Jimmy Carter — 39th President of the United States
39th President of the United States, Democratic
Jimmy Carter
Term: Jan 20, 1977 – Jan 20, 1981
Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) was the thirty-ninth president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. He brokered the Camp David Accords in 1978, leading to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, and negotiated the Panama Canal Treaties transferring control of the canal to Panama. His term was also marked by the Iran hostage crisis, in which 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days after the U.S. embassy in Tehran was seized, and by high inflation and an energy crisis. Carter lived until December 29, 2024, becoming the longest-lived U.S. president.
“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.”
Gas prices during the Carter presidency
- At inauguration
- $0.63
- Jan 1977
- On leaving
- $1.30
- Jan 1981
- Change
- +107.0%
- +39.2% in 2026 dollars
- Average
- $0.87
- $4.07 in 2026 dollars
- Peak
- $1.27
- Jul 1980
- Low
- $0.63
- Jan 1977
U.S. average, regular grade · Jan 1977 – Dec 1980
Nominal U.S. national averages including taxes (EIA / BLS); regional prices vary widely. Compare all presidencies on Gas Prices by President.
Events during this term
- 1979 oil crisis
Oil shock · Prices rose · Jan 1979 – Jan 1981
During this term: pump price $0.72 → $1.30 (+81.3%)