States › North Dakota › 2021
North Dakota in 2021
Deaths 101Fatal crashes 85Per 100,000 13.0US deaths 43,230
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 2021.
In 2021, 101 people died in 85 fatal crashes in North Dakota, 13.0 deaths per 100,000 residents against 13.0 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2020 (100) and 2021 (101).
North Dakota accounted for 0.2% of the 43,230 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
32.9% 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 (46%).
33% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2020 and the nation
| Measure | North Dakota 2021 | North Dakota 2020 | United States 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 101 | 100 | 43,230 |
| Fatal crashes | 85 | 96 | 39,785 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 13.0 | 12.8 | 13.0 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 33% | 40% | 26% |
Counties in 2021
Every county with a fatal crash in 2021, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 30 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolette County | 10 | 12 | 102.6 | 48 |
| Cass County | 9 | 11 | 5.5 | 88 |
| Burleigh County | 8 | 8 | 7.8 | 60 |
| Grand Forks County | 6 | 8 | 10.8 | 62 |
| Mountrail County | 4 | 8 | 84.4 | 49 |
| Morton County | 5 | 7 | 20.5 | 56 |
| Williams County | 4 | 5 | 12.3 | 77 |
| McKenzie County | 4 | 4 | 27.1 | 79 |
| McHenry County | 3 | 4 | 77.9 | 18 |
| Benson County | 1–2 | 4 | 69.5 | 35 |
| Richland County | 3 | 3 | 18.0 | 31 |
| Stark County | 3 | 3 | 8.9 | 37 |
| Ward County | 3 | 3 | 4.4 | 62 |
| Dunn County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| McLean County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 27 |
| Sioux County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 17 |
| Walsh County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 23 |
| Adams County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Barnes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 21 |
| Billings County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Bottineau County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Dickey County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Kidder County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| McIntosh County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
| Mercer County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Sargent County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 9 |
| Sheridan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Steele County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 3 |
| Stutsman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 31 |
| Traill County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
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 2021?
101 people in 85 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2021 file, or 13.0 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in North Dakota had the most crash deaths in 2021?
Rolette County with 12 deaths in 10 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2021 compare with 2020 in North Dakota?
101 deaths against 100 in 2020 (+1%). Nationally the 2021 total was 43,230.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2021 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.