Fatal Roads

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2016

Wisconsin · year

Wisconsin in 2016

Deaths 607Fatal crashes 544Per 100,000 10.5US 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, 607 people died in 544 fatal crashes in Wisconsin, 10.5 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.7 nationally.

The death toll rose 7% from 566 in 2015 to 607 in 2016.

Wisconsin accounted for 1.6% of the 37,806 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

32.2% 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 (30%).

37% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

← 201520162017 →All years

Compared with 2015 and the nation

MeasureWisconsin 2016Wisconsin 2015United States 2016
Deaths60756637,806
Fatal crashes54452334,748
Deaths per 100,000 residents10.59.811.7
Crashes with a drinking driver32%34%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. 69 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Milwaukee County62748.0861
Dane County33386.5352
Waukesha County25276.5207
Walworth County192422.6140
Rock County202313.9210
Columbia County172136.1114
Kenosha County181810.7149
Brown County15186.6154
Racine County15178.6171
Outagamie County13147.2131
Vilas County101458.538
Dodge County121213.5127
Dunn County111123.866
Sauk County111116.5107
Grant County81121.073
Monroe County101021.670
Winnebago County10105.8108
Eau Claire County9109.266
Fond du Lac County9109.6119
Pierce County91023.148
Polk County91021.898
Washington County9107.299
Clark County81028.774
Sheboygan County8108.599
Marathon County896.5119
Juneau County7933.865
Shawano County7819.474
Jefferson County778.196
La Crosse County775.868
Oconto County7717.590
Ozaukee County777.554
St. Croix County777.197
Ashland County6637.022
Green County6616.149
Marinette County6614.265
Taylor County6629.829
Waupaca County5611.775
Wood County568.194
Oneida County5513.156
Burnett County4529.146
Barron County448.573
Bayfield County4423.836
Door County4413.137
Lincoln County4414.159
Vernon County4412.840
Price County3428.426
Richland County3423.425
Buffalo County3322.329
Crawford County3318.730
Iowa County3312.540
Iron County3348.122
Jackson County3314.345
Manitowoc County333.791
Marquette County3319.128
Sawyer County3315.940
Waushara County3312.053
Adams County1–2314.149
Calumet County1–21–2—39
Douglas County1–21–2—55
Forest County1–21–2—17
Kewaunee County1–21–2—14
Lafayette County1–21–2—28
Langlade County1–21–2—26
Portage County1–21–2—56
Chippewa County1–21–2—75
Florence County1–21–2—16
Green Lake County1–21–2—16
Pepin County1–21–2—12
Washburn 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

12am2.6%
1am2.8%
2am4.7%
3am2.6%
4am1.1%
5am0.6%
6am3.2%
7am3.4%
8am4%
9am2.6%
10am4%
11am3.2%
12pm4.5%
1pm5.1%
2pm5.8%
3pm7.5%
4pm5.1%
5pm8.5%
6pm6.8%
7pm3.8%
8pm4.5%
9pm5.3%
10pm3%
11pm5.1%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday15%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday13%
Thursday11%
Friday15%
Saturday21%

Road type

Other principal arterial30%
Minor arterial21%
Major collector16%
Local15%
Minor collector9%
Interstate7%
Other freeways and expressways2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Wisconsin in 2016?

607 people in 544 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2016 file, or 10.5 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Wisconsin had the most crash deaths in 2016?

Milwaukee County with 74 deaths in 62 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2016 compare with 2015 in Wisconsin?

607 deaths against 566 in 2015 (+7%). 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.