States › Washington › 1981
Washington in 1981
Deaths 862Fatal crashes 784Per 100,000 —US deaths 49,301
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 1981.
In 1981, 862 people died in 784 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll fell 11% from 971 in 1980 to 862 in 1981.
Washington accounted for 1.7% of the 49,301 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
57.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
36% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1980 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1981 | Washington 1980 | United States 1981 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 862 | 971 | 49,301 |
| Fatal crashes | 784 | 847 | 44,000 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 57% | 60% | 41% |
Counties in 1981
Every county with a fatal crash in 1981, 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 | 178 | 191 | 8.2 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 87 | 102 | 10.8 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 63 | 67 | 7.8 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 52 | 56 | 10.1 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 49 | 54 | 20.9 | 405 |
| Clark County | 28 | 30 | 5.7 | 324 |
| Kitsap County | 22 | 25 | 8.9 | 177 |
| Thurston County | 22 | 25 | 8.3 | 219 |
| Benton County | 22 | 24 | 11.0 | 177 |
| Skagit County | 20 | 22 | 16.6 | 150 |
| Whatcom County | 20 | 22 | 9.4 | 150 |
| Okanogan County | 19 | 19 | 42.3 | 86 |
| Cowlitz County | 16 | 19 | 16.7 | 125 |
| Lewis County | 16 | 18 | 20.7 | 113 |
| Grant County | 15 | 17 | 16.2 | 208 |
| Stevens County | 14 | 17 | 34.7 | 68 |
| Grays Harbor County | 13 | 14 | 18.0 | 92 |
| Walla Walla County | 13 | 13 | 20.9 | 51 |
| Kittitas County | 12 | 12 | 24.9 | 106 |
| Chelan County | 11 | 12 | 14.8 | 71 |
| Clallam County | 11 | 12 | 15.4 | 66 |
| Island County | 10 | 10 | 11.6 | 66 |
| Whitman County | 8 | 10 | 20.7 | 43 |
| Adams County | 7 | 10 | 47.5 | 75 |
| Skamania County | 7 | 9 | 71.1 | 37 |
| Mason County | 8 | 8 | 11.5 | 115 |
| Asotin County | 5 | 7 | 31.1 | 13 |
| Pacific County | 6 | 6 | 24.7 | 28 |
| Franklin County | 5 | 5 | 4.9 | 81 |
| Jefferson County | 5 | 5 | 14.7 | 54 |
| Garfield County | 4 | 5 | 208.0 | 8 |
| Douglas County | 4 | 4 | 8.7 | 41 |
| Ferry County | 4 | 4 | 53.0 | 25 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| Klickitat County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 34 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Lincoln County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 39 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
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 1981?
862 people in 784 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1981 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1981?
King County with 191 deaths in 178 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1981 compare with 1980 in Washington?
862 deaths against 971 in 1980 (+-11%). Nationally the 1981 total was 49,301.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1981 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.