Fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington
In 2024, 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington, 40.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 141 fatal crashes and 150 deaths, the 12th most of 39 counties in Washington.
5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington in 2024; 6.6 against 8.2 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 234,954, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Washington.
Deaths in Whatcom County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 19 | 20 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 |
| 2021 | 16 | 19 |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 |
| 2019 | 14 | 15 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 |
| 2017 | 21 | 24 |
| 2016 | 12 | 12 |
| 2015 | 10 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Whatcom County
I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 27 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 34% of all fatal crashes in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 3 state highways. 48% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 52% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-5 | 26 | 27 | 7 | |
| 2 | State Highway 542 | 8 | 10 | 1 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 539 | 7 | 7 | 5 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 9 | 7 | 7 | 3 | no page |
Bellingham had 25% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 35 of 141.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Bellingham 35, Ferndale 7. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Whatcom County
141 fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is July.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Thu | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 1.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.7 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.2%
- Feb6.4%
- Mar3.5%
- Apr6.4%
- May11.3%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul12.1%
- Aug10.6%
- Sep8.5%
- Oct5.0%
- Nov9.9%
- Dec7.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Whatcom County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 32%; a collision with another vehicle in 27%, a pedestrian in 20%, a cyclist in 6.4%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 45 | 32% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 38 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 28 | 20% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 6.4% |
| Rollover | 9 | 6.4% |
| Other | 8 | 5.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 2.8% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Whatcom County compare with Washington
The largest difference from Washington: from 2015 to 2024, 54% of fatal crashes in Whatcom County were on rural roads, against 42% across Washington. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Washington. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 141 crashes.
| Whatcom | Washington | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 54% | 42% | above the Washington share |
| At or near an intersection | 23% | 26% | about the same as the Washington share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 24% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 31% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Speeding | 38% | 31% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 23% | 21% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 40% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Hit-and-run | 7.1% | 6.3% | about the same as the Washington share |
| A motorcycle involved | 18% | 17% | about the same as the Washington share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 22% | 18% | about the same as the Washington share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington
- How many people died in car accidents in Whatcom County in 2024?
- 12 people died in 12 fatal crashes in Whatcom County, Washington, in 2024, 40.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.2 across Washington. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Whatcom County?
- I-5 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024: 26, with 27 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Whatcom County involved a drinking driver?
- 37 of 141 fatal crashes in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 31% across Washington.
Other counties in Washington with a page
- King County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Clark County
- Thurston County
- Grant County
- Kitsap County
- Benton County
- Skagit County
- Cowlitz County
All fatal crashes in Washington, with every county ranked.
Where the Whatcom County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Whatcom County (county code 73). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/washington/whatcom-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”