Benson County, North Dakota
Benson County, North Dakota | |
---|---|
Benson County Courthouse | |
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota | |
North Dakota's location within the U.S. | |
Founded | 9 March 1883 (created) 4 June 1884 (organized) |
Named for | Bertil W. Benson |
Seat | Minnewaukan |
Largest community | Fort Totten |
Area | |
• Total | 1,439 sq mi (3,727 km2) |
• Land | 1,389 sq mi (3,597 km2) |
• Water | 51 sq mi (132 km2), 3.5% |
Population (est.) | |
• (2017) | 6,936 |
• Density | 5.0/sq mi (1.9/km2) |
Congressional district | At-large |
Time zone | Central: UTC−6/−5 |
Website | www.bensoncountynd.com |
Benson County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 6,660.[1] Its county seat is Minnewaukan.[2] The county was created on 9 March 1883[3] by the Dakota Territory legislature, and was named for Bertil W. Benson, a Dakota Territory legislator at the time. The county government was organized on 4 June 1884, and its boundary lines were altered by two legislative actions in 1885.[4]
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve and much of the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation are located within the county.
Contents
1 Geography
1.1 Adjacent counties
1.2 Major highways
1.3 Protected areas
1.4 Lakes[5]
2 Demographics
2.1 2000 census
2.2 2010 census
2.3 Population by decade
3 Communities
3.1 Cities
3.2 Census-designated place
3.3 Unincorporated communities
3.4 Townships
4 Politics
5 See also
6 References
Geography
Much of the east boundary line of Benson County is delineated by the shore of Devils Lake, a closed-capture lake which would spill into the Sheyenne River in an overflow condition. The North Fork Sheyenne River flows southeasterly through the lower SW portion of the county.
The terrain of Benson County consists of rolling hills dotted with lakes, ponds and drainages.[5] The terrain slopes to the east, and its highest point is on the lower portion of its west boundary line, at 1,624' (495m) ASL.[6] The county has a total area of 1,439 square miles (3,730 km2), of which 1,389 square miles (3,600 km2) is land and 51 square miles (130 km2) (3.5%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties
Towner County – north
Ramsey County – northeast
Nelson County – east
Eddy County – southeast
Wells County – southwest
Pierce County – west
Major highways
U.S. Highway 2
U.S. Highway 281
North Dakota Highway 19
North Dakota Highway 20
North Dakota Highway 57
Protected areas
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Grahams Island State Park (part)- Pleasant Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Silver Lake National Wildlife Refuge (part)- Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
- Volk National Wildlife Refuge[5]
- Wood Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Wurgler National Wildlife Refuge[5]
Lakes[5]
- Broken Bone Lake
- Cranberry Lake
- Free Peoples Lake
- Horseshoe Lake
- Lake Murie
- Lake Yri
- Long Lake
- Sand Lake
- Shin Bone Lake
- Spring Lake
- Stink Lake
- Stony Lake
- Wood Lake
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1890 | 2,460 | — | |
1900 | 8,320 | 238.2% | |
1910 | 12,681 | 52.4% | |
1920 | 13,095 | 3.3% | |
1930 | 13,327 | 1.8% | |
1940 | 12,629 | −5.2% | |
1950 | 10,675 | −15.5% | |
1960 | 9,435 | −11.6% | |
1970 | 8,245 | −12.6% | |
1980 | 7,944 | −3.7% | |
1990 | 7,198 | −9.4% | |
2000 | 6,964 | −3.3% | |
2010 | 6,660 | −4.4% | |
Est. 2017 | 6,936 | [8] | 4.1% |
US Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2017[1] 2017[13] |
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 6,964 people, 2,328 households, and 1,701 families in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 2,932 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was mostly White (50.85%) and Native American (48.05%). In addition, 0.10% are Black/African American, 0.01% are Asian, 0.01% are Pacific Islander, 0.16% are from other races, and 0.82% are from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.2% were of Norwegian and 14.8% German ancestry.
There were 2,328 households out of which 38.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 16.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.48.
