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1977

Montana · year

Montana in 1977

Deaths 316Fatal crashes 258Per 100,000 —US deaths 47,878

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 1977.

In 1977, 316 people died in 258 fatal crashes in Montana.

The death toll rose 6% from 299 in 1976 to 316 in 1977.

Montana accounted for 0.7% of the 47,878 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

54.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Sunday was the most common day.

Compared with 1976 and the nation

MeasureMontana 1977Montana 1976United States 1977
Deaths31629947,878
Fatal crashes25824842,211
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver54%32%34%

Counties in 1977

Every county with a fatal crash in 1977, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 45 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Cascade County253541.4103
Flathead County172521.8178
Yellowstone County202212.8203
Missoula County181814.7165
Glacier County111396.355
Hill County81274.724
Rosebud County1011134.247
Blaine County811159.416
Phillips County511261.016
Gallatin County9107.9108
Lake County91029.990
Silver Bow County61027.736
Lewis and Clark County9912.077
Big Horn County8862.5130
Jefferson County5860.152
Mineral County67134.725
Deer Lodge County4771.321
Fergus County6650.622
Valley County6680.722
Beaverhead County5660.033
Roosevelt County5658.840
Carbon County5543.542
Teton County5577.611
Madison County3551.329
Lincoln County4418.048
Musselshell County4473.417
Pondera County4465.816
Sweet Grass County44106.514
Richland County3436.312
McCone County33174.76
Ravalli County336.246
Custer County1–2325.113
Dawson County1–2334.416
Park County1–2316.648
Toole County1–2358.25
Chouteau County1–21–2—28
Treasure County1–21–2—10
Broadwater County1–21–2—21
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Granite County1–21–2—22
Liberty County1–21–2—2
Powell County1–21–2—31
Sanders County1–21–2—43
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Stillwater County1–21–2—29

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

12am8.7%
1am5.1%
2am9.1%
3am4.7%
4am1.2%
5am1.2%
6am1.6%
7am2%
8am0.8%
9am1.6%
10am3.1%
11am2.8%
12pm3.1%
1pm3.5%
2pm3.9%
3pm4.7%
4pm5.5%
5pm5.5%
6pm6.3%
7pm4.7%
8pm6.3%
9pm5.9%
10pm3.9%
11pm4.7%

Weekday

Sunday22%
Monday14%
Tuesday9%
Wednesday10%
Thursday14%
Friday12%
Saturday20%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 1977?

316 people in 258 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1977 file.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 1977?

Cascade County with 35 deaths in 25 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1977 compare with 1976 in Montana?

316 deaths against 299 in 1976 (+6%). Nationally the 1977 total was 47,878.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1977 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.