States › North Dakota › 1978
North Dakota in 1978
Deaths 181Fatal crashes 148Per 100,000 —US deaths 50,331
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 1978.
In 1978, 181 people died in 148 fatal crashes in North Dakota.
The death toll was about level between 1977 (175) and 1978 (181).
North Dakota accounted for 0.4% of the 50,331 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
32.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
38% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1977 and the nation
| Measure | North Dakota 1978 | North Dakota 1977 | United States 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 181 | 175 | 50,331 |
| Fatal crashes | 148 | 150 | 44,433 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 32% | 17% | 36% |
Counties in 1978
Every county with a fatal crash in 1978, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 43 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton County | 10 | 15 | 43.9 | 56 |
| Cass County | 9 | 14 | 7.0 | 88 |
| Grand Forks County | 10 | 10 | 13.6 | 62 |
| Williams County | 9 | 9 | 22.1 | 77 |
| Rolette County | 6 | 9 | 77.0 | 48 |
| Dunn County | 7 | 8 | 198.5 | 18 |
| Mountrail County | 5 | 8 | 84.4 | 49 |
| Burleigh County | 6 | 7 | 6.8 | 60 |
| Stark County | 6 | 7 | 20.7 | 37 |
| Stutsman County | 6 | 6 | 27.8 | 31 |
| Burke County | 4 | 6 | 278.6 | 3 |
| Ramsey County | 5 | 5 | 43.4 | 14 |
| Ward County | 5 | 5 | 7.3 | 62 |
| McKenzie County | 4 | 5 | 33.8 | 79 |
| McLean County | 4 | 5 | 50.8 | 27 |
| Benson County | 4 | 4 | 69.5 | 35 |
| Nelson County | 4 | 4 | 133.0 | 7 |
| Pembina County | 1–2 | 4 | 60.7 | 11 |
| Walsh County | 1–2 | 4 | 39.2 | 23 |
| Cavalier County | 3 | 3 | 84.1 | 5 |
| Ransom County | 3 | 3 | 53.7 | 12 |
| Richland County | 3 | 3 | 18.0 | 31 |
| Wells County | 1–2 | 3 | 78.9 | 4 |
| Golden Valley County | 1–2 | 3 | 167.1 | 6 |
| Adams County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Barnes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 21 |
| Bottineau County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Bowman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Foster County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 1 |
| McHenry County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Oliver County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Slope County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Traill County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Dickey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Kidder County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Towner County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 7 |
| Divide County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Griggs County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| LaMoure County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| McIntosh County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
| Mercer County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Sheridan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Steele County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in North Dakota in 1978?
181 people in 148 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1978 file.
Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 1978?
Morton County with 15 deaths in 10 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1978 compare with 1977 in North Dakota?
181 deaths against 175 in 1977 (+3%). Nationally the 1978 total was 50,331.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1978 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.