The county population contained 36.10% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,688, and the median income for a family was $31,558. Males had a median income of $23,056 versus $17,862 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,509. About 24.40% of families and 29.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.90% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,660 people, 2,233 households, and 1,628 families in the county.[14] The population density was 4.8 inhabitants per square mile (1.9/km2). There were 2,950 housing units at an average density of 2.1 per square mile (0.81/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 55.0% American Indian, 43.4% white, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 22.0% were Norwegian, 18.0% were German, 5.0% were Irish, and 0.6% were American.[16]
Of the 2,233 households, 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.1% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.46. The median age was 31.6 years.[14]
The median income for a household in the county was $30,479 and the median income for a family was $34,597. Males had a median income of $31,729 versus $25,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,545. About 26.1% of families and 35.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.3% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.[17]
Population by decade
Communities
Cities
- Brinsmade
- Esmond
- Knox
- Leeds
- Maddock
Minnewaukan (county seat)- Oberon
- Warwick
- York
Census-designated place
- Fort Totten
Unincorporated communities
- Baker
- Comstock
- Fillmore
- Flora
- Harlow
- Hesper
- Isabel
- Josephine
- Lallie
- Niles
- Pleasant Lake
- Saint Michael
- Tilden
- Tokio
Townships
- Albert
- Arne
- Aurora
- Beaver
- Broe
- Butte Valley
- East Fork
- Eldon
- Esmond
- Hesper
- Impark
- Iowa
- Irvine
- Isabel
- Knox
- Lake Ibsen
- Lallie
- Leeds
- Lohnes
- McClellan
- Minco
- Mission
- Normania
- North Viking
- Oberon
- Pleasant Lake
- Rich Valley
- Riggin
- Rock
- South Viking
- Twin Lake
- Twin Tree
- Warwick
- West Antelope
- West Bay
- Wood Lake
- York
Politics
Typical of many counties in the state where a significant share of the population is Native American, Benson County leans Democratic in presidential elections. No Republican candidate has won the majority of the county's votes since Ronald Reagan in 1984. However, George W. Bush in 2000 & Donald Trump in 2016 both won a plurality of the county's votes.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 46.2% 929 | 41.9% 842 | 11.9% 240 |
2012 | 40.2% 868 | 57.3% 1,235 | 2.5% 54 |
2008 | 32.6% 773 | 66.1% 1,569 | 1.4% 32 |
2004 | 44.6% 1,002 | 53.3% 1,196 | 2.1% 48 |
2000 | 49.0% 1,055 | 44.2% 952 | 6.8% 147 |
1996 | 39.1% 850 | 48.8% 1,059 | 12.1% 263 |
1992 | 33.3% 874 | 42.9% 1,126 | 23.8% 625 |
1988 | 43.4% 1,316 | 55.8% 1,691 | 0.8% 24 |
1984 | 51.4% 1,729 | 47.6% 1,599 | 1.0% 35 |
1980 | 59.9% 2,149 | 31.2% 1,119 | 8.9% 319 |
1976 | 45.3% 1,689 | 53.0% 1,973 | 1.7% 63 |
1972 | 55.1% 2,050 | 43.9% 1,635 | 1.0% 36 |
1968 | 46.9% 1,707 | 48.6% 1,772 | 4.5% 164 |
1964 | 36.7% 1,489 | 63.2% 2,566 | 0.1% 5 |
1960 | 50.8% 2,259 | 49.1% 2,181 | 0.1% 3 |
1956 | 55.7% 2,340 | 44.0% 1,851 | 0.3% 12 |
1952 | 69.6% 3,192 | 29.5% 1,353 | 0.9% 39 |
1948 | 44.3% 1,920 | 51.2% 2,216 | 4.5% 195 |
1944 | 43.0% 1,726 | 56.4% 2,261 | 0.6% 23 |
1940 | 45.9% 2,485 | 53.5% 2,898 | 0.7% 37 |
1936 | 19.0% 1,020 | 62.3% 3,343 | 18.7% 1,000 |
1932 | 23.8% 1,170 | 74.2% 3,650 | 2.0% 97 |
1928 | 53.8% 2,621 | 45.0% 2,194 | 1.2% 57 |
1924 | 45.0% 1,870 | 5.9% 246 | 49.1% 2,040 |
1920 | 81.1% 3,540 | 15.6% 680 | 3.3% 145 |
1916 | 53.3% 1,210 | 40.6% 922 | 6.1% 138 |
1912 | 26.1% 515 | 30.1% 594 | 43.7% 862 |
1908 | 67.8% 1,363 | 27.5% 553 | 4.7% 94 |
1904 | 85.6% 1,111 | 11.0% 143 | 3.4% 44 |
1900 | 75.5% 1,084 | 22.2% 319 | 2.3% 33 |
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Benson County, North Dakota
References
^ ab "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2013..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
^ Another source shows the county's creation in 1879: ND Government - State History/Benson County (accessed 13 February 2019)
^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
^ abcd Benson County ND Google Maps (accessed 13 February 2019)
^ "Find an Altitude" Google Maps - Benson County ND (accessed 13 February 2019)
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 13 February 2019.
^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ "QuickFacts. Benson County, North Dakota". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
^ abc "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
Coordinates: 48°04′N 99°22′W / 48.07°N 99.36°W / 48.07; -99.36