States › Washington › 2009
Washington in 2009
Deaths 492Fatal crashes 453Per 100,000 7.4US deaths 33,883
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 2009.
In 2009, 492 people died in 453 fatal crashes in Washington, 7.4 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.0 nationally.
The death toll fell 6% from 521 in 2008 to 492 in 2009.
Washington accounted for 1.5% of the 33,883 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
47.2% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
30% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 2008 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 2009 | Washington 2008 | United States 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 492 | 521 | 33,883 |
| Fatal crashes | 453 | 482 | 30,862 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 7.4 | 7.9 | 11.0 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 47% | 42% | 33% |
Counties in 2009
Every county with a fatal crash in 2009, 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 | 71 | 77 | 3.3 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 44 | 46 | 4.9 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 39 | 45 | 5.2 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 42 | 44 | 7.9 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 35 | 41 | 15.9 | 405 |
| Grant County | 21 | 22 | 21.0 | 208 |
| Thurston County | 17 | 19 | 6.3 | 219 |
| Lewis County | 17 | 18 | 20.7 | 113 |
| Kitsap County | 16 | 18 | 6.4 | 177 |
| Whatcom County | 16 | 17 | 7.2 | 150 |
| Skagit County | 14 | 14 | 10.5 | 150 |
| Clark County | 13 | 14 | 2.7 | 324 |
| Chelan County | 9 | 12 | 14.8 | 71 |
| Benton County | 11 | 11 | 5.0 | 177 |
| Franklin County | 9 | 10 | 9.9 | 81 |
| Okanogan County | 8 | 8 | 17.8 | 86 |
| Cowlitz County | 7 | 7 | 6.1 | 125 |
| Clallam County | 5 | 7 | 9.0 | 66 |
| Grays Harbor County | 5 | 5 | 6.4 | 92 |
| Kittitas County | 5 | 5 | 10.4 | 106 |
| Mason County | 5 | 5 | 7.2 | 115 |
| Pacific County | 5 | 5 | 20.6 | 28 |
| Stevens County | 4 | 5 | 10.2 | 68 |
| Whitman County | 4 | 5 | 10.3 | 43 |
| Pend Oreille County | 4 | 4 | 27.9 | 28 |
| Walla Walla County | 4 | 4 | 6.4 | 51 |
| Klickitat County | 3 | 4 | 16.6 | 34 |
| Ferry County | 3 | 3 | 39.8 | 25 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | 3 | 25.3 | 39 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Jefferson County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 54 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Skamania County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| Adams County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 75 |
| Douglas County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 41 |
| Island County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 66 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
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 2009?
492 people in 453 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2009 file, or 7.4 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 2009?
King County with 77 deaths in 71 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2009 compare with 2008 in Washington?
492 deaths against 521 in 2008 (+-6%). Nationally the 2009 total was 33,883.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2009 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.