 43% | 44% | 40% |
Counties in 1985
Every county with a fatal crash in 1985, 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.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County | 74 | 81 | 10.2 | 689 |
| Lane County | 50 | 52 | 13.6 | 457 |
| Clackamas County | 49 | 50 | 11.7 | 358 |
| Klamath County | 28 | 39 | 55.4 | 193 |
| Washington County | 31 | 35 | 5.7 | 287 |
| Douglas County | 29 | 31 | 27.6 | 297 |
| Marion County | 29 | 29 | 8.2 | 428 |
| Jackson County | 26 | 27 | 12.2 | 276 |
| Deschutes County | 20 | 21 | 9.9 | 209 |
| Linn County | 20 | 21 | 15.9 | 242 |
| Umatilla County | 18 | 21 | 26.1 | 125 |
| Josephine County | 17 | 20 | 22.7 | 194 |
| Lincoln County | 14 | 16 | 31.2 | 113 |
| Coos County | 13 | 15 | 23.3 | 118 |
| Polk County | 11 | 14 | 15.5 | 113 |
| Columbia County | 10 | 10 | 18.5 | 67 |
| Clatsop County | 8 | 10 | 24.4 | 110 |
| Tillamook County | 8 | 10 | 36.7 | 86 |
| Wasco County | 7 | 8 | 30.2 | 86 |
| Yamhill County | 7 | 7 | 6.3 | 131 |
| Malheur County | 6 | 7 | 21.7 | 82 |
| Jefferson County | 6 | 6 | 23.5 | 75 |
| Curry County | 5 | 5 | 22.0 | 37 |
| Harney County | 5 | 5 | 67.5 | 49 |
| Benton County | 3 | 3 | 3.0 | 87 |
| Morrow County | 3 | 3 | 24.3 | 30 |
| Union County | 3 | 3 | 11.5 | 37 |
| Gilliam County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Lake County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 35 |
| Baker County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 58 |
| Crook County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 34 |
| Grant County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 22 |
| Sherman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Wallowa County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Wheeler County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Oregon in 1985?
559 people in 510 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.
Which county in Oregon had the most crash deaths in 1985?
Multnomah County with 81 deaths in 74 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1985 compare with 1984 in Oregon?
559 deaths against 572 in 1984 (+-2%). Nationally the 1985 total was 43,825.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1985 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.