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2008

Wisconsin · year

Wisconsin in 2008

Deaths 605Fatal crashes 561Per 100,000 10.7US deaths 37,423

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 2008.

In 2008, 605 people died in 561 fatal crashes in Wisconsin, 10.7 deaths per 100,000 residents against 12.3 nationally.

The death toll fell 20% from 756 in 2007 to 605 in 2008.

Wisconsin accounted for 1.6% of the 37,423 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

39.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

32% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 2007 and the nation

MeasureWisconsin 2008Wisconsin 2007United States 2008
Deaths60575637,423
Fatal crashes56167534,172
Deaths per 100,000 residents10.713.512.3
Crashes with a drinking driver40%51%33%

Counties in 2008

Every county with a fatal crash in 2008, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 69 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Milwaukee County46475.1861
Dane County31376.3352
Kenosha County272917.2149
Waukesha County25276.5207
Dodge County172123.7127
Racine County202010.1171
Rock County161710.3210
Marathon County131712.2119
Shawano County111433.974
Outagamie County13136.7131
Sauk County131319.6107
Polk County111328.498
Winnebago County11137.5108
Manitowoc County121214.791
Brown County11124.4154
Barron County111123.573
St. Croix County111111.297
Sheboygan County11119.399
Eau Claire County91110.166
Chippewa County101014.975
Columbia County101017.2114
Marinette County101023.665
Jefferson County91011.696
Pierce County7920.748
Fond du Lac County887.7119
Waushara County7831.953
Portage County6811.156
Adams County7732.849
Oconto County7717.590
Vernon County7722.340
Vilas County7729.238
Washington County775.099
Waupaca County7713.775
Douglas County6715.855
Jackson County6733.345
Juneau County6726.365
Trempealeau County6722.732
Crawford County6637.530
Dunn County6613.066
Lincoln County5621.159
Door County5516.437
Lafayette County5528.928
Monroe County5510.870
Oneida County5513.156
Ozaukee County555.354
Rusk County5535.334
Walworth County554.7140
Calumet County459.339
Forest County4442.117
Grant County447.673
Richland County4423.425
Sawyer County4421.240
Taylor County4419.829
Iowa County3416.740
Bayfield County3317.836
Clark County338.674
La Crosse County332.568
Washburn County3317.725
Price County1–2321.326
Ashland County1–21–2—22
Buffalo County1–21–2—29
Green County1–21–2—49
Marquette County1–21–2—28
Menominee County1–21–2—11
Wood County1–21–2—94
Burnett County1–21–2—46
Iron County1–21–2—22
Kewaunee County1–21–2—14
Langlade County1–21–2—26

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

12am7.3%
1am3.4%
2am7.3%
3am1.4%
4am1.1%
5am2.7%
6am3.2%
7am3.4%
8am1.8%
9am2.5%
10am4.1%
11am1.2%
12pm3.7%
1pm5.3%
2pm6.1%
3pm7%
4pm6.1%
5pm3.6%
6pm5.7%
7pm5%
8pm4.8%
9pm6.1%
10pm3%
11pm4.3%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday9%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday12%
Thursday14%
Friday16%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Wisconsin in 2008?

605 people in 561 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2008 file, or 10.7 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Wisconsin had the most crash deaths in 2008?

Milwaukee County with 47 deaths in 46 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2008 compare with 2007 in Wisconsin?

605 deaths against 756 in 2007 (+-20%). Nationally the 2008 total was 37,423.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2008 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.