Fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County, Iowa
In 2024, 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, down from 13 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 115 fatal crashes and 118 deaths, the 4th most of 99 counties in Iowa.
Deaths in Pottawattamie County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 13 | 13 |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 |
| 2020 | 13 | 13 |
| 2019 | 12 | 13 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 10 | 12 |
| 2016 | 13 | 13 |
| 2015 | 13 | 13 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Pottawattamie County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pottawattamie County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 21 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 33% of all fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route. 46% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 54% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
Council Bluffs had 33% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 38 of 115.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Council Bluffs 38. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Pottawattamie County
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is May.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 1.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.5 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 5.2 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crash | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 10.4 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan5.2%
- Feb7.0%
- Mar6.1%
- Apr6.1%
- May13.0%
- Jun7.8%
- Jul9.6%
- Aug5.2%
- Sep12.2%
- Oct10.4%
- Nov6.1%
- Dec11.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 37%; a collision with another vehicle in 29%, a pedestrian in 11%, a rollover in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 42 | 37% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 33 | 29% |
| Pedestrian | 13 | 11% |
| Rollover | 13 | 11% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 4.3% |
| Other | 5 | 4.3% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 2.6% |
| Not reported | 1 | 0.9% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County compare with Iowa
The largest difference from Iowa: from 2015 to 2024, 60% of fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County were on rural roads, against 72% across Iowa. Also above the Iowa share: motorcycles and pedestrians. Below it: unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Iowa. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 115 crashes.
| Pottawattamie | Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 60% | 72% | below the Iowa share |
| At or near an intersection | 22% | 27% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 20% | 28% | below the Iowa share |
| A drinking driver | 17% | 25% | below the Iowa share |
| Speeding | 20% | 20% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 5.2% | 7.0% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 50% | 45% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| Hit-and-run | 3.5% | 2.0% | about the same as the Iowa share |
| A motorcycle involved | 26% | 17% | above the Iowa share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 14% | 7.1% | above the Iowa share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County, Iowa
- How many people died in car accidents in Pottawattamie County in 2024?
- 9 people died in 9 fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 2024, down from 13 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Pottawattamie County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Pottawattamie County from 2015 to 2024: 21, with 21 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 4 to 8 pm, with 12 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County involved a drinking driver?
- 20 of 115 fatal crashes in Pottawattamie County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 17%, against 25% across Iowa.
Other counties in Iowa with a page
- Polk County
- Scott County
- Linn County
- Black Hawk County
- Woodbury County
- Johnson County
- Dubuque County
- Lee County
- Webster County
- Dallas County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Warren County
All fatal crashes in Iowa, with every county ranked.
Where the Pottawattamie County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Pottawattamie County (county code 155). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/iowa/pottawattamie-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”