ZIP 51012 (Cherokee, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 51012: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Cherokee 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
2 of 153 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cherokee County compares with Iowa
Cherokee County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cherokee County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cherokee County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 114.6 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.7× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 60% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.62 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 1.5× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.4% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 38% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 17.0% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 9% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 32.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.4× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.9% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 28% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.3% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 15.7% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 32% below the state |
Cherokee County sits below Iowa on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Iowa on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am).
Cherokee County at a glance: 1.4 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 3.5 in Iowa.
Overview
Cherokee County has recorded 153 truck crashes since 2015, with 93 people injured and 3 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 27 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
November has the most truck crashes, 12.4% of the yearly total, while June has the fewest (3.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 48.3% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
The busiest hour is 9–10 am, with 9.8% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 17.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Iowa: 18.7%).
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 51012 since 2015: US-59 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 2 of the truck crashes here, or 1.3%, compared with 2.2% in Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 51012 fleets
- Review driver schedules for November, the month with the most truck crashes.
- 32.6% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Iowa; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 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 Cherokee County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-59 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cherokee County) |
|---|---|
| US-59 | 17 |
| Ia 3 | 8 |
| State 3/Iowa 3 | 8 |
| L036/D Ave | 4 |
| L051/L Ave | 4 |
| Main St | 3 |
| M021/W Ave | 3 |
| F Ave | 3 |
ZIP 51012 at a glance
| Population | 6,311 |
| Density | 16 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $69,531 |
| Median home value | $150,266 |
| Home ownership | 69% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cherokee 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 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 8 | +119% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 13 | +69% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 14 | +8% | 0.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 3 a year in the 1990s and 14 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.0 a year in 2016–19 and 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 51012
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 51012?
Cherokee County has had 153 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 93 people and killing 3.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 51012?
November has the most truck crashes in Cherokee County, 12.4% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 51012?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Cherokee County since 2015 (1.3% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 51012 compared with Iowa?
Per 100,000 residents, Cherokee County has 114.6 truck crashes a year; Iowa has 68.1.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 51012?
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.