Fatal crashes in Muskegon County, Michigan
In 2024, 21 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Muskegon County, 4.5% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 189 fatal crashes and 203 deaths, the 14th most of any county in Michigan.
11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 11.6 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 177,428, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.
Deaths in Muskegon County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 21 |
| 2023 | 21 | 22 |
| 2022 | 17 | 18 |
| 2021 | 17 | 19 |
| 2020 | 23 | 23 |
| 2019 | 26 | 28 |
| 2018 | 16 | 16 |
| 2017 | 16 | 17 |
| 2016 | 18 | 21 |
| 2015 | 16 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Muskegon County
US 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Muskegon County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 18 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 24% of all fatal crashes in Muskegon County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 31 | 17 | 18 | 5 | |
| 2 | State Highway 120 | 15 | 16 | 2 | no page |
| 3 | State Highway 46 | 14 | 14 | 6 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Muskegon 26, Norton Shores 13, Muskegon Hts 10, Holton 5. 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 Muskegon County
The heaviest slot is Thursday, 8 pm to midnight, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 6.3 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.8 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.5 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.3%
- Feb5.8%
- Mar5.8%
- Apr5.8%
- May12.7%
- Jun6.3%
- Jul10.6%
- Aug11.6%
- Sep11.6%
- Oct7.9%
- Nov10.6%
- Dec5.8%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Muskegon County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 48%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a pedestrian in 8.5%, a rollover in 8.5%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 91 | 48% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 48 | 25% |
| Pedestrian | 16 | 8.5% |
| Rollover | 16 | 8.5% |
| Cyclist | 9 | 4.8% |
| Other | 7 | 3.7% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.1% |
| 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 Muskegon County compare with Michigan
A drinking driver was recorded in 28% of fatal crashes in Muskegon County from 2015 to 2024, about the Michigan share; speeding in 27%, above the Michigan share of 25%; a hit-and-run in 4.2%, below the Michigan share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.9%, about the Michigan share; 38% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the Michigan share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Michigan. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Muskegon | Michigan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 38% | 41% | below the Michigan share |
| At or near an intersection | 39% | 29% | above the Michigan share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 21% | 26% | below the Michigan share |
| A drinking driver | 28% | 28% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Speeding | 27% | 25% | above the Michigan share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.9% | 5.9% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 38% | 38% | about the same as the Michigan share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.2% | 6.5% | below the Michigan share |
| A motorcycle involved | 21% | 16% | above the Michigan share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 7.9% | 15% | below the Michigan 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 Muskegon County
- How many people died in car accidents in Muskegon County in 2024?
- 21 people died in 19 fatal crashes in Muskegon County, Michigan, in 2024, 4.5% fewer than in 2023. That is 11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan.
- What is the deadliest road in Muskegon County?
- US 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Muskegon County from 2015 to 2024: 17, with 18 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Muskegon County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Thursday, 8 pm to midnight, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Muskegon County involved a drinking driver?
- 52 of 189 fatal crashes in Muskegon County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 28%, against 28% across Michigan.
Other counties in Michigan with a page
- Wayne County
- Oakland County
- Kent County
- Macomb County
- Genesee County
- Kalamazoo County
- Washtenaw County
- Ingham County
- Calhoun County
- Ottawa County
- Saginaw County
- St. Clair County
All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.
Where the Muskegon County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Muskegon County (county code 121). 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. The full method.