States › Washington › 2021
Washington in 2021
Deaths 674Fatal crashes 607Per 100,000 8.7US deaths 43,230
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 2021.
In 2021, 674 people died in 607 fatal crashes in Washington, 8.7 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.
The death toll rose 17% from 574 in 2020 to 674 in 2021.
Washington accounted for 1.6% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
29.5% 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 (29%).
33% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 2020 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 2021 | Washington 2020 | United States 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 674 | 574 | 43,230 |
| Fatal crashes | 607 | 539 | 39,785 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 8.7 | 7.4 | 13.0 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 29% | 32% | 26% |
Counties in 2021
Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 35 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 126 | 137 | 5.9 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 92 | 98 | 10.4 | 794 |
| Yakima County | 48 | 58 | 22.4 | 405 |
| Spokane County | 56 | 57 | 10.3 | 432 |
| Snohomish County | 34 | 38 | 4.4 | 474 |
| Clark County | 31 | 36 | 6.8 | 324 |
| Thurston County | 21 | 24 | 7.9 | 219 |
| Grant County | 20 | 22 | 21.0 | 208 |
| Benton County | 18 | 20 | 9.2 | 177 |
| Whatcom County | 16 | 19 | 8.1 | 150 |
| Kitsap County | 15 | 17 | 6.0 | 177 |
| Cowlitz County | 13 | 15 | 13.2 | 125 |
| Grays Harbor County | 10 | 14 | 18.0 | 92 |
| Skagit County | 13 | 13 | 9.8 | 150 |
| Mason County | 9 | 10 | 14.4 | 115 |
| Clallam County | 8 | 10 | 12.8 | 66 |
| Franklin County | 8 | 9 | 8.9 | 81 |
| Lewis County | 7 | 8 | 9.2 | 113 |
| Chelan County | 5 | 7 | 8.6 | 71 |
| Adams County | 6 | 6 | 28.5 | 75 |
| Okanogan County | 6 | 6 | 13.4 | 86 |
| Island County | 5 | 6 | 6.9 | 66 |
| Stevens County | 3 | 6 | 12.2 | 68 |
| Douglas County | 4 | 4 | 8.7 | 41 |
| Ferry County | 4 | 4 | 53.0 | 25 |
| Jefferson County | 4 | 4 | 11.8 | 54 |
| Walla Walla County | 4 | 4 | 6.4 | 51 |
| Whitman County | 3 | 4 | 8.3 | 43 |
| Kittitas County | 3 | 3 | 6.2 | 106 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | 3 | 25.3 | 39 |
| Pend Oreille County | 3 | 3 | 20.9 | 28 |
| San Juan County | 3 | 3 | 16.1 | 11 |
| Skamania County | 3 | 3 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Pacific County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
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 2021?
674 people in 607 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 8.7 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 2021?
King County with 137 deaths in 126 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2021 compare with 2020 in Washington?
674 deaths against 574 in 2020 (+17%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.