Grand Forks County, North Dakota

Grand Forks County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, its population was 73,170,[1] making it the third-most populous county in North Dakota. Its county seat and largest community is Grand Forks.[2]

Grand Forks County
County
Grand Forks County Courthouse
Grand Forks County Courthouse
Map of North Dakota highlighting Grand Forks County
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°55′N 97°27′W
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 4, 1873 (created)
March 2, 1875 (organized)
SeatGrand Forks
Largest cityGrand Forks
Area
 • Total1,440 sq mi (3,700 km2)
 • Land1,436 sq mi (3,720 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total73,170
 • Estimate 
(2022)
72,413 Decrease
 • Density51/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.gfcounty.nd.gov

History

Using territory annexed from Pembina County, the Dakota Territory legislature created Grand Forks County on January 4, 1873. Its governing structure was not established at that time, nor was the territory attached to another county for administrative and judicial purposes. The government was organized on March 2, 1875.

The county's boundaries were altered in 1875, 1881, and 1883. It has retained its present boundary since 1883.[3][4]

Grand Forks County is included in the Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Grand Forks County lies on the east side of North Dakota. Its eastern boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota (across the Red River). The Red River flows northward along the county's east border, on its way to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. The Forest River flows eastward and northward across the upper western part of the county.

The terrain of Grand Forks County consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around urban areas.[5] The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is a hill at its southwestern corner, at 1,450 ft (440 m) ASL.[6] The county has a total area of 1,440 square miles (3,700 km2), of which 1,436 square miles (3,720 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.2%) is water.[7]

The University of North Dakota has established a Field Biology Station on Forest River, at the county's northern border. In 2013 it partnered with ND Game & Fish Department to establish a 160-acre (0.65 km2) wildlife management area at the station, to monitor whitetail deer activity in the forest.[8] The field station is tasked with identifying plants native and endemic to the area. A total of 498 plants have been collected at the Forest River Biology Station and Wildlife Management Area.[9]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[5]

Lakes[5]
  • Fordville Dam
  • Larimore Dam
  • Smith Lakes

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18806,248—
189018,357193.8%
190024,45933.2%
191027,88814.0%
192028,7953.3%
193031,95611.0%
194034,5188.0%
195039,44814.3%
196048,67723.4%
197061,10225.5%
198066,1008.2%
199070,6836.9%
200066,109−6.5%
201066,8611.1%
202073,1709.4%
2022 (est.)72,413[10]−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 73,170 people, 33,428 households, and 31,152 families in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 66,861 people, 27,417 households, and 15,215 families in the county. The population density was 46.5 inhabitants per square mile (18.0/km2). There were 29,344 housing units at an average density of 20.4 units per square mile (7.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.3% white, 2.5% American Indian, 2.0% black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 34.1% were German, 33.8% were Norwegian, 9.5% were Irish, 5.8% were Polish, 5.3% were English, and 2.9% were American.

Of the 27,417 households, 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.5% were non-families, and 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 29.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,242 and the median income for a family was $65,804. Males had a median income of $40,622 versus $31,633 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,276. About 8.2% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

Communities
The new Grand Forks County Office Building in Grand Forks, near historic Grand Forks County Courthouse

Cities

Census-designated places

Other communities[5]

Townships
  • Agnes
  • Allendale
  • Americus
  • Arvilla
  • Avon
  • Bentru
  • Blooming
  • Brenna
  • Chester
  • Elkmount
  • Elm Grove
  • Fairfield
  • Falconer
  • Ferry
  • Gilby
  • Grace
  • Grand Forks
  • Hegton
  • Inkster
  • Johnstown
  • Lakeville
  • Larimore
  • Levant
  • Lind
  • Logan Center
  • Loretta
  • Mekinock
  • Michigan
  • Moraine
  • Niagara
  • Northwood
  • Oakville
  • Pleasant View
  • Plymouth
  • Rye
  • Strabane
  • Turtle River
  • Union
  • Walle
  • Washington
  • Wheatfield
Township Numbers and Range Numbers[15]
Range 56 Range 55 Range 54 Range 53 Range 52 Range 51 Range 50 Range 49
Township 154 Elkmount Inkster Strabane Johnstown Levant Turtle River Turte River
Township 153 Plymouth Agnes Wheatfield Gilby Lakeville Ferry Ferry
Township 152 Niagara Elm Grove Hegton Mekinock Blooming Rye Falconer
Township 151 Moraine Larimore Arvilla Chester Oakville Brenna Grand Forks
Township 150 Logan Center Grace Avon Pleasant View Fairfield Allendale Walle Walle
Township 149 Loretta Lind Northwood Washington Union Micbigan Americus Bentru

Politics

Like all parts of North Dakota other than areas with reservations, Grand Forks County voters historically and currently vote Republican at the presidential level. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. However, the large student population has kept margins closer in recent elections.

United States presidential election results for Grand Forks County, North Dakota[16][17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 16,987 54.85% 12,880 41.59% 1,105 3.57%
2016 16,340 53.81% 10,851 35.74% 3,174 10.45%
2012 15,060 50.15% 14,032 46.73% 937 3.12%
2008 14,520 46.34% 16,104 51.40% 709 2.26%
2004 17,298 56.77% 12,646 41.50% 526 1.73%
2000 15,875 55.93% 10,593 37.32% 1,917 6.75%
1996 11,606 44.92% 11,376 44.03% 2,854 11.05%
1992 13,705 44.06% 10,930 35.14% 6,469 20.80%
1988 14,801 53.76% 12,494 45.38% 236 0.86%
1984 15,898 60.70% 10,050 38.37% 243 0.93%
1980 14,257 57.65% 6,997 28.29% 3,477 14.06%
1976 13,820 52.71% 11,545 44.03% 853 3.25%
1972 13,361 56.92% 9,416 40.11% 698 2.97%
1968 9,802 52.00% 7,695 40.82% 1,352 7.17%
1964 7,367 40.53% 10,740 59.09% 68 0.37%
1960 10,997 56.85% 8,341 43.12% 5 0.03%
1956 10,289 62.17% 6,231 37.65% 30 0.18%
1952 10,939 65.65% 5,639 33.84% 84 0.50%
1948 6,374 46.23% 6,996 50.74% 419 3.04%
1944 5,668 42.19% 7,707 57.37% 59 0.44%
1940 7,043 45.42% 8,396 54.15% 67 0.43%
1936 4,312 29.64% 9,222 63.39% 1,015 6.98%
1932 5,090 39.46% 7,579 58.75% 231 1.79%
1928 8,024 64.86% 4,300 34.76% 47 0.38%
1924 6,690 62.81% 943 8.85% 3,018 28.34%
1920 7,646 74.00% 2,527 24.46% 159 1.54%
1916 2,159 41.94% 2,814 54.66% 175 3.40%
1912 955 23.88% 1,492 37.31% 1,552 38.81%
1908 2,740 57.41% 1,750 36.66% 283 5.93%
1904 2,807 73.16% 828 21.58% 202 5.26%
1900 2,603 61.33% 1,532 36.10% 109 2.57%

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  4. "County History". North Dakota.gov. The State of North Dakota. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  5. Grand Forks County ND Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)
  6. ""Find an Altitude/Grand Forks County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  8. "Grand Forks Herald" (June 22, 2017)
  9. The checklist of vascular plants of Forest River Biology Station and Wildlife Management Area, Grand Forks county, North Dakota
  10. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  11. "US Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  13. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  15. "Earth Point".
  16. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  17. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,327 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 180 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 45 votes.

47.92°N 97.45°W / 47.92; -97.45

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