Billings County, North Dakota

County in North Dakota, United States

U.S. county in North Dakota

Billings County

U.S. county

Billings County Courthouse in Medora, North Dakota

Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota

North Dakota's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  North Dakota
Founded| February 10, 1879 (created)
May 4, 1886 (organized)
Named for| Frederick H. Billings
Seat| Medora
Largest city| Medora
Area

• Total| 1,153 sq mi (2,990 km2)
• Land| 1,149 sq mi (2,980 km2)
• Water| 4.6 sq mi (12 km2)  0.4%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 945
• Estimate

(2021)

| 955
• Density| 0.82/sq mi (0.32/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| At-large
Website| www.billingscountynd.gov

Billings County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 945,[1] making it the second-least populous county in North Dakota. Its county seat and only incorporated place is Medora.[2]

The Territorial legislature authorized Billings County on February 10, 1879, naming it for Northern Pacific Railway president Frederick H. Billings. It was organized on May 4, 1886. The original county boundary was significantly altered since its creation, by actions in 1883, 1885, 1887, 1896, 1901 and 1904. Its most significant alterations came in 1907 (Bowman County partitioned off), 1912 (Golden Valley County partitioned off), and 1914 (Slope County partitioned off).[3][4]

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Major highways
* 1.2 Adjacent counties
* 1.3 Protected areas
* 2 Demographics
* 2.1 2000 census
* 2.2 2010 census
* 2.3 Population by decade
* 3 Politics
* 4 Recreation
* 5 Communities
* 5.1 City
* 5.2 Unorganized Territories
* 5.3 Unincorporated communities
* 6 See also
* 7 Notes
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## Geography

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The Little Missouri River flows northward through the western portion of the county. Bullion Creek flows eastward into the southwestern corner of the county to discharge into the Little Missouri River.

Billings County terrain consists of rugged semi-arid hills in its western portion, giving way to more level ground in the east.[5] The terrain slopes to the east and south, with its highest terrain along its west boundary line, at 2,523' (769m) ASL.[6]

Billings County has a total area of 1,153 square miles (2,990 km2), of which 1,149 square miles (2,980 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (0.4%) is water.[7] The South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies in the central part of the county, just north of Medora.

### Major highways

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* Interstate 94
* U.S. Highway 85

### Adjacent counties

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* McKenzie County – north
* Dunn County – northeast
* Stark County – east
* Slope County – south
* Golden Valley County – west

### Protected areas

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* Little Missouri National Grassland (part)
* Sully Creek State Park
* Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit)[8]

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1880| 1,323| | —
1890| 170| | −87.2%
1900| 975| | 473.5%
1910| 10,186| | 944.7%
1920| 3,126| | −69.3%
1930| 3,140| | 0.4%
1940| 2,531| | −19.4%
1950| 1,777| | −29.8%
1960| 1,513| | −14.9%
1970| 1,198| | −20.8%
1980| 1,138| | −5.0%
1990| 1,108| | −2.6%
2000| 888| | −19.9%
2010| 783| | −11.8%
2020| 945| | 20.7%
2021 (est.)| 955| | 1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]
[a]

### 2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, there were 888 people, 366 households, and 255 families in the county. The population density was 0.79 people per square mile (0.31/km2). There were 529 housing units at an average density of 0.45 per square mile (0.18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.96% White, 0.11% Native American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.2% were of German, 17.5% Ukrainian, 8.2% Norwegian and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 366 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 112.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,667, and the median income for a family was $35,750. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,186. About 10.7% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 783 people, 358 households, and 223 families in the county.[13] The population density was 0.7 inhabitants per square mile (0.27/km2). There were 484 housing units at an average density of 0.4 per square mile (0.15/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.6% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 40.6% were German, 19.1% were Ukrainian, 17.7% were Norwegian, 9.3% were Irish, 7.4% were Russian, 5.0% were English, and 0.9% were American.[15]

Of the 358 households, 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 1.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.7% were non-families, and 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age was 48.6 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $51,923 and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $46,806 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,666. About 6.8% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.[16]

### Population by decade

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## Politics

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Billings County voters have been traditionally Republican. In each of the last five elections (as of 2016) the Republican candidate has received over seventy percent of the county's vote.[17] However, it has some third party or independent interest. Billings county gave Ross Perot over twenty percent of the vote in his 1992 and 1996 campaigns.[18][19] It gave Pat Buchanan approximately six percent when he ran as the Reform Party's candidate in 2000.[20]

