Fatal Roads

States › Nebraska › 2020

2020

Nebraska · year

Nebraska in 2020

Deaths 233Fatal crashes 217Per 100,000 11.9US 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, 233 people died in 217 fatal crashes in Nebraska, 11.9 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.

The death toll fell 6% from 248 in 2019 to 233 in 2020.

Nebraska accounted for 0.6% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

35% 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 (29%).

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

← 201920202021 →All years

Compared with 2019 and the nation

MeasureNebraska 2020Nebraska 2019United States 2020
Deaths23324839,007
Fatal crashes21721235,935
Deaths per 100,000 residents11.912.811.8
Crashes with a drinking driver35%30%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. 66 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Douglas County41467.7441
Lancaster County17185.4203
Lincoln County91236.061
Sarpy County994.4106
Dodge County8821.164
Hall County7711.171
Saline County6747.527
Scotts Bluff County6719.653
Cass County6621.862
Seward County5528.148
Adams County4516.034
Burt County4459.520
Cheyenne County4441.722
Platte County4411.330
Washington County4418.824
Deuel County34211.411
Kimball County34121.025
Saunders County3417.147
Buffalo County335.960
Custer County3328.622
Dakota County3314.124
Dawson County3312.251
Keith County3336.833
Pawnee County33119.08
Thayer County1–2361.611
Butler County1–21–2—19
Clay County1–21–2—17
Gage County1–21–2—28
Gosper County1–21–2—8
Greeley County1–21–2—3
Jefferson County1–21–2—14
Merrick County1–21–2—27
Morrill County1–21–2—22
Otoe County1–21–2—26
Phelps County1–21–2—20
Red Willow County1–21–2—16
Wayne County1–21–2—18
York County1–21–2—43
Antelope County1–21–2—22
Banner County1–21–2—3
Blaine County1–21–2—3
Box Butte County1–21–2—25
Cedar County1–21–2—26
Cherry County1–21–2—23
Colfax County1–21–2—21
Cuming County1–21–2—18
Dawes County1–21–2—11
Dixon County1–21–2—4
Fillmore County1–21–2—12
Garden County1–21–2—4
Grant County1–21–2—2
Harlan County1–21–2—8
Hitchcock County1–21–2—10
Holt County1–21–2—8
Johnson County1–21–2—12
Kearney County1–21–2—16
Knox County1–21–2—12
McPherson County1–21–2—1
Madison County1–21–2—52
Nance County1–21–2—6
Nemaha County1–21–2—15
Polk County1–21–2—13
Richardson County1–21–2—14
Sherman County1–21–2—7
Thurston County1–21–2—25
Webster County1–21–2—9

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

12am1.1%
1am3.7%
2am3.2%
3am2.6%
4am3.2%
5am2.1%
6am1.6%
7am4.2%
8am1.1%
9am2.1%
10am6.9%
11am9.5%
12pm2.6%
1pm7.4%
2pm3.2%
3pm7.4%
4pm3.7%
5pm3.7%
6pm4.2%
7pm5.8%
8pm4.8%
9pm4.8%
10pm4.8%
11pm6.3%

Weekday

Sunday14%
Monday14%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday10%
Thursday17%
Friday16%
Saturday18%

Road type

Other principal arterial29%
Minor arterial27%
Local14%
Interstate12%
Major collector11%
Other freeways and expressways5%
Minor collector2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Nebraska in 2020?

233 people in 217 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 11.9 per 100,000 residents.

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

Douglas County with 46 deaths in 41 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2020 compare with 2019 in Nebraska?

233 deaths against 248 in 2019 (+-6%). 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.