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2004

Montana · year

Montana in 2004

Deaths 229Fatal crashes 209Per 100,000 24.6US deaths 42,836

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 2004.

In 2004, 229 people died in 209 fatal crashes in Montana, 24.6 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.6 nationally.

The death toll fell 13% from 262 in 2003 to 229 in 2004.

Montana accounted for 0.5% of the 42,836 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

47.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

31% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 2003 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2004Montana 2003United States 2004
Deaths22926242,836
Fatal crashes20923938,444
Deaths per 100,000 residents24.628.514.6
Crashes with a drinking driver47%53%34%

Counties in 2004

Every county with a fatal crash in 2004, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 44 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County202011.7203
Flathead County171916.6178
Gallatin County121612.6108
Missoula County131310.6165
Lake County111235.990
Glacier County81181.555
Cascade County91011.8103
Big Horn County8862.5130
Sanders County6750.443
Jefferson County6645.152
Ravalli County6612.546
Silver Bow County6616.636
Stillwater County6663.529
Carbon County4652.242
Beaverhead County5550.033
Chouteau County5585.028
Mineral County5596.225
Park County5527.748
Rosebud County5561.047
Broadwater County4560.221
Pondera County4582.316
Lewis and Clark County445.377
Madison County4441.029
Valley County1–2453.822
Blaine County3343.516
Granite County3383.322
McCone County33174.76
Richland County3327.212
Dawson County1–2334.416
Hill County1–2318.724
Fallon County1–21–2—0
Petroleum County1–21–2—1
Powder River County1–21–2—9
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14
Custer County1–21–2—13
Deer Lodge County1–21–2—21
Fergus County1–21–2—22
Lincoln County1–21–2—48
Meagher County1–21–2—8
Phillips County1–21–2—16
Powell County1–21–2—31
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Teton County1–21–2—11
Wibaux County1–21–2—1

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

12am2.4%
1am5.3%
2am4.3%
3am3.4%
4am1.4%
5am1.4%
6am3.4%
7am4.8%
8am1.9%
9am3.4%
10am3.8%
11am4.8%
12pm1%
1pm2.4%
2pm2.9%
3pm5.8%
4pm8.2%
5pm8.7%
6pm4.8%
7pm5.3%
8pm4.3%
9pm6.3%
10pm6.3%
11pm3.8%

Weekday

Sunday13%
Monday10%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday15%
Thursday14%
Friday18%
Saturday19%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2004?

229 people in 209 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2004 file, or 24.6 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2004?

Yellowstone County with 20 deaths in 20 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2004 compare with 2003 in Montana?

229 deaths against 262 in 2003 (+-13%). Nationally the 2004 total was 42,836.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2004 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.