States › North Dakota › 1979
North Dakota in 1979
Deaths 128Fatal crashes 114Per 100,000 —US deaths 51,093
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 1979.
In 1979, 128 people died in 114 fatal crashes in North Dakota.
The death toll fell 29% from 181 in 1978 to 128 in 1979.
North Dakota accounted for 0.3% of the 51,093 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
43% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
30% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1978 and the nation
| Measure | North Dakota 1979 | North Dakota 1978 | United States 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 128 | 181 | 51,093 |
| Fatal crashes | 114 | 148 | 45,223 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 43% | 32% | 39% |
Counties in 1979
Every county with a fatal crash in 1979, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 37 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | 13 | 13 | 6.5 | 88 |
| Williams County | 10 | 10 | 24.5 | 77 |
| Stark County | 4 | 9 | 26.7 | 37 |
| LaMoure County | 5 | 7 | 172.8 | 9 |
| Ward County | 5 | 7 | 10.2 | 62 |
| Barnes County | 5 | 5 | 46.3 | 21 |
| Grand Forks County | 5 | 5 | 6.8 | 62 |
| McKenzie County | 5 | 5 | 33.8 | 79 |
| Morton County | 4 | 5 | 14.6 | 56 |
| Richland County | 4 | 5 | 30.0 | 31 |
| Rolette County | 4 | 5 | 42.8 | 48 |
| McHenry County | 4 | 4 | 77.9 | 18 |
| Walsh County | 3 | 4 | 39.2 | 23 |
| Burleigh County | 3 | 3 | 2.9 | 60 |
| McLean County | 3 | 3 | 30.5 | 27 |
| Mercer County | 3 | 3 | 35.9 | 14 |
| Sheridan County | 3 | 3 | 236.6 | 6 |
| Wells County | 3 | 3 | 78.9 | 4 |
| Cavalier County | 1–2 | 3 | 84.1 | 5 |
| Bottineau County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Dickey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Dunn County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Foster County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 1 |
| Pembina County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Ransom County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 12 |
| Stutsman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 31 |
| Towner County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 7 |
| Adams County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Bowman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Divide County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Griggs County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Logan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
| Mountrail County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 49 |
| Nelson County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 7 |
| Oliver County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Renville County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Sioux County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 17 |
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 1979?
128 people in 114 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1979 file.
Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 1979?
Cass County with 13 deaths in 13 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1979 compare with 1978 in North Dakota?
128 deaths against 181 in 1978 (+-29%). Nationally the 1979 total was 51,093.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1979 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.