Dilworth, Minnesota

City in Minnesota, United States

City in Minnesota, United States

Dilworth, Minnesota

City

Star Lite Motel

Nickname:

D-town

Location of Dilworth in Clay County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 46°52′46.25″N 96°41′54.60″W﻿ / ﻿46.8795139°N 96.6985000°W﻿ / 46.8795139; -96.6985000
Country| United States
State| Minnesota
County| Clay
Founded| 1883
Incorporated| August 17, 1911
Government

• Type| Mayor-Council
• Mayor| Chad Olson
• Vice Mayor| Julie Nash
• Councilmember| Amber Borah
Dave Steichen
Kevin Peterson
Area

[1]

• City| 3.464 sq mi (8.972 km2)
• Land| 3.461 sq mi (8.963 km2)
• Water| 0.003 sq mi (0.007 km2)
Elevation

[2]

| 909 ft (277 m)
Population

(2020)[3]

• City| 4,612
• Estimate

(2023)[4]

| 4,772
• Density| 1,483.03/sq mi (572.60/km2)
• Urban

| 216,214
• Metro

| 262,620
Time zone| UTC–6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code|

56529

Area code| 218
FIPS code| 27-15976
GNIS feature ID| 2394536[2]
Sales tax| 7.375%[5]
Website| cityofdilworth.com

Dilworth is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,612 at the time of the 2020 census.[3] Dilworth is one of the core cities of the Fargo–Moorhead metro area; it is on the eastern border of Moorhead. Dilworth is home to the historic Star Lite Motel and the Dilworth Rail Yard, one of the BNSF Railway's largest and busiest facilities in Minnesota.

## History

[edit]

Dilworth was founded in 1883 when the Northern Pacific Railroad was extended to that point.[6] It was named for Joseph Dilworth, a railroad official.[6]

Dilworth, originally named Richardson, was established as a station by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883. In November 1884 the name was changed from Richardson to Dilworth in honor of Joseph Dilworth of Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Dilworth was a coffee importer who was a director of the Northern Pacific from 1875 to 1881.

Until 1906 Dilworth was a small station with a siding serving two grain elevators and had no depot building or agent. The crowding of the Northern Pacific sites in Fargo necessitated the selection of a new site for divisional terminal facilities and Dilworth was chosen. By July 1906, the Northern Pacific had purchased nearly 500 acres of land around the Dilworth siding for the new headquarters. A main feature of the facility was the roundhouse, a huge building shaped like a donut with a bite out of it. In the center of the donut’s hole was a turntable, like a big Lazy Susan. A locomotive was driven onto the turntable which rotated the engine toward one of 45 stalls. In the stall the locomotive was repaired and refitted. Then the engine backed out onto the turntable and spun about to pull another train back the other direction.

The village grew from practically zero population in mid-1907 to nearly 500 by spring 1910. Establishment of a railroad hotel was necessary to house railroad workers until the town could build up and the workers could move into homes of their own or obtain other places of residence.

In 1911, the village was formally incorporated and established its own government and law enforcement. The first Mayor of Dilworth was F. C. Alsop, with Christian Haugsted the Clerk. In 1918, J. M. Manning was elected Mayor, O. Wirud, Clerk, with M. J. Peirsol appointed Street Commissioner and L. G. Hanson as Treasurer.

The Dilworth Fire Department was established in 1911. The evaluation on October 25, 1928 estimated value of equipment was $1,000. It consisted of 2 extensions, two hose carts and an 18 member volunteer group.

Dilworth’s rapid growth challenged its school system as well. The Clay County Commission approved of School District 81 on March 3, 1896. This encompassed the northeastern quarter of Moorhead Township, home to eight school age children. In 1905, District 81 built a new one-room school a half mile south of today’s Dilworth Community Center. By 1908, the school’s population had ballooned to 93. The District built a new, much larger school just south of the present Dilworth Elementary.

One of the earliest institutions in the new village was the Dilworth Presbyterian Church. Through the efforts of Moorhead Presbyterian minister Dugald McIntyre, the church broke ground May 15, 1907. Their very active ladies aid society raised money through a series of bake sales and socials. When the church was dedicated August 11, the congregation was free of debt. The church still stands. It’s likely the oldest building in Dilworth.

