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1998

Minnesota · year

Minnesota in 1998

Deaths 650Fatal crashes 575Per 100,000 —US deaths 41,501

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 1998.

In 1998, 650 people died in 575 fatal crashes in Minnesota.

The death toll rose 8% from 600 in 1997 to 650 in 1998.

Minnesota accounted for 1.6% of the 41,501 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

39.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

29% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Friday was the most common day.

Compared with 1997 and the nation

MeasureMinnesota 1998Minnesota 1997United States 1998
Deaths65060041,501
Fatal crashes57552837,107
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver39%30%30%

Counties in 1998

Every county with a fatal crash in 1998, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 80 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Hennepin County62675.3509
Anoka County28318.2200
Ramsey County26295.4225
St. Louis County262813.9183
Dakota County24265.7185
Stearns County182012.2122
Scott County162012.779
Olmsted County161911.497
Blue Earth County111926.953
Crow Wing County171826.271
Sherburne County131615.5108
Goodhue County121225.053
Renville County71283.030
Washington County11113.9105
Wright County11117.191
Benton County101126.346
Becker County91131.053
Winona County81122.042
Chisago County101016.965
Rice County91014.552
Clay County81015.045
Steele County81026.728
Carver County898.061
Mille Lacs County7932.641
Le Sueur County8827.239
Pine County8826.465
Itasca County6715.458
Kandiyohi County6715.759
Clearwater County5781.115
Mower County5717.124
Nobles County5731.924
Aitkin County6636.738
Cass County6619.167
Fillmore County6627.927
McLeod County6616.340
Morrison County6617.460
Wabasha County6627.833
Carlton County5616.344
Jackson County5660.817
Polk County5619.732
Beltrami County5510.753
Douglas County5512.548
Todd County5519.326
Dodge County4523.525
Hubbard County4522.724
Martin County4525.619
Pipestone County4554.910
Wadena County4534.622
Kanabec County4424.135
Meeker County4417.025
Otter Tail County446.664
Yellow Medicine County4442.716
Marshall County3445.614
Nicollet County3411.621
Chippewa County3324.419
Cottonwood County3326.524
Houston County3316.324
Isanti County336.963
Pope County3326.112
Redwood County3319.725
Rock County3331.512
Waseca County3316.112
Freeborn County1–239.932
Big Stone County1–21–2—6
Lake County1–21–2—19
Pennington County1–21–2—20
Red Lake County1–21–2—4
Stevens County1–21–2—10
Wilkin County1–21–2—9
Lake of the Woods County1–21–2—6
Cook County1–21–2—4
Faribault County1–21–2—32
Grant County1–21–2—10
Kittson County1–21–2—3
Lac qui Parle County1–21–2—8
Lincoln County1–21–2—5
Lyon County1–21–2—25
Sibley County1–21–2—22
Swift County1–21–2—20
Watonwan County1–21–2—11

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

12am4.2%
1am4.6%
2am4.1%
3am2.1%
4am0.9%
5am1.6%
6am2.7%
7am3.7%
8am3.7%
9am3.7%
10am4.8%
11am5.8%
12pm4.4%
1pm5.5%
2pm3.7%
3pm6.5%
4pm3.7%
5pm5.3%
6pm4.4%
7pm4.8%
8pm4.9%
9pm4.4%
10pm5.8%
11pm4.6%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday12%
Tuesday10%
Wednesday12%
Thursday12%
Friday19%
Saturday18%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Minnesota in 1998?

650 people in 575 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1998 file.

Which county in Minnesota had the most crash deaths in 1998?

Hennepin County with 67 deaths in 62 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1998 compare with 1997 in Minnesota?

650 deaths against 600 in 1997 (+8%). Nationally the 1998 total was 41,501.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1998 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.