ZIP 50006 (Alden, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50006: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Hardin County, 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
4 of 183 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Hardin County compares with Iowa
Hardin County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hardin County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hardin County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 92.2 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 1.3× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.8% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 17% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 22.2% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.5% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.3× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 21% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.7% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.0% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 9% below the state |
Hardin County sits below Iowa on garbage-truck share, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
What stands out in Hardin County: 5.4 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Iowa: 3.5).
Overview
Hardin County has recorded 183 truck crashes since 2015, with 95 people injured and 9 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 24 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 12.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 4.9%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.7% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
The busiest hour is 9–10 am, with 13.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 22.2% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 50006 since 2015: CR-D15 (2), US-20 (2) and SR-359 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 4 of the truck crashes here, or 2.2%, compared with 2.2% in Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50006 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hardin County.
- Morning starts matter: 30.5% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Iowa.
- With 22.2% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Iowa), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Hardin County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-D15 | 2 |
| US-20 | 2 |
| SR-359 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hardin County) |
|---|---|
| US-20 | 27 |
| US-65 | 16 |
| County Highway S56 | 3 |
| County Highway D65 | 3 |
| State 175/Iowa 175 | 3 |
| S027/St Hwy 359 | 3 |
| S027/Co Hwy S27 | 3 |
| 240Th St | 2 |
ZIP 50006 at a glance
| Population | 1,437 |
| Density | 4 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $69,783 |
| Median home value | $123,133 |
| Home ownership | 74% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hardin 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 | 3 | — | 0.3 |
| 2000s | 11 | +263% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 16 | +43% | 0.6 |
| 2020s | 14 | -13% | 0.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 3 to 14. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50006
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 50006?
Hardin County has had 183 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 95 people and killing 9.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 50006?
The worst month is January: 12.0% of truck crashes in Hardin County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 50006?
4 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Hardin County since 2015, 2.2% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 50006 compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
Hardin County records 92.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 50006?
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.