States › Washington › 2016
Washington in 2016
Deaths 536Fatal crashes 504Per 100,000 7.3US deaths 37,806
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 2016.
In 2016, 536 people died in 504 fatal crashes in Washington, 7.3 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.7 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2015 (551) and 2016 (536).
Washington accounted for 1.4% of the 37,806 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
31.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (28%).
32% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2015 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 2016 | Washington 2015 | United States 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 536 | 551 | 37,806 |
| Fatal crashes | 504 | 499 | 34,748 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 7.3 | 7.7 | 11.7 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 31% | 31% | 27% |
Counties in 2016
Every county with a fatal crash in 2016, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 37 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 96 | 100 | 4.3 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 67 | 73 | 7.8 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 41 | 44 | 5.1 | 474 |
| Yakima County | 26 | 30 | 11.6 | 405 |
| Spokane County | 26 | 26 | 4.7 | 432 |
| Benton County | 22 | 22 | 10.1 | 177 |
| Kitsap County | 20 | 21 | 7.5 | 177 |
| Clark County | 20 | 20 | 3.8 | 324 |
| Grant County | 18 | 19 | 18.1 | 208 |
| Kittitas County | 17 | 19 | 39.4 | 106 |
| Thurston County | 16 | 17 | 5.6 | 219 |
| Lewis County | 11 | 13 | 14.9 | 113 |
| Whatcom County | 12 | 12 | 5.1 | 150 |
| Okanogan County | 9 | 10 | 22.3 | 86 |
| Skagit County | 8 | 8 | 6.0 | 150 |
| Stevens County | 8 | 8 | 16.3 | 68 |
| Franklin County | 7 | 8 | 7.9 | 81 |
| Clallam County | 7 | 7 | 9.0 | 66 |
| Grays Harbor County | 7 | 7 | 9.0 | 92 |
| Mason County | 7 | 7 | 10.1 | 115 |
| Chelan County | 6 | 6 | 7.4 | 71 |
| Douglas County | 5 | 6 | 13.1 | 41 |
| Cowlitz County | 5 | 5 | 4.4 | 125 |
| Lincoln County | 5 | 5 | 42.2 | 39 |
| Walla Walla County | 5 | 5 | 8.1 | 51 |
| Whitman County | 5 | 5 | 10.3 | 43 |
| Adams County | 4 | 5 | 23.8 | 75 |
| Island County | 4 | 5 | 5.8 | 66 |
| Pacific County | 4 | 5 | 20.6 | 28 |
| Ferry County | 3 | 4 | 53.0 | 25 |
| Skamania County | 3 | 3 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Pend Oreille County | 1–2 | 3 | 20.9 | 28 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Jefferson County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 54 |
| Klickitat County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 34 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| 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
Road type
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Washington in 2016?
536 people in 504 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2016 file, or 7.3 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 2016?
King County with 100 deaths in 96 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2016 compare with 2015 in Washington?
536 deaths against 551 in 2015 (+-3%). Nationally the 2016 total was 37,806.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2016 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.