States › North Dakota › 1985
North Dakota in 1985
Deaths 90Fatal crashes 77Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,825
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 1985.
In 1985, 90 people died in 77 fatal crashes in North Dakota.
The death toll fell 10% from 100 in 1984 to 90 in 1985.
North Dakota accounted for 0.2% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
55.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
36% of the crashes happened between midnight to 6am; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1984 and the nation
| Measure | North Dakota 1985 | North Dakota 1984 | United States 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 90 | 100 | 43,825 |
| Fatal crashes | 77 | 88 | 39,196 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 56% | 40% | 40% |
Counties in 1985
Every county with a fatal crash in 1985, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 34 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ward County | 10 | 13 | 19.0 | 62 |
| Cass County | 7 | 8 | 4.0 | 88 |
| Burleigh County | 5 | 6 | 5.8 | 60 |
| Williams County | 5 | 5 | 12.3 | 77 |
| Stutsman County | 4 | 5 | 23.2 | 31 |
| Sioux County | 3 | 5 | 134.7 | 17 |
| Grand Forks County | 4 | 4 | 5.4 | 62 |
| Barnes County | 3 | 3 | 27.8 | 21 |
| Benson County | 3 | 3 | 52.1 | 35 |
| Pierce County | 3 | 3 | 77.9 | 9 |
| Richland County | 3 | 3 | 18.0 | 31 |
| Mountrail County | 1–2 | 3 | 31.7 | 49 |
| McKenzie County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 79 |
| McLean County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 27 |
| Ramsey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Emmons County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 7 |
| Stark County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| Steele County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Traill County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Cavalier County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| Dickey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Eddy County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
| Foster County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 1 |
| Golden Valley County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Grant County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Hettinger County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Kidder County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| LaMoure County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| McHenry County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Morton County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 56 |
| Oliver County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Ransom County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 12 |
| Walsh County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 23 |
| Wells County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
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 1985?
90 people in 77 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.
Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 1985?
Ward County with 13 deaths in 10 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1985 compare with 1984 in North Dakota?
90 deaths against 100 in 1984 (+-10%). Nationally the 1985 total was 43,825.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1985 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.