St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church was slower in coming. According to a typescript history from the church, in 1907, Father Charles Cannon of Moorhead’s St. Joseph’s parish visited the townsite to take a survey of Dilworth’s Catholics and "to determine local interest in forming a mission church." The effort had limited success, but over the next few years Father Gerard Speilman of St. Joseph’s celebrated mass in private homes. In July 1910, new efforts to form a church began. Less than two months later, the community dedicated a new 35 by 51 foot concrete block church. It served the congregation until the present church was built in 1964.

Businesses quickly sprang up during summer 1907. In late July, Moorhead’s Ballord-Trimble Lumber Company opened a yard at the rapidly growing village. A few days later Olaus Anderson opened a general store on the corner of today’s Center Avenue and Main Street. Two weeks after that, Rasmus Haugsted opened another general store half a block north. In mid-August Haugsted became Dilworth’s first Post Master and ran the Post Office from his store. By 1910, Dilworth was also home to a bank, two hotels, a grocery, a dairy, a meat market, a bakery, at least two restaurants and a barbershop. Some 498 people lived in Dilworth and nearly 70% of them worked for the railroad.

Dilworth, a city in Moorhead Township, incorporated as a village on August 17, 1911; the community began in 1883 as a railroad siding, called Richardson for a few months, then renamed to honor coffee importer Joseph Dilworth, one of the original stockholders and a director of the Northern Pacific Railroad, residing in Pittsburgh, Pa., who purchased 4,000 acres in the vicinity and became one of the largest landholders along the railroad. It was the largest railroad village in western Minnesota when the Northern Pacific Railroad built its depot in section 11 in 1906. The townsite was platted in 1906, and the post office began in 1907. The village was often called Little Italy for the large Italian immigrant group who settled here.[7]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 3.464 square miles (8.97 km2), of which 3.461 square miles (8.96 km2) is land and 0.003 square miles (0.01 km2) is water.[1]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 882| | —
1930| 983| | 11.5%
1940| 1,068| | 8.6%
1950| 1,429| | 33.8%
1960| 2,102| | 47.1%
1970| 2,321| | 10.4%
1980| 2,585| | 11.4%
1990| 2,562| | −0.9%
2000| 3,001| | 17.1%
2010| 4,024| | 34.1%
2020| 4,612| | 14.6%
2023 (est.)| 4,772| [4]| 3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
2020 Census[3]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Dilworth, Minnesota – Racial Composition[9]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (NH)  | 3,877  | 84.1%
Black or African American (NH)  | 156  | 3.4%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 69  | 1.5%
Asian (NH)  | 23  | 0.5%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 0  | 0.0%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 14  | 0.3%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 212  | 4.6%
Hispanic or Latino | 261  | 5.7%
Total | 4,612 | 100.0%

As of the 2020 census, there were 4,612 people, 1,828 households, and 1,213 families residing in the city.[10] The population density was 1,439.7 inhabitants per square mile (555.9/km2). There were 1,942 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White, 3.4% African American, 1.9% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.7% from some other races and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.[11]

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 4,024 people, 1,595 households, and 1,053 families living in the city. The population density was 1,215.7 inhabitants per square mile (469.4/km2). There were 1,727 housing units at an average density of 521.8 inhabitants per square mile (201.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 0.5% African American, 2.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 1,595 households, of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 34.3 years. 28.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 3,001 people, 1,160 households, and 787 families living in the city. The population density was 1,510.6 inhabitants per square mile (583.2/km2). There were 1,238 housing units at an average density of 623.2 inhabitants per square mile (240.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.64% White, 0.03% African American, 1.80% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 4.20% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.63% of the population.

