ZIP 56209 (Atwater, MN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 56209: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Kandiyohi 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
7 of 292 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Kandiyohi County compares with Minnesota
Kandiyohi County against Minnesota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Kandiyohi County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Kandiyohi County | Minnesota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 56.8 | 39.0 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 2.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.37 | 0.49 | 1.5× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.5% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 11% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 20.1% | 25.6% | 6.2% | 21% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.9% | 27.0% | 23.7% | 15% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.4% | 19.1% | 13.8% | 46% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.0% | 46.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 20.4% | 20.3% | 24.8% | same |
Kandiyohi County sits below Minnesota on garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
The headline for Kandiyohi County: 6.5 deaths for every 100 truck crashes, against 3.0 across Minnesota.
Overview
Police reported 292 crashes involving commercial trucks in Kandiyohi County since 2015: 155 people were injured and 21 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 14 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is October with 12.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 4.8%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.0% of truck crashes, vs 46.2% for Minnesota.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 9.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 20.1% of truck crashes, compared with 25.6% in Minnesota.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 56209 since 2015 were spread across roads: US-12 (3) and SR-4 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 7 crashes, 2.4% of the total, against 2.8% across Minnesota.
Route planning tips for ZIP 56209 fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- 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 Kandiyohi County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-12 | 3 |
| SR-4 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Kandiyohi County) |
|---|---|
| Mnth 23 | 38 |
| Usth 71 | 15 |
| Usth 12 | 13 |
| 195Th Ave Se | 8 |
| 195Th St Se | 8 |
| 30Th St Sw | 8 |
| Hwy | 7 |
| 1St St | 6 |
ZIP 56209 at a glance
| Population | 2,570 |
| Density | 10 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $86,118 |
| Median home value | $233,756 |
| Home ownership | 83% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Kandiyohi 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 | 4 | — | 1.1 |
| 2000s | 22 | +458% | 1.5 |
| 2010s | 25 | +13% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 25 | +2% | 2.2 |
In the 1990s about 4 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 25. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.2 a year in 2016–19 and 2.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 56209
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 56209?
292 truck crashes have been reported in Kandiyohi County since 2015, with 21 deaths and 155 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 56209?
Truck crashes in Kandiyohi County peak in October, with 12.7% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 56209?
Garbage trucks were involved in 7 reported crashes in Kandiyohi County since 2015 (2.4% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 56209 compare with Minnesota?
Per 100,000 residents, Kandiyohi County has 56.8 truck crashes a year; Minnesota has 39.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 56209?
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.