States › Washington › 1976
Washington in 1976
Deaths 804Fatal crashes 694Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,523
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 1976.
In 1976, 804 people died in 694 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll rose 6% from 758 in 1975 to 804 in 1976.
Washington accounted for 1.8% of the 45,523 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
36.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1975 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1976 | Washington 1975 | United States 1976 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 804 | 758 | 45,523 |
| Fatal crashes | 694 | 668 | 39,747 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 37% | 36% | 20% |
Counties in 1976
Every county with a fatal crash in 1976, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 38 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 139 | 146 | 6.2 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 59 | 69 | 7.3 | 794 |
| Yakima County | 47 | 58 | 22.4 | 405 |
| Spokane County | 46 | 53 | 9.5 | 432 |
| Snohomish County | 43 | 44 | 5.1 | 474 |
| Benton County | 30 | 32 | 14.7 | 177 |
| Clark County | 24 | 31 | 5.9 | 324 |
| Clallam County | 20 | 23 | 29.5 | 66 |
| Adams County | 12 | 23 | 109.3 | 75 |
| Skagit County | 21 | 22 | 16.6 | 150 |
| Grant County | 15 | 21 | 20.1 | 208 |
| Whatcom County | 18 | 19 | 8.1 | 150 |
| Franklin County | 14 | 19 | 18.8 | 81 |
| Kitsap County | 17 | 18 | 6.4 | 177 |
| Okanogan County | 17 | 18 | 40.1 | 86 |
| Mason County | 15 | 17 | 24.4 | 115 |
| Lewis County | 13 | 17 | 19.5 | 113 |
| Chelan County | 12 | 17 | 20.9 | 71 |
| Thurston County | 15 | 16 | 5.3 | 219 |
| Cowlitz County | 13 | 14 | 12.3 | 125 |
| Walla Walla County | 8 | 14 | 22.6 | 51 |
| Grays Harbor County | 12 | 13 | 16.7 | 92 |
| Jefferson County | 9 | 13 | 38.3 | 54 |
| Klickitat County | 9 | 13 | 53.9 | 34 |
| Island County | 8 | 12 | 13.9 | 66 |
| Pacific County | 9 | 10 | 41.2 | 28 |
| Kittitas County | 9 | 9 | 18.7 | 106 |
| Stevens County | 8 | 8 | 16.3 | 68 |
| Columbia County | 5 | 5 | 124.2 | 5 |
| Pend Oreille County | 5 | 5 | 34.9 | 28 |
| Douglas County | 4 | 5 | 10.9 | 41 |
| Whitman County | 4 | 5 | 10.3 | 43 |
| Asotin County | 4 | 4 | 17.8 | 13 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | 4 | 33.7 | 39 |
| Ferry County | 3 | 3 | 39.8 | 25 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Skamania County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
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 Washington in 1976?
804 people in 694 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1976 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1976?
King County with 146 deaths in 139 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1976 compare with 1975 in Washington?
804 deaths against 758 in 1975 (+6%). Nationally the 1976 total was 45,523.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1976 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.