ZIP 52631 (Houghton, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 52631: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Lee 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 204 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Lee County compares with Iowa
Lee County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Lee County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Lee County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 55.0 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 19% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 9.2 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 2.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.41 | 0.41 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.0% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 53% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 14.8% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 21% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 13% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 14.8% | 15.1% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.9% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 16.8% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 27% below the state |
Compared with Iowa, Lee County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes.
Lee County at a glance: 9.2 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Iowa: 3.5).
Overview
Police reported 204 crashes involving commercial trucks in Lee County since 2015: 85 people were injured and 18 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 20 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 12.3% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (5.4%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 46.9% of truck crashes, vs 45.4% for Iowa.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 11.3% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 14.8% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Iowa: 18.7%).
Where crashes happen
US-218 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 52631 with 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: CR-J38/LOCUST St (1) and SR-16 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 2 crashes, 1.0% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 52631 fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Lee County.
- Look at alternatives to US-218 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 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 Lee County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-218 | 7 |
| CR-J38/LOCUST St | 1 |
| SR-16 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Lee County) |
|---|---|
| US-218 | 14 |
| US-61 | 11 |
| State 16/Iowa 16 | 6 |
| State 27/Iowa 27 | 4 |
| Us 218 S And Ia 16 | 3 |
| Carbide Ln And Us 61 | 3 |
| 255Th St And Ia 27 | 3 |
| 10Th St Us 218/Main St | 2 |
ZIP 52631 at a glance
| Population | 65 |
| Density | 124 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $107,083 |
| Median home value | $249,023 |
| Home ownership | 100% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Lee 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 | 11 | — | 1.1 |
| 2000s | 20 | +84% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 17 | -14% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 20 | +16% | 2.0 |
In the 1990s about 11 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 20. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 0.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 52631
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 52631?
Since 2015, 204 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Lee County (85 injured, 18 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 52631?
Since 2015, US-218 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 52631: 7.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 52631?
Truck crashes in Lee County peak in February, with 12.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 52631?
Since 2015, Lee County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.0% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 52631 compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
Lee County records 55.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 52631?
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.