Hamilton County, IA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Hamilton County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
2 of 405 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Hamilton County compares with Iowa
Hamilton County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hamilton County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hamilton County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 230.1 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 3.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.3 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.5% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 76% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 39.1% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 27.9% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.8× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 60.6% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 1.3× the state |
| After dark | 34.6% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 1.5× the state |
Hamilton County sits below Iowa on garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
Hamilton County at a glance: 39.1% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 18.7% across Iowa.
Overview
Since 2015, 405 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Hamilton County. They injured 225 people and killed 16.
That averages about one truck crash every 11 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 18.8% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 4.0%.
November through March accounts for 60.6% of truck crashes here, compared with 45.4% in Iowa.
By time of day, 3–4 pm stands out with 11.9% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 39.1% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in Hamilton County is US-20, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: CR-D20/190TH St (1), CR-KANTOR Ave (1) and I-35 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.5% share (Iowa: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for Hamilton County fleets
- Review driver schedules for December, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to US-20 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 26.3% of truck crashes here, more than Iowa; adjust start times where you can.
- With 39.1% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Iowa), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Hamilton County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Hamilton County) |
|---|---|
| US-20 | 3 |
| CR-D20/190TH St | 1 |
| CR-KANTOR Ave | 1 |
| I-35 | 1 |
| SR-17 | 1 |
| US-69 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hamilton County) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 37 |
| US-20 | 17 |
| Ia 17 | 11 |
| I 35 S, 141.75Mm | 10 |
| Interstate 35/I 35 | 9 |
| Nb Exit Ramp | 7 |
| Ramp 220Th St, E To E To State | 6 |
| Ramp Us 20 W To I 35 N And I 3 | 4 |
Hamilton County at a glance
| Population | 14,856 |
| Land area | 576.7 sq mi |
| Density | 26 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $70,834 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hamilton County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12 | — | 0.7 |
| 2000s | 21 | +80% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 24 | +12% | 0.4 |
| 2020s | 42 | +77% | 1.2 |
In the 1990s about 12 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 42. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Hamilton County
ZIP codes in Hamilton County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Hamilton County
How common are truck crashes in Hamilton County?
Since 2015, 405 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Hamilton County (225 injured, 16 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Hamilton County?
Since 2015, US-20 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Hamilton County: 3.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Hamilton County?
December has the most truck crashes in Hamilton County, 18.8% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Hamilton County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Hamilton County since 2015 (0.5% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in Hamilton County compare with Iowa?
Hamilton County records 230.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Hamilton County?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.