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Richland County, North Dakota

Coordinates: 46°16′N 96°57′W / 46.27°N 96.95°W / 46.27; -96.95
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Richland County
Richland County Courthouse in Wahpeton
Map of North Dakota highlighting Richland 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: 46°16′N 96°57′W / 46.27°N 96.95°W / 46.27; -96.95
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 4, 1873 (created)
November 25, 1873 (organized)
Named forMorgan T. Rich
SeatWahpeton
Largest cityWahpeton
Area
 • Total
1,445 sq mi (3,740 km2)
 • Land1,436 sq mi (3,720 km2)
 • Water9.7 sq mi (25 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,529
 • Estimate 
(2023)
16,558 Increase
 • Density11/sq mi (4.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.co.richland.nd.us

Richland County is a county in the far southeast corner of the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,529.[1] Its county seat is Wahpeton.[2]

Richland County is part of the Wahpeton, ND–MN Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Fargo-Wahpeton, ND-MN Combined Statistical Area.

History

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The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with area partitioned from Pembina County. It was named for Morgan T. Rich, who settled on the site of the future Wahpeton in 1869. The county organization was completed on November 25 of that same year. Its boundaries were altered in 1883 and 1885. It has maintained its present configuration since 1885.[3][4]

In 2022, strong winds known as a derecho, more than 70 mph, produced 34 tornadoes, including one that passed through Richland County near LeMars.[5]

Outline map of Richland County, North Dakota, 1897

Geography

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Richland County lies at the southeastern corner of North Dakota. Its eastern boundary line abuts the western boundary line of the state of Minnesota (across the Red River), and its southern boundary line abuts the northern boundary line of the state of South Dakota. The Red River flows northerly along its eastern boundary line on its way to the Hudson Bay. The Wild Rice River flows easterly and then northerly through the county, discharging into the Red River north of Richland County, in Cass County. The Sheyenne River flows northeasterly through the NW corner of the county, also discharging into the Red in Cass County.

The Richland County terrain is primarily flat, with rolling hills in the southwest and northwest. It is largely devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the north and east, with its highest point near its SW corner, at 1,220 ft (370 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 1,445 square miles (3,740 km2), of which 1,436 square miles (3,720 km2) is land and 9.7 square miles (25 km2) (0.7%) is water.[8]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Lakes[6]

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  • Bisek Lake
  • Grass Lake
  • Gullys Slough
  • Kreiser Lake
  • Lueck Lake
  • Moran Lake
  • Park Lake
  • Silver Lake
  • Stacks Slough
  • Swan Lake
  • Willows Pond

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18803,597
189010,751198.9%
190017,38761.7%
191019,65913.1%
192020,8876.2%
193021,0080.6%
194020,519−2.3%
195019,865−3.2%
196018,824−5.2%
197018,089−3.9%
198019,2076.2%
199018,148−5.5%
200017,998−0.8%
201016,321−9.3%
202016,5291.3%
2023 (est.)16,558[9]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 16,529 people, 6,710 households, and 4,174 families in the county.[14] The population density was 11.5 inhabitants per square mile (4.4/km2) There were 7,501 housing units.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 16,321 people, 6,651 households, and 4,171 families in the county. The population density was 11.4 inhabitants per square mile (4.4/km2). There were 7,503 housing units at an average density of 5.2 per square mile (2.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.0% white, 2.0% American Indian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 53.0% were German, 31.2% were Norwegian, 7.0% were Irish, and 2.3% were American.

Of the 6,651 households, 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.3% were non-families, and 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 39.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,131 and the median income for a family was $64,636. Males had a median income of $42,597 versus $28,284 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,342. About 5.2% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

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Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities[6]

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  • Blackmer
  • Enloe
  • Galchutt
  • La Mars
  • Lithia
  • Tyler

Townships

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Politics

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Richland County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Richland County, North Dakota[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,576 67.50% 2,473 29.94% 212 2.57%
2020 5,072 64.93% 2,510 32.13% 230 2.94%
2016 4,767 62.79% 2,064 27.19% 761 10.02%
2012 4,229 55.55% 3,198 42.01% 186 2.44%
2008 3,900 51.57% 3,513 46.45% 150 1.98%
2004 5,264 64.08% 2,821 34.34% 130 1.58%
2000 4,999 62.37% 2,490 31.07% 526 6.56%
1996 3,345 47.32% 2,890 40.88% 834 11.80%
1992 3,873 46.66% 2,688 32.38% 1,740 20.96%
1988 4,670 56.44% 3,523 42.58% 81 0.98%
1984 5,980 65.48% 3,047 33.36% 106 1.16%
1980 5,711 61.17% 2,698 28.90% 928 9.94%
1976 4,991 51.01% 4,592 46.93% 202 2.06%
1972 5,194 60.23% 3,367 39.04% 63 0.73%
1968 4,224 54.38% 3,098 39.89% 445 5.73%
1964 3,425 43.05% 4,525 56.88% 5 0.06%
1960 4,711 54.04% 4,003 45.92% 4 0.05%
1956 4,971 60.96% 3,171 38.89% 12 0.15%
1952 6,022 69.78% 2,541 29.44% 67 0.78%
1948 3,448 48.73% 3,413 48.24% 214 3.02%
1944 4,402 57.74% 3,192 41.87% 30 0.39%
1940 5,102 58.42% 3,584 41.04% 48 0.55%
1936 2,386 31.41% 3,792 49.92% 1,418 18.67%
1932 2,304 28.16% 5,663 69.20% 216 2.64%
1928 4,251 53.89% 3,604 45.68% 34 0.43%
1924 3,235 48.84% 769 11.61% 2,620 39.55%
1920 5,483 79.46% 1,339 19.41% 78 1.13%
1916 2,097 53.25% 1,772 45.00% 69 1.75%
1912 1,034 31.95% 1,380 42.65% 822 25.40%
1908 1,864 54.17% 1,502 43.65% 75 2.18%
1904 2,420 66.50% 1,116 30.67% 103 2.83%
1900 2,067 58.46% 1,399 39.56% 70 1.98%

Education

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School districts include:[16]

Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School is a tribally-controlled school affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  4. ^ "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 4, 2015.
  5. ^ Jackson, William (2024). North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones. Dickinson, ND: Valley Star Publications. p. 104. ISBN 979-8-89480-378-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ a b c "Richland County · North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Richland County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 24, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. ^ "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 February 1, 2015.
  14. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  16. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Richland County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022. - Text list - 2010 map - 2010 text list
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46°16′N 96°57′W / 46.27°N 96.95°W / 46.27; -96.95