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2003

Wisconsin · year

Wisconsin in 2003

Deaths 848Fatal crashes 761Per 100,000 15.5US deaths 42,884

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 2003.

In 2003, 848 people died in 761 fatal crashes in Wisconsin, 15.5 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.8 nationally.

The death toll rose 6% from 803 in 2002 to 848 in 2003.

Wisconsin accounted for 2% of the 42,884 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

44.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

33% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Sunday was the most common day.

Compared with 2002 and the nation

MeasureWisconsin 2003Wisconsin 2002United States 2003
Deaths84880342,884
Fatal crashes76172138,477
Deaths per 100,000 residents15.514.714.8
Crashes with a drinking driver45%43%35%

Counties in 2003

Every county with a fatal crash in 2003, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 71 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Milwaukee County51576.2861
Dane County40427.1352
Rock County303722.4210
Waukesha County31337.9207
Fond du Lac County223230.7119
Marathon County273122.3119
Brown County262910.6154
Kenosha County212414.2149
Outagamie County172412.3131
Winnebago County192212.7108
St. Croix County162020.497
Walworth County191917.9140
Dodge County181921.4127
Racine County18199.6171
Oconto County151845.090
Washington County161611.599
Grant County151630.673
Manitowoc County131518.491
Wood County131418.994
Polk County121430.598
Waupaca County131325.475
Columbia County111322.4114
Lincoln County111345.759
Pierce County111330.048
Marinette County121228.365
Jefferson County111112.896
Juneau County111141.465
Vernon County111135.140
Barron County101123.573
Portage County101115.356
Sheboygan County10119.399
Monroe County81021.670
Chippewa County9913.475
Dunn County9919.566
Eau Claire County998.366
Shawano County9921.874
Jackson County8942.845
Clark County7925.974
Washburn County7953.025
Burnett County8846.546
Calumet County7713.139
Oneida County7718.356
Ozaukee County777.554
Adams County6732.849
Langlade County6735.826
Price County6749.726
Vilas County6729.238
Douglas County6613.655
Green County6616.149
Iowa County6625.040
Marquette County6638.128
Ashland County4637.022
Door County5516.437
Kewaunee County5524.114
Sauk County557.5107
Iron County4580.222
Bayfield County4423.836
Rusk County4428.234
Waushara County4415.953
Sawyer County1–2421.240
Green Lake County3315.516
La Crosse County332.568
Lafayette County3317.328
Buffalo County1–21–2—29
Crawford County1–21–2—30
Taylor County1–21–2—29
Trempealeau County1–21–2—32
Florence County1–21–2—16
Forest County1–21–2—17
Menominee County1–21–2—11
Richland County1–21–2—25

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

12am3.3%
1am4.1%
2am7.7%
3am2.3%
4am2.3%
5am2%
6am2.4%
7am3.5%
8am3.3%
9am3%
10am2.7%
11am3.7%
12pm3.3%
1pm5.3%
2pm5.3%
3pm7.6%
4pm5.7%
5pm6%
6pm5.8%
7pm4.7%
8pm4.7%
9pm3.9%
10pm3.4%
11pm4.1%

Weekday

Sunday19%
Monday13%
Tuesday10%
Wednesday11%
Thursday13%
Friday17%
Saturday18%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Wisconsin in 2003?

848 people in 761 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2003 file, or 15.5 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Wisconsin had the most crash deaths in 2003?

Milwaukee County with 57 deaths in 51 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2003 compare with 2002 in Wisconsin?

848 deaths against 803 in 2002 (+6%). Nationally the 2003 total was 42,884.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2003 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.