Alden, WI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Alden: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Alden and Polk County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Polk County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
11 of 155 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Polk County compares with Wisconsin
Polk County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Polk County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Polk County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 30.3 | 42.6 | 49.7 | 29% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.46 | 0.46 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 7.2% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 2.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 24.2% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 1.8× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 32.7% | 26.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.9% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.4% | 44.9% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 13.7% | 20.9% | 24.8% | 34% below the state |
Compared with Wisconsin, Polk County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Polk County: 1 in 14 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 7.2%, vs 2.7% in Wisconsin.
Overview
Police reported 155 crashes involving commercial trucks in Polk County since 2015: 71 people were injured and 6 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 26 days.
With 6 truck crashes reported in Alden since 2015, this page uses Polk County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is March with 12.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is May at 4.5%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 48.4% of truck crashes, against 44.9% across Wisconsin.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 11.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 24.2% of truck crashes, compared with 13.4% in Wisconsin.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Alden since 2015: CR-K (1), SR-46 (1) and SR-65 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 11 of the truck crashes here, or 7.1%, compared with 2.7% in Wisconsin.
Route planning tips for Alden fleets
- Review driver schedules for March, the month with the most truck crashes.
- 32.7% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Wisconsin; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 24.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Wisconsin; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Polk County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-K | 1 |
| SR-46 | 1 |
| SR-65 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Polk County) |
|---|---|
| Ush 008 | 21 |
| Ush 063 | 17 |
| Sth 035 | 11 |
| Sth 046 | 10 |
| Cth M | 6 |
| Sth 048 | 6 |
| Cth Jj | 4 |
| SR-008 | 4 |
Alden at a glance
| Population | 3,015 |
| Land area | 55.8 sq mi |
| Density | 54 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 54026) | $95,833 |
| Median home value (ZIP 54026) | $341,317 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Polk 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 | — | 0.9 |
| 2000s | 16 | +39% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 13 | -18% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 15 | +12% | 1.0 |
In the 1990s about 12 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 15. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.5 a year in 2016–19, 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Alden
How many truck crashes happen in Alden?
155 truck crashes have been reported in Polk County since 2015, with 6 deaths and 71 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Alden?
Truck crashes in Polk County peak in March, with 12.3% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Alden?
Since 2015, Polk County has reported 11 garbage-truck crashes, or 7.1% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Alden compared with Wisconsin?
Per 100,000 residents, Polk County has 30.3 truck crashes a year; Wisconsin has 42.6.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Alden?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.