States › South Dakota › 1985
South Dakota in 1985
Deaths 130Fatal crashes 109Per 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, 130 people died in 109 fatal crashes in South Dakota.
The death toll fell 9% from 143 in 1984 to 130 in 1985.
South Dakota accounted for 0.3% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
50.5% 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 1984 and the nation
| Measure | South Dakota 1985 | South Dakota 1984 | United States 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 130 | 143 | 43,825 |
| Fatal crashes | 109 | 132 | 39,196 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 50% | 49% | 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. 42 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnehaha County | 13 | 20 | 9.6 | 149 |
| Pennington County | 11 | 12 | 10.3 | 141 |
| Brown County | 7 | 8 | 21.3 | 26 |
| Oglala Lakota County | 6 | 8 | 59.9 | 75 |
| Lincoln County | 4 | 5 | 6.6 | 56 |
| Beadle County | 4 | 4 | 20.6 | 22 |
| Brookings County | 4 | 4 | 11.0 | 24 |
| Meade County | 4 | 4 | 12.9 | 43 |
| Todd County | 4 | 4 | 43.6 | 4 |
| Lawrence County | 3 | 4 | 13.9 | 80 |
| Corson County | 1–2 | 4 | 106.8 | 14 |
| Jackson County | 1–2 | 4 | 146.1 | 30 |
| Brule County | 3 | 3 | 57.0 | 6 |
| Charles Mix County | 3 | 3 | 32.1 | 27 |
| Custer County | 3 | 3 | 32.2 | 31 |
| Hutchinson County | 3 | 3 | 40.5 | 25 |
| Tripp County | 3 | 3 | 52.5 | 13 |
| Butte County | 1–2 | 3 | 27.5 | 18 |
| Yankton County | 1–2 | 3 | 12.8 | 38 |
| Gregory County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Hanson County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 20 |
| Spink County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Hamlin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Miner County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Campbell County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Clark County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| Davison County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Douglas County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Edmunds County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 12 |
| Fall River County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 25 |
| Faulk County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Grant County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Harding County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 10 |
| Hughes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Lake County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 10 |
| Lyman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 21 |
| McCook County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 16 |
| Mellette County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Moody County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Turner County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 19 |
| Union County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 18 |
| Ziebach County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
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 South Dakota in 1985?
130 people in 109 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.
Which county in South Dakota had the most crash deaths in 1985?
Minnehaha County with 20 deaths in 13 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1985 compare with 1984 in South Dakota?
130 deaths against 143 in 1984 (+-9%). 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.