Fatal Roads

States › Montana › 2021

2021

Montana · year

Montana in 2021

Deaths 239Fatal crashes 222Per 100,000 21.6US deaths 43,230

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 2021.

In 2021, 239 people died in 222 fatal crashes in Montana, 21.6 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.

The death toll rose 12% from 213 in 2020 to 239 in 2021.

Montana accounted for 0.6% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

45.5% 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%).

34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

← 202020212022 →All years

Compared with 2020 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2021Montana 2020United States 2021
Deaths23921343,230
Fatal crashes22219039,785
Deaths per 100,000 residents21.619.613.0
Crashes with a drinking driver45%51%26%

Counties in 2021

Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, 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 County252916.9203
Flathead County182017.5178
Missoula County171814.7165
Cascade County121315.4103
Jefferson County101397.752
Gallatin County11129.5108
Lake County101029.990
Ravalli County101020.846
Big Horn County9970.3130
Lewis and Clark County9912.077
Glacier County7751.855
Lincoln County6627.048
Sanders County6643.243
Park County4527.748
Powell County4570.231
Pondera County3582.316
Mineral County4477.025
Phillips County4494.916
Roosevelt County4439.240
Silver Bow County4411.136
Valley County3453.822
Chouteau County3351.028
Custer County3325.113
Dawson County3334.416
Fergus County3325.322
Granite County3383.322
Rosebud County3336.647
Beaverhead County1–21–2—33
Carbon County1–21–2—42
Golden Valley County1–21–2—5
Judith Basin County1–21–2—16
Meagher County1–21–2—8
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Hill County1–21–2—24
Madison County1–21–2—29
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Powder River County1–21–2—9
Stillwater County1–21–2—29
Teton County1–21–2—11
Toole County1–21–2—5
Treasure County1–21–2—10
Wheatland County1–21–2—3

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

12am6.8%
1am2.3%
2am3.2%
3am2.7%
4am1.4%
5am2.7%
6am2.7%
7am2.7%
8am2.7%
9am3.2%
10am4.5%
11am5%
12pm4.5%
1pm3.2%
2pm4.1%
3pm5%
4pm4.1%
5pm5.4%
6pm7.7%
7pm4.1%
8pm8.1%
9pm4.1%
10pm5.9%
11pm4.1%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday12%
Tuesday16%
Wednesday7%
Thursday14%
Friday17%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial30%
Interstate21%
Major collector16%
Minor arterial14%
Local12%
Minor collector5%
Other freeways and expressways0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2021?

239 people in 222 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 21.6 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2021?

Yellowstone County with 29 deaths in 25 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2021 compare with 2020 in Montana?

239 deaths against 213 in 2020 (+12%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.