ZIP 79021 (Cotton Center, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 79021: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Hale 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
1 of 250 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Hale County compares with Texas
Hale County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hale County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hale County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 72.3 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.8 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.55 | 0.58 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.4% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 61% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 6.1% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 3.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.3% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 10% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.5% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 15% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 35.9% | 40.8% | 41.9% | 12% below the state |
| After dark | 22.9% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 15% below the state |
Compared with Texas, Hale County is lower on garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Hale County: 6.1% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 1.7% across Texas.
Overview
Hale County has recorded 250 truck crashes since 2015, with 141 people injured and 13 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 16 days.
When crashes happen
August has the most truck crashes, 12.8% of the yearly total, while March has the fewest (5.2%).
November through March accounts for 35.9% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.8% in Texas.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 8.4% of truck crashes.
6.1% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 1.7% across Texas.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 79021 since 2015: Fm 179 (1) and I-27 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 1 crash, 0.4% of the total, against 1.1% across Texas.
Route planning tips for ZIP 79021 fleets
- Build extra time into August routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- 6.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Texas; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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.
Reporting was incomplete in 2022, so those years are greyed out and left out of rates and comparisons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Hale County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| Fm 179 | 1 |
| I-27 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hale County) |
|---|---|
| I-27 | 12 |
| Olton Rd | 8 |
| US-70 | 7 |
| Dimmitt Rd | 4 |
| W 300 5Th St | 4 |
| S 400 Columbia St | 3 |
| E 1100 5Th St | 2 |
| E 500 5 St | 2 |
ZIP 79021 at a glance
| Population | 46 |
| Density | 2 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $51,094 |
| Home ownership | 24% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hale 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 | 20 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 20 | +1% | 0.8 |
| 2010s | 22 | +5% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 24 | +10% | 1.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 20 a year in the 1990s and 24 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 79021
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 79021?
Since 2015, 250 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Hale County (141 injured, 13 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 79021?
August has the most truck crashes in Hale County, 12.8% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 79021?
Garbage trucks were involved in 1 reported crash in Hale County since 2015 (0.4% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 79021 compared with Texas?
The yearly rate is 72.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Hale County, vs 62.9 for Texas.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 79021?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
Crash reporting to FMCSA was incomplete in 2022; those years are greyed out and left out of rates. 2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.