States › Washington › 1987
Washington in 1987
Deaths 780Fatal crashes 691Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,390
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 1987.
In 1987, 780 people died in 691 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll rose 11% from 703 in 1986 to 780 in 1987.
Washington accounted for 1.7% of the 46,390 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
52.2% 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 1986 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1987 | Washington 1986 | United States 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 780 | 703 | 46,390 |
| Fatal crashes | 691 | 648 | 41,438 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 52% | 55% | 42% |
Counties in 1987
Every county with a fatal crash in 1987, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 36 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 143 | 151 | 6.5 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 69 | 75 | 8.0 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 61 | 70 | 8.1 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 43 | 47 | 8.5 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 40 | 47 | 18.2 | 405 |
| Kitsap County | 23 | 30 | 10.7 | 177 |
| Clark County | 23 | 24 | 4.6 | 324 |
| Lewis County | 20 | 24 | 27.6 | 113 |
| Grays Harbor County | 18 | 23 | 29.5 | 92 |
| Chelan County | 19 | 22 | 27.1 | 71 |
| Whatcom County | 18 | 21 | 8.9 | 150 |
| Skagit County | 17 | 21 | 15.8 | 150 |
| Benton County | 17 | 20 | 9.2 | 177 |
| Thurston County | 17 | 18 | 5.9 | 219 |
| Cowlitz County | 14 | 18 | 15.8 | 125 |
| Okanogan County | 14 | 17 | 37.8 | 86 |
| Kittitas County | 13 | 15 | 31.1 | 106 |
| Mason County | 11 | 14 | 20.1 | 115 |
| Grant County | 13 | 13 | 12.4 | 208 |
| Clallam County | 12 | 12 | 15.4 | 66 |
| Jefferson County | 10 | 11 | 32.4 | 54 |
| Franklin County | 8 | 11 | 10.9 | 81 |
| Walla Walla County | 10 | 10 | 16.1 | 51 |
| Douglas County | 7 | 7 | 15.3 | 41 |
| Island County | 7 | 7 | 8.1 | 66 |
| Stevens County | 7 | 7 | 14.3 | 68 |
| Klickitat County | 6 | 7 | 29.0 | 34 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 7 | 291.2 | 8 |
| Lincoln County | 6 | 6 | 50.6 | 39 |
| Pacific County | 5 | 6 | 24.7 | 28 |
| Ferry County | 5 | 5 | 66.3 | 25 |
| Whitman County | 5 | 5 | 10.3 | 43 |
| Pend Oreille County | 3 | 4 | 27.9 | 28 |
| Columbia County | 3 | 3 | 74.5 | 5 |
| Adams County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 75 |
| 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 1987?
780 people in 691 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1987 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1987?
King County with 151 deaths in 143 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1987 compare with 1986 in Washington?
780 deaths against 703 in 1986 (+11%). Nationally the 1987 total was 46,390.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1987 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.