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1977

South Carolina · year

South Carolina in 1977

Deaths 927Fatal crashes 807Per 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, 927 people died in 807 fatal crashes in South Carolina.

The death toll rose 15% from 806 in 1976 to 927 in 1977.

South Carolina accounted for 1.9% of the 47,878 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

28.5% 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 1976 and the nation

MeasureSouth Carolina 1977South Carolina 1976United States 1977
Deaths92780647,878
Fatal crashes80769442,211
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver29%0%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. 46 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Charleston County597116.5682
Spartanburg County526116.5672
Greenville County525910.3831
Richland County434811.1585
Horry County414410.6714
Lexington County314012.7501
Aiken County313519.5321
Florence County303525.4349
Orangeburg County313339.7387
Berkeley County253011.4410
Darlington County252844.9213
Sumter County232826.7234
York County23289.2338
Anderson County222511.5435
Georgetown County182334.8150
Laurens County192129.8238
Dorchester County172011.5245
Pickens County161813.0203
Chesterfield County161636.0118
Lancaster County161614.3167
Greenwood County151622.8124
Beaufort County14167.9225
Cherokee County141627.7160
Marion County121656.4101
Colleton County121435.7215
Oconee County101417.0142
Fairfield County131363.8113
Jasper County121336.5178
Dillon County111347.1112
Newberry County101333.295
Lee County121275.264
Marlboro County111247.1103
Clarendon County81238.7146
Chester County9927.8135
Abbeville County8832.548
Williamsburg County8826.8114
McCormick County4660.132
Allendale County5566.228
Bamberg County5538.935
Edgefield County5517.052
Kershaw County557.0167
Saluda County3525.742
Hampton County3316.564
Union County3311.271
Barnwell County1–21–2—47
Calhoun County1–21–2—67

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

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

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday9%
Tuesday10%
Wednesday11%
Thursday11%
Friday17%
Saturday25%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in South Carolina in 1977?

927 people in 807 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1977 file.

Which county in South Carolina had the most crash deaths in 1977?

Charleston County with 71 deaths in 59 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1977 compare with 1976 in South Carolina?

927 deaths against 806 in 1976 (+15%). 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.