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2009

Montana · year

Montana in 2009

Deaths 221Fatal crashes 198Per 100,000 22.5US deaths 33,883

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 2009.

In 2009, 221 people died in 198 fatal crashes in Montana, 22.5 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.0 nationally.

The death toll was about level between 2008 (229) and 2009 (221).

Montana accounted for 0.7% of the 33,883 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

44.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Wednesday was the most common day.

Compared with 2008 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2009Montana 2008United States 2009
Deaths22122933,883
Fatal crashes19820830,862
Deaths per 100,000 residents22.523.511.0
Crashes with a drinking driver44%44%33%

Counties in 2009

Every county with a fatal crash in 2009, 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.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County242414.0203
Flathead County141714.8178
Missoula County131411.4165
Lewis and Clark County121216.077
Rosebud County912146.447
Silver Bow County71027.736
Big Horn County8970.3130
Jefferson County8967.652
Lake County8823.990
Lincoln County7731.648
Sanders County7750.443
Carbon County4760.942
Beaverhead County6660.033
Gallatin County664.7108
Cascade County567.1103
Powell County5684.331
Glacier County5537.055
Ravalli County5510.446
Roosevelt County5549.040
Chouteau County3468.028
Pondera County1–2465.816
Deer Lodge County3330.621
Granite County3383.322
Mineral County3357.725
Park County3316.648
Broadwater County1–2336.121
Valley County1–2340.422
Blaine County1–21–2—16
Custer County1–21–2—13
Dawson County1–21–2—16
Hill County1–21–2—24
Phillips County1–21–2—16
Fallon County1–21–2—0
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Golden Valley County1–21–2—5
Madison County1–21–2—29
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Petroleum County1–21–2—1
Prairie County1–21–2—5
Stillwater County1–21–2—29
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14

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

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

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday12%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday17%
Thursday12%
Friday15%
Saturday16%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2009?

221 people in 198 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2009 file, or 22.5 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2009?

Yellowstone County with 24 deaths in 24 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2009 compare with 2008 in Montana?

221 deaths against 229 in 2008 (+-3%). Nationally the 2009 total was 33,883.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2009 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.