Oregon in 2003
Deaths 512Fatal crashes 429Per 100,000 14.4US deaths 42,884
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 2003.
In 2003, 512 people died in 429 fatal crashes in Oregon, 14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.8 nationally.
The death toll rose 17% from 436 in 2002 to 512 in 2003.
Oregon accounted for 1.2% of the 42,884 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
37.8% 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; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2002 and the nation
| Measure | Oregon 2003 | Oregon 2002 | United States 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 512 | 436 | 42,884 |
| Fatal crashes | 429 | 388 | 38,477 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 14.4 | 12.4 | 14.8 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 38% | 39% | 35% |
Counties in 2003
Every county with a fatal crash in 2003, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 34 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County | 53 | 56 | 7.0 | 689 |
| Lane County | 36 | 46 | 12.0 | 457 |
| Clackamas County | 30 | 40 | 9.4 | 358 |
| Marion County | 30 | 36 | 10.2 | 428 |
| Jackson County | 24 | 28 | 12.7 | 276 |
| Linn County | 25 | 27 | 20.4 | 242 |
| Washington County | 23 | 27 | 4.4 | 287 |
| Douglas County | 24 | 26 | 23.2 | 297 |
| Deschutes County | 17 | 22 | 10.4 | 209 |
| Josephine County | 18 | 20 | 22.7 | 194 |
| Klamath County | 17 | 20 | 28.4 | 193 |
| Polk County | 14 | 17 | 18.8 | 113 |
| Malheur County | 7 | 17 | 52.6 | 82 |
| Coos County | 9 | 15 | 23.3 | 118 |
| Jefferson County | 11 | 14 | 54.8 | 75 |
| Umatilla County | 11 | 11 | 13.7 | 125 |
| Lincoln County | 10 | 10 | 19.5 | 113 |
| Tillamook County | 9 | 9 | 33.0 | 86 |
| Wasco County | 7 | 9 | 34.0 | 86 |
| Sherman County | 7 | 7 | 349.7 | 18 |
| Union County | 6 | 6 | 23.0 | 37 |
| Yamhill County | 6 | 6 | 5.4 | 131 |
| Curry County | 4 | 6 | 26.3 | 37 |
| Crook County | 4 | 5 | 18.3 | 34 |
| Harney County | 3 | 5 | 67.5 | 49 |
| Benton County | 4 | 4 | 4.0 | 87 |
| Baker County | 3 | 4 | 23.9 | 58 |
| Hood River County | 3 | 4 | 16.8 | 24 |
| Columbia County | 3 | 3 | 5.5 | 67 |
| Wheeler County | 3 | 3 | 206.0 | 15 |
| Clatsop County | 1–2 | 3 | 7.3 | 110 |
| Gilliam County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Grant County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 22 |
| Morrow County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Oregon in 2003?
512 people in 429 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2003 file, or 14.4 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Oregon had the most crash deaths in 2003?
Multnomah County with 56 deaths in 53 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2003 compare with 2002 in Oregon?
512 deaths against 436 in 2002 (+17%). Nationally the 2003 total was 42,884.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2003 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.