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1989

North Dakota · year

North Dakota in 1989

Deaths 81Fatal crashes 76Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,582

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 1989.

In 1989, 81 people died in 76 fatal crashes in North Dakota.

The death toll fell 22% from 104 in 1988 to 81 in 1989.

North Dakota accounted for 0.2% of the 45,582 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

36.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

32% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1988 and the nation

MeasureNorth Dakota 1989North Dakota 1988United States 1989
Deaths8110445,582
Fatal crashes769240,741
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver37%43%39%

Counties in 1989

Every county with a fatal crash in 1989, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 31 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Burleigh County887.860
Grand Forks County7810.862
Ward County668.862
Morton County5514.656
McKenzie County4533.879
Pembina County4575.911
Cass County442.088
Mountrail County4442.249
Richland County4424.031
McLean County3440.627
Rolette County3325.748
Williams County337.477
Dunn County1–21–2—18
Renville County1–21–2—4
Sargent County1–21–2—9
Bottineau County1–21–2—15
Cavalier County1–21–2—5
Eddy County1–21–2—2
Griggs County1–21–2—3
Kidder County1–21–2—9
Logan County1–21–2—2
McHenry County1–21–2—18
Mercer County1–21–2—14
Nelson County1–21–2—7
Ramsey County1–21–2—14
Ransom County1–21–2—12
Sioux County1–21–2—17
Stark County1–21–2—37
Steele County1–21–2—3
Stutsman County1–21–2—31
Towner County1–21–2—7

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

12am4%
1am4%
2am2.7%
3am1.3%
4am2.7%
5am2.7%
6am2.7%
7am1.3%
8am2.7%
9am2.7%
10am2.7%
11am6.7%
12pm9.3%
1pm6.7%
2pm5.3%
3pm2.7%
4pm4%
5pm4%
6pm9.3%
7pm4%
8pm4%
9pm2.7%
10pm4%
11pm8%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday12%
Tuesday16%
Wednesday13%
Thursday11%
Friday11%
Saturday22%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in North Dakota in 1989?

81 people in 76 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1989 file.

Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 1989?

Burleigh County with 8 deaths in 8 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1989 compare with 1988 in North Dakota?

81 deaths against 104 in 1988 (+-22%). Nationally the 1989 total was 45,582.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1989 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.