There were 1,160 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,571, and the median income for a family was $42,887. Males had a median income of $32,857 versus $21,226 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,726. About 13.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

## Economy

[edit]

### Employers

[edit]

According to the City's 2022 Summary Budget [12]

According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[13] the employers in the city are:

#  | Employer  | Products/Services  | # of Employees

|
|
|

1  | Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad | Rail Transportation | 375
2  | Walmart | Department store | 225
3  | Dilworth Public Schools  | Elementary & Secondary Schools  | 95
4  | FM Asphalt LLC.  | Petroleum & Coal Products Manufacturing  | 85
5  | Slumberland | Furniture store | 30

## Transportation

[edit]

Dilworth is connected to Moorhead and Fargo with the public transit provider MATBUS.

U.S. Route 10 (more commonly called Highway 10) serves as a main roadway in the city. Interstate 94 is nearby, connected to U.S. 10 by Minnesota State Highway 336.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in Fargo, 4 miles (6.4 km) to the west.

## Churches

[edit]

Roman Catholic

* St. Elizabeth Catholic Church[14]

Evangelical Lutheran in America

* Dilworth Lutheran Church[15]

Presbyterian

* First Presbyterian Bible Church of Dilworth[16]

Assemblies of God

* River Valley Church[17]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Dilworth, Minnesota
3. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
4. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
5. ^ "Dilworth (MN) sales tax rate". Retrieved October 4, 2024.
6. ^ a b "History". City of Dilworth, MN. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
7. ^ "Guide to Dilworth Minnesota".
8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
9. ^ States Census Bureau]] "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Moorhead city, Minnesota". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 4, 2024. `{{cite web}}`: Check `|url=` value (help)
10. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
11. ^ "How many people live in Dilworth city, Minnesota". USA Today. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
12. ^ "City of Dilworth 2022 Minnesota City Summary Budget Statement for Publication" (PDF). June 4, 2023. p. 1.
13. ^ "Dilworth Minnesota Community Guide" (LakesnWoods). June 4, 2023.
14. ^ "St. Elizabeth Catholic Church".
15. ^ "Dilworth Lutheran".
16. ^ "First Presbyterian".
17. ^ "River Valley".

## External links

[edit]

* City of Dilworth – Official Website
* Dilworth Community Guide
* Dilworth Photo Gallery

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Clay County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Moorhead

Cities|

* Barnesville
* Comstock
* Dilworth
* Felton
* Georgetown
* Glyndon
* Hawley
* Hitterdal
* Moorhead
* Sabin
* Ulen

Map of Minnesota highlighting Clay County

Townships|

* Alliance
* Barnesville
* Cromwell
* Eglon
* Elkton
* Elmwood
* Felton
* Flowing
* Georgetown
* Glyndon
* Goose Prairie
* Hagen
* Hawley
* Highland Grove
* Holy Cross
* Humboldt
* Keene
* Kragnes
* Kurtz
* Moland
* Moorhead
* Morken
* Oakport
* Parke
* Riverton
* Skree
* Spring Prairie
* Tansem
* Ulen
* Viding

CDPs|

* Baker
* Oakport

Unincorporated
communities|

* Averill
* Downer
* Finkle
* Kragnes
* Manitoba Junction
* Rollag
* Rustad
* Tansem

Ghost towns|

* Dale
* Muskoda
* Winnipeg Junction

* Minnesota portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Fargo–Moorhead metropolitan area (ND–MN)

Counties|

* Cass
* Clay

Main cities|

* Fargo‡
* Moorhead‡
* West Fargo
* Dilworth

Surrounding
areas|

* Alice
* Amenia
* Argusville
* Arthur
* Ayr
* Barnesville
* Briarwood
* Buffalo
* Casselton
* Comstock
* Davenport
* Enderlin
* Erie
* Felton
* Frontier
* Gardner
* Georgetown
* Grandin
* Glyndon
* Harwood
* Hawley
* Hitterdal
* Horace
* Hunter
* Kindred
* Leonard
* Mapleton
* North River
* Oxbow
* Page
* Prairie Rose
* Sabin
* Tower City
* Reile's Acres
* Ulen
* Wheatland

‡ - county seat

46°52′46.25″N 96°41′54.60″W﻿ / ﻿46.8795139°N 96.6985000°W﻿ / 46.8795139; -96.6985000
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