States › North Dakota › 1981
North Dakota in 1981
Deaths 167Fatal crashes 154Per 100,000 —US deaths 49,301
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 1981.
In 1981, 167 people died in 154 fatal crashes in North Dakota.
The death toll rose 11% from 151 in 1980 to 167 in 1981.
North Dakota accounted for 0.3% of the 49,301 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
49.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1980 and the nation
| Measure | North Dakota 1981 | North Dakota 1980 | United States 1981 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 167 | 151 | 49,301 |
| Fatal crashes | 154 | 133 | 44,000 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 49% | 53% | 41% |
Counties in 1981
Every county with a fatal crash in 1981, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 39 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | 13 | 13 | 6.5 | 88 |
| Walsh County | 8 | 10 | 97.9 | 23 |
| Williams County | 8 | 9 | 22.1 | 77 |
| Rolette County | 7 | 8 | 68.4 | 48 |
| Stutsman County | 7 | 8 | 37.1 | 31 |
| McKenzie County | 7 | 7 | 47.4 | 79 |
| Burleigh County | 6 | 7 | 6.8 | 60 |
| Grand Forks County | 6 | 7 | 9.5 | 62 |
| Mercer County | 6 | 7 | 83.9 | 14 |
| Stark County | 6 | 6 | 17.8 | 37 |
| Ward County | 5 | 6 | 8.8 | 62 |
| Barnes County | 5 | 5 | 46.3 | 21 |
| Bottineau County | 5 | 5 | 78.2 | 15 |
| Nelson County | 5 | 5 | 166.3 | 7 |
| Dunn County | 4 | 5 | 124.0 | 18 |
| Benson County | 4 | 4 | 69.5 | 35 |
| Cavalier County | 4 | 4 | 112.1 | 5 |
| Divide County | 4 | 4 | 188.3 | 4 |
| Morton County | 3 | 4 | 11.7 | 56 |
| Billings County | 3 | 3 | 282.2 | 6 |
| McLean County | 3 | 3 | 30.5 | 27 |
| Pembina County | 3 | 3 | 45.5 | 11 |
| Sioux County | 3 | 3 | 80.8 | 17 |
| Wells County | 3 | 3 | 78.9 | 4 |
| Mountrail County | 1–2 | 3 | 31.7 | 49 |
| Traill County | 1–2 | 3 | 37.6 | 13 |
| Bowman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Dickey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| McHenry County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Pierce County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Ramsey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Richland County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 31 |
| Slope County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Steele County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Foster County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 1 |
| Hettinger County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| LaMoure County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Ransom County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 12 |
| Sheridan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
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 1981?
167 people in 154 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1981 file.
Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 1981?
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 1981 compare with 1980 in North Dakota?
167 deaths against 151 in 1980 (+11%). Nationally the 1981 total was 49,301.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1981 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.