Richland County, North Dakota

County in North Dakota, United States

U.S. county in North Dakota

Richland County

U.S. county

Error creating thumbnail:

Richland County Courthouse in Wahpeton

Map of North Dakota highlighting Richland County

Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota

North Dakota's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  North Dakota
Founded| January 4, 1873 (created)
November 25, 1873 (organized)
Named for| Morgan T. Rich
Seat| Wahpeton
Largest city| Wahpeton
Area

• Total| 1,445 sq mi (3,740 km2)
• Land| 1,436 sq mi (3,720 km2)
• Water| 9.7 sq mi (25 km2)  0.7%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 16,529
• Estimate

(2021)

| 16,560
• Density| 11/sq mi (4.4/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| At-large
Website| www.co.richland.nd.us

Richland County is a county in 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.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Major highways
* 2.2 Adjacent counties
* 2.3 National protected area
* 2.4 Lakes[5]
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2000 census
* 3.2 2010 census
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 Cities
* 4.2 Unincorporated communities[5]
* 4.3 Townships
* 5 Politics
* 6 Education
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## 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]

File:Map of Richland County, N.D., 1897.jpgOutline 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.[5] The terrain slopes to the north and east, with its highest point near its SW corner, at 1,220' (372m) ASL.[6] 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.[7]

### Major highways

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* Interstate 29
* File:North Dakota 11.svg North Dakota Highway 11
* File:North Dakota 13.svg North Dakota Highway 13
* North Dakota Highway 18
* File:North Dakota 27.svg North Dakota Highway 27
* North Dakota Highway 46
* North Dakota Highway 127

### Adjacent counties

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* Cass County \- north
* Clay County, Minnesota \- northeast
* Wilkin County, Minnesota \- east
* Traverse County, Minnesota \- southeast
* Roberts County, South Dakota \- south
* Marshall County, South Dakota \- southwest
* Sargent County \- west
* Ransom County \- northwest

### National protected area

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* Sheyenne National Grassland (part)

### Lakes[5]

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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

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1880| 3,597| | —
1890| 10,751| | 198.9%
1900| 17,387| | 61.7%
1910| 19,659| | 13.1%
1920| 20,887| | 6.2%
1930| 21,008| | 0.6%
1940| 20,519| | −2.3%
1950| 19,865| | −3.2%
1960| 18,824| | −5.2%
1970| 18,089| | −3.9%
1980| 19,207| | 6.2%
1990| 18,148| | −5.5%
2000| 17,998| | −0.8%
2010| 16,321| | −9.3%
2020| 16,529| | 1.3%
2021 (est.)| 16,560| | 0.2%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

### 2000 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 17,998 people, 6,885 households, and 4,427 families in the county. The population density was 12.3/sqmi (4.84/km2). There were 7,575 housing units at an average density of 5.28/sqmi (2.04/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.83% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 1.66% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 46.5% were of German and 26.9% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 6,885 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% 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 3.06.

The county population contained 24.7% under the age of 18, 14.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.7 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 108.6 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,098, and the median income for a family was $45,484. Men had a median income of $30,829 versus $20,310 for women. The per capita income for the county was $16,339. About 6.1% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

### 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.[12] 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).[13] 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.[12] In terms of ancestry, 53.0% were German, 31.2% were Norwegian, 7.0% were Irish, and 2.3% were American.[14]

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.[12]

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.[15]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Abercrombie
* Barney
* Christine
* Colfax
* Dwight
* Fairmount
* Great Bend
* Hankinson
* Lidgerwood
* Mantador
* Mooreton
* Wahpeton (county seat)
* Walcott
* Wyndmere

### Unincorporated communities[5]

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* Blackmer
* Enloe
* Galchutt
* La Mars
* Lithia
* Tyler

### Townships

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* Abercrombie
* Antelope
* Barney
* Barrie
* Belford
* Brandenburg
* Brightwood
* Center
* Colfax
* Danton
* Devillo
* Dexter
* Duerr
* Dwight
* Eagle
* Elma
* Fairmount
* Freeman
* Garborg
* Grant
* Greendale
* Helendale
* Homestead
* Ibsen
* LaMars
* Liberty Grove
* Lidgerwood
* Mooreton
* Moran
* Nansen
* Sheyenne
* Summit
* Viking
* Walcott
* Waldo
* West End
* Wyndmere

## 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 2020).

United States presidential election results for Richland County, North Dakota[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
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:[17]

* Fairmount Public School District 18
* Hankinson Public School District 8
* Kindred Public School District 2
* Lidgerwood Public School District 28
* Richland Public School District 44
* Wahpeton Public School District 37
* Wyndmere Public School District 42

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

## References

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1. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Richland County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 25, 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 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. ^ a b c Richland County ND Google Maps (accessed February 24, 2019)
6. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Richland County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 24, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
8. ^ "US Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
12. ^ 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 April 3, 2016.
13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
14. ^ "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 April 3, 2016.
15. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Richland County, ND" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022. \- Text list \- 2010 map \- 2010 text list

## External links

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* Richland County, North Dakota
* A history of Richland County and the city of Wahpeton ND (1938?) from the Digital Horizons website
* Richland County maps, Sheet 1 (northern) and Sheet 2 (southern), North Dakota DOT

Places adjacent to Richland County, North Dakota

| Ransom County | Cass County | Clay County, Minnesota

|
|

|  |
Sargent County |

File:Pfeil links.svgRichland County, North DakotaFile:Pfeil rechts.svg

| Wilkin County, Minnesota
|  |
Marshall County, South Dakota | Roberts County, South Dakota | Traverse County, Minnesota

* v
* t
* e

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

County seat: Wahpeton

Cities|

* Abercrombie
* Barney
* Christine
* Colfax
* Dwight
* Fairmount
* Great Bend
* Hankinson
* Lidgerwood
* Mantador
* Mooreton
* Wahpeton
* Walcott
* Wyndmere

File:Map of North Dakota highlighting Richland County.svgMap of North Dakota highlighting Richland County

Townships|

* Abercrombie
* Brandenburg
* Danton

Unincorporated
communities|

* Galchutt

Indian reservations|

* Lake Traverse Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* 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: 46°16′N 96°57′W﻿ / ﻿46.27°N 96.95°W﻿ / 46.27; -96.95
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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