United States presidential election results for Billings County, North Dakota[21] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 541  | 85.20% | 72  | 11.34%  | 22  | 3.46%
2016 | 495  | 81.82% | 59  | 9.75%  | 51  | 8.43%
2012 | 472  | 81.66% | 89  | 15.40%  | 17  | 2.94%
2008 | 375  | 75.15% | 114  | 22.85%  | 10  | 2.00%
2004 | 449  | 79.61% | 99  | 17.55%  | 16  | 2.84%
2000 | 394  | 75.05% | 82  | 15.62%  | 49  | 9.33%
1996 | 281  | 55.42% | 116  | 22.88%  | 110  | 21.70%
1992 | 279  | 41.15% | 123  | 18.14%  | 276  | 40.71%
1988 | 437  | 66.31% | 211  | 32.02%  | 11  | 1.67%
1984 | 505  | 77.34% | 133  | 20.37%  | 15  | 2.30%
1980 | 524  | 76.05% | 122  | 17.71%  | 43  | 6.24%
1976 | 351  | 51.32% | 285  | 41.67%  | 48  | 7.02%
1972 | 509  | 69.82% | 192  | 26.34%  | 28  | 3.84%
1968 | 395  | 61.91% | 174  | 27.27%  | 69  | 10.82%
1964 | 340  | 49.42%  | 348  | 50.58% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 368  | 47.92%  | 400  | 52.08% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 437  | 63.43% | 248  | 35.99%  | 4  | 0.58%
1952 | 674  | 82.00% | 143  | 17.40%  | 5  | 0.61%
1948 | 372  | 50.54% | 311  | 42.26%  | 53  | 7.20%
1944 | 354  | 62.54% | 209  | 36.93%  | 3  | 0.53%
1940 | 663  | 62.08% | 404  | 37.83%  | 1  | 0.09%
1936 | 329  | 26.70%  | 729  | 59.17% | 174  | 14.12%
1932 | 295  | 27.34%  | 760  | 70.44% | 24  | 2.22%
1928 | 458  | 52.22% | 412  | 46.98%  | 7  | 0.80%
1924 | 421  | 48.34% | 32  | 3.67%  | 418  | 47.99%
1920 | 787  | 91.51% | 61  | 7.09%  | 12  | 1.40%
1916 | 306  | 49.12% | 276  | 44.30%  | 41  | 6.58%
1912 | 671  | 35.33% | 547  | 28.80%  | 681  | 35.86%
1908 | 768  | 73.70% | 236  | 22.65%  | 38  | 3.65%
1904 | 256  | 85.05% | 37  | 12.29%  | 8  | 2.66%
1900 | 158  | 74.18% | 51  | 23.94%  | 4  | 1.88%

## Recreation

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The Bully Pulpit Golf Course is located three miles south of Medora and the Maah Daah Hey Trail single track non-motorized trail starts 30 miles south of Medora.

## Communities

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### City

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* Medora (county seat)

### Unorganized Territories

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There are no townships in Billings County, but the United States Census Bureau divides the county into two unorganized territories:

* North Billings, which consists of all of the county north of I-94, had a population of 566 at the 2020 Census.[22]
* South Billings, which consists of all of the county south of I-94 outside Medora, had a population of 258 at the 2020 Census.[23]

### Unincorporated communities

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* Fairfield
* Gorham
* Fryburg
* Sully Springs

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Billings County, North Dakota

## Notes

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1. ^ The total for 1910 includes populations (8,009) of townships taken to form Golden Valley in 1912, and Slope Counties in 1915.

## References

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1. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Billings County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
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 February 14, 2019.
4. ^ ND County History/Billings County (accessed February 14, 2019)
5. ^ Billings County ND Google Maps (accessed February 14, 2019)
6. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Billings County ND - Google Maps (accessed February 14, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
8. ^ Natl Park Srvc/TRNP/South Unit Map (accessed February 14, 2019)
9. ^ "United States Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
13. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
15. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
16. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
17. ^ The New York Times Electoral Map (Zoom in on North Dakota)
18. ^ David Leip's Presidential Election Atlas - 1992 statistics
19. ^ David Leip's Presidential Election Atlas - 1996 statistics
20. ^ David Leip's Presidential Election Atlas - 2000 statistics
21. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
22. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
23. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2021.

## External links

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* Billings County map, North Dakota DOT

Places adjacent to Billings County, North Dakota

|  | McKenzie County | Dunn County

|
|

|  |
Golden Valley County |

Billings County, North Dakota

| Stark County
|  |
| Slope County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Billings County, North Dakota, United States

County seat: Medora

City|

* Medora

Map of North Dakota highlighting Billings County

Unincorporated
communities|

* Fairfield
* Fryburg
* Gorham
* Sully Springs

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of North Dakota

Bismarck (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Climate
* Colleges and universities
* Cuisine
* Delegations
* Geography
* Governors
* History
* Bibliography
* Islands
* LGBT history
* Music
* People
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Politics

Regions|

* Badlands
* Missouri Coteau
* Drift Prairie
* Red River Valley
* Turtle Mountains

Larger cities
pop. over 5,000|

* Bismarck
* Devils Lake
* Dickinson
* Fargo
* Grand Forks
* Jamestown
* Mandan
* Minot
* Valley City
* Wahpeton
* Watford City
* West Fargo
* Williston

Smaller cities
pop. 1,000–5,000|

* Beach
* Beulah
* Bottineau
* Bowman
* Burlington
* Cando
* Carrington
* Casselton
* Cavalier
* Cooperstown
* Crosby
* Ellendale
* Garrison
* Grafton
* Hankinson
* Harvey
* Hazen
* Hettinger
* Hillsboro
* Horace
* Kenmare
* Langdon
* Larimore
* Lincoln
* Linton
* Lisbon
* Mayville
* New Rockford
* New Town
* Oakes
* Park River
* Rolla
* Rugby
* Stanley
* Thompson
* Tioga
* Velva
* Walhalla
* Washburn
* Watford City
* Wishek

Counties|

* Adams
* Barnes
* Benson
* Billings
* Bottineau
* Bowman
* Burke
* Burleigh
* Cass
* Cavalier
* Dickey
* Divide
* Dunn
* Eddy
* Emmons
* Foster
* Golden Valley
* Grand Forks
* Grant
* Griggs
* Hettinger
* Kidder
* LaMoure
* Logan
* McHenry
* McIntosh
* McKenzie
* McLean
* Mercer
* Morton
* Mountrail
* Nelson
* Oliver
* Pembina
* Pierce
* Ramsey
* Ransom
* Renville
* Richland
* Rolette
* Sargent
* Sheridan
* Sioux
* Slope
* Stark
* Steele
* Stutsman
* Towner
* Traill
* Walsh
* Ward
* Wells
* Williams

Coordinates: 47°02′N 103°22′W﻿ / ﻿47.04°N 103.37°W﻿ / 47.04; -103.37
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*[%±]: Percent change
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