Idaho in 1981
Deaths 293Fatal crashes 256Per 100,000 —US deaths 49,301
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 1981.
In 1981, 293 people died in 256 fatal crashes in Idaho.
The death toll fell 11% from 331 in 1980 to 293 in 1981.
Idaho accounted for 0.6% of the 49,301 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
43.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1980 and the nation
| Measure | Idaho 1981 | Idaho 1980 | United States 1981 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 293 | 331 | 49,301 |
| Fatal crashes | 256 | 287 | 44,000 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 43% | 40% | 41% |
Counties in 1981
Every county with a fatal crash in 1981, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 41 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | 25 | 26 | 4.9 | 259 |
| Bonneville County | 22 | 24 | 18.0 | 132 |
| Kootenai County | 15 | 18 | 9.6 | 154 |
| Nez Perce County | 13 | 17 | 39.7 | 73 |
| Bingham County | 10 | 15 | 29.5 | 99 |
| Idaho County | 11 | 11 | 61.4 | 82 |
| Canyon County | 10 | 11 | 4.1 | 246 |
| Boise County | 6 | 11 | 128.2 | 60 |
| Bonner County | 9 | 9 | 16.7 | 88 |
| Bannock County | 8 | 9 | 9.9 | 99 |
| Shoshone County | 8 | 9 | 63.9 | 37 |
| Cassia County | 8 | 8 | 30.8 | 71 |
| Jerome County | 8 | 8 | 30.7 | 100 |
| Minidoka County | 6 | 8 | 35.3 | 37 |
| Owyhee County | 7 | 7 | 54.9 | 28 |
| Twin Falls County | 6 | 7 | 7.3 | 112 |
| Lemhi County | 5 | 7 | 83.4 | 21 |
| Blaine County | 6 | 6 | 23.8 | 37 |
| Gem County | 6 | 6 | 27.5 | 28 |
| Fremont County | 5 | 6 | 41.7 | 37 |
| Lincoln County | 4 | 6 | 108.0 | 31 |
| Custer County | 5 | 5 | 108.8 | 21 |
| Gooding County | 5 | 5 | 30.9 | 46 |
| Adams County | 4 | 5 | 100.0 | 23 |
| Boundary County | 4 | 5 | 35.6 | 15 |
| Elmore County | 4 | 5 | 16.8 | 90 |
| Valley County | 4 | 4 | 31.3 | 33 |
| Washington County | 4 | 4 | 34.7 | 21 |
| Madison County | 3 | 4 | 7.2 | 24 |
| Power County | 3 | 4 | 47.7 | 18 |
| Teton County | 3 | 4 | 30.9 | 16 |
| Caribou County | 3 | 3 | 41.4 | 16 |
| Jefferson County | 3 | 3 | 8.6 | 35 |
| Butte County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Franklin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 22 |
| Latah County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 26 |
| Lewis County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Payette County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 50 |
| Bear Lake County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Benewah County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Clearwater County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Idaho in 1981?
293 people in 256 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1981 file.
Which county in Idaho had the most crash deaths in 1981?
Ada County with 26 deaths in 25 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1981 compare with 1980 in Idaho?
293 deaths against 331 in 1980 (+-11%). Nationally the 1981 total was 49,301.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1981 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.