Fatal Roads

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2020

Montana · year

Montana in 2020

Deaths 213Fatal crashes 190Per 100,000 19.6US deaths 39,007

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 2020.

In 2020, 213 people died in 190 fatal crashes in Montana, 19.6 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.

The death toll rose 16% from 184 in 2019 to 213 in 2020.

Montana accounted for 0.5% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

51.1% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (30%).

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

← 201920202021 →All years

Compared with 2019 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2020Montana 2019United States 2020
Deaths21318439,007
Fatal crashes19016635,935
Deaths per 100,000 residents19.617.211.8
Crashes with a drinking driver51%42%27%

Counties in 2020

Every county with a fatal crash in 2020, 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
Flathead County191916.6178
Missoula County141613.1165
Yellowstone County14169.3203
Big Horn County1316125.0130
Cascade County121618.9103
Lake County101029.990
Rosebud County79109.847
Jefferson County8860.152
Park County7844.348
Stillwater County6774.129
Gallatin County564.7108
Chouteau County1–26102.028
Carbon County5543.542
Granite County55138.822
Lewis and Clark County556.777
Powell County5570.231
Blaine County4457.916
Broadwater County3448.221
Beaverhead County3330.033
Deer Lodge County3330.621
Fergus County3325.322
Ravalli County336.246
Roosevelt County3329.440
Sanders County3321.643
Sweet Grass County3379.914
Golden Valley County1–21–2—5
McCone County1–21–2—6
Mineral County1–21–2—25
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Silver Bow County1–21–2—36
Valley County1–21–2—22
Glacier County1–21–2—55
Judith Basin County1–21–2—16
Custer County1–21–2—13
Daniels County1–21–2—3
Dawson County1–21–2—16
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Hill County1–21–2—24
Lincoln County1–21–2—48
Madison County1–21–2—29
Pondera County1–21–2—16
Powder River County1–21–2—9
Prairie County1–21–2—5
Richland County1–21–2—12

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

12am6.9%
1am2.7%
2am3.7%
3am2.7%
4am2.1%
5am2.7%
6am2.1%
7am2.7%
8am2.7%
9am1.6%
10am3.7%
11am3.7%
12pm1.6%
1pm4.8%
2pm4.3%
3pm7.4%
4pm8%
5pm5.9%
6pm3.7%
7pm6.4%
8pm7.4%
9pm6.4%
10pm4.3%
11pm2.7%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday15%
Tuesday9%
Wednesday14%
Thursday9%
Friday15%
Saturday22%

Road type

Other principal arterial30%
Interstate19%
Local17%
Major collector16%
Minor arterial14%
Minor collector4%
Other freeways and expressways0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2020?

213 people in 190 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 19.6 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2020?

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

How did 2020 compare with 2019 in Montana?

213 deaths against 184 in 2019 (+16%). Nationally the 2020 total was 39,007.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2020 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.