States › North Dakota › 2020
North Dakota in 2020
Deaths 100Fatal crashes 96Per 100,000 12.8US deaths 39,007
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 2020.
In 2020, 100 people died in 96 fatal crashes in North Dakota, 12.8 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.8 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2019 (100) and 2020 (100).
North Dakota accounted for 0.3% of the 39,007 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
39.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (28%).
38% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2019 and the nation
| Measure | North Dakota 2020 | North Dakota 2019 | United States 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 100 | 100 | 39,007 |
| Fatal crashes | 96 | 91 | 35,935 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 12.8 | 13.1 | 11.8 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 40% | 41% | 27% |
Counties in 2020
Every county with a fatal crash in 2020, 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.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | 9 | 11 | 5.5 | 88 |
| Morton County | 8 | 8 | 23.4 | 56 |
| Stark County | 8 | 8 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Ward County | 8 | 8 | 11.7 | 62 |
| Williams County | 7 | 8 | 19.6 | 77 |
| Burleigh County | 7 | 7 | 6.8 | 60 |
| Rolette County | 6 | 6 | 51.3 | 48 |
| McKenzie County | 5 | 6 | 40.6 | 79 |
| Grand Forks County | 5 | 5 | 6.8 | 62 |
| Stutsman County | 4 | 4 | 18.6 | 31 |
| Benson County | 3 | 3 | 52.1 | 35 |
| Golden Valley County | 3 | 3 | 167.1 | 6 |
| Sargent County | 3 | 3 | 80.9 | 9 |
| Bottineau County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| LaMoure County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Barnes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 21 |
| Bowman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Dunn County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Eddy County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
| Kidder County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Logan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
| McHenry County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Mercer County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Oliver County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Pembina County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Pierce County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Ransom County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 12 |
| Richland County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 31 |
| Traill County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| 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
Road type
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in North Dakota in 2020?
100 people in 96 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2020 file, or 12.8 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 2020?
Cass County with 11 deaths in 9 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2020 compare with 2019 in North Dakota?
100 deaths against 100 in 2019 (0%). Nationally the 2020 total was 39,007.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2020 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.