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2005

Montana · year

Montana in 2005

Deaths 251Fatal crashes 224Per 100,000 26.7US deaths 43,510

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 2005.

In 2005, 251 people died in 224 fatal crashes in Montana, 26.7 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.7 nationally.

The death toll rose 10% from 229 in 2004 to 251 in 2005.

Montana accounted for 0.6% of the 43,510 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

47.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

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

Compared with 2004 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2005Montana 2004United States 2005
Deaths25122943,510
Fatal crashes22420939,252
Deaths per 100,000 residents26.724.614.7
Crashes with a drinking driver48%47%35%

Counties in 2005

Every county with a fatal crash in 2005, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 48 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County192313.4203
Missoula County172016.3165
Flathead County151714.8178
Lake County141441.990
Big Horn County101186.0130
Gallatin County10118.7108
Lewis and Clark County91013.377
Cascade County9910.6103
Lincoln County7731.648
Silver Bow County6719.436
Madison County6661.529
Ravalli County6612.546
Rosebud County5673.247
Sanders County5643.243
Fergus County5542.222
Granite County55138.822
Powell County5570.231
Chouteau County4585.028
Custer County4541.813
Glacier County4537.055
Jefferson County4537.652
Mineral County4477.025
Park County4422.148
Beaverhead County3440.033
Toole County3477.65
Petroleum County1–24761.91
Blaine County3343.516
Deer Lodge County3330.621
Stillwater County3331.729
Wibaux County33329.31
Phillips County1–2371.216
Sweet Grass County1–2379.914
Wheatland County1–23145.83
Broadwater County1–21–2—21
Carbon County1–21–2—42
Meagher County1–21–2—8
Richland County1–21–2—12
Valley County1–21–2—22
Judith Basin County1–21–2—16
Dawson County1–21–2—16
Fallon County1–21–2—0
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Golden Valley County1–21–2—5
Hill County1–21–2—24
Liberty County1–21–2—2
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Pondera County1–21–2—16
Roosevelt County1–21–2—40

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

12am9%
1am6.3%
2am5%
3am0.9%
4am2.3%
5am3.2%
6am1.4%
7am3.6%
8am3.6%
9am3.2%
10am2.7%
11am2.3%
12pm3.2%
1pm4.5%
2pm5.4%
3pm6.3%
4pm4.5%
5pm7.2%
6pm5.9%
7pm4.1%
8pm5.4%
9pm2.7%
10pm5.4%
11pm1.8%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday11%
Tuesday9%
Wednesday14%
Thursday15%
Friday14%
Saturday20%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2005?

251 people in 224 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2005 file, or 26.7 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2005?

Yellowstone County with 23 deaths in 19 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2005 compare with 2004 in Montana?

251 deaths against 229 in 2004 (+10%). Nationally the 2005 total was 43,510.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2005 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.