Grand Forks County, North Dakota

County in North Dakota, United States

County in North Dakota

Grand Forks County

County

The Grand Forks County Courthouse in Grand Forks

The new Grand Forks County Office Building in Grand Forks, near historic Grand Forks County Courthouse

Logo

Motto:

"Heart of the Red River Valley"

Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota

North Dakota's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 47°55′34″N 97°27′03″W﻿ / ﻿47.926003°N 97.450851°W﻿ / 47.926003; -97.450851
Country|  United States
State|  North Dakota
Founded| January 4, 1873 (created)
March 2, 1875 (organized)
Seat| Grand Forks
Largest city| Grand Forks
Area

• Total

| 1,439.418 sq mi (3,728.08 km2)
• Land| 1,436.216 sq mi (3,719.78 km2)
• Water| 3.202 sq mi (8.29 km2)  0.22%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 73,170

• Estimate

(2024)

| 73,771
• Density| 51.359/sq mi (19.830/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code| 701
Congressional district| At-large
Website| gfcounty.nd.gov

Grand Forks County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 73,170,[1] and was estimated to be 73,771 in 2024,[2] making it the third-most populous county in North Dakota. The county seat and the largest city is Grand Forks.[3]

## History

[edit]

Using territory annexed from Pembina County, the Dakota Territory legislature created Grand Forks County on January 4, 1873. Its governing structure was not established at that time, nor was the territory attached to another county for administrative and judicial purposes. The government was organized on March 2, 1875.

The county's boundaries were altered in 1875, 1881, and 1883. It has retained its present boundary since 1883.[4][5]

Grand Forks County is included in the Greater Grand Forks (officially the Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area).

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,439.418 square miles (3,728.08 km2), of which 1,436.216 square miles (3,719.78 km2) is land and 3.202 square miles (8.29 km2) (0.22%) is water.[6] It is the 17th largest county in North Dakota by total area.

Grand Forks County lies on the east side of North Dakota. Its eastern boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota (across the Red River). The Red River flows northward along the county's east border, on its way to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. The Forest River flows eastward and northward across the upper western part of the county.

The terrain of Grand Forks County consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around urban areas.[7] The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is a hill at its southwestern corner, at 1,450 ft (440 m) ASL.[8]

The University of North Dakota has established a Field Biology Station on Forest River, at the county's northern border. In 2013 it partnered with ND Game & Fish Department to establish a 160-acre (0.65 km2) wildlife management area at the station, to monitor whitetail deer activity in the forest.[9] The field station is tasked with identifying plants native and endemic to the area. A total of 498 plants have been collected at the Forest River Biology Station and Wildlife Management Area.[10]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 29
* U.S. Highway 2
* U.S. Highway 81
* North Dakota Highway 15
* North Dakota Highway 18
* North Dakota Highway 32

### Transit

[edit]

* Amtrak Empire Builder (Grand Forks station)
* Cities Area Transit
* Jefferson Lines

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Walsh County \- north
* Marshall County, Minnesota \- northeast
* Polk County, Minnesota \- east
* Traill County \- southeast
* Steele County \- southwest
* Nelson County \- west

### Protected areas

[edit]

Source:[7]

* Forest River Biology Station/Wildlife Management Area
* Grand Forks County Larimore Dam Recreation Area
* Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge
* Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge
* Prairie Chicken State Game Management Area
* Turtle River State Park

### Lakes

[edit]

Source:[7]

* Fordville Dam
* Larimore Dam
* Smith Lakes

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1880| 6,248| | —
1890| 18,357| | 193.8%
1900| 24,459| | 33.2%
1910| 27,888| | 14.0%
1920| 28,795| | 3.3%
1930| 31,956| | 11.0%
1940| 34,518| | 8.0%
1950| 39,448| | 14.3%
1960| 48,677| | 23.4%
1970| 61,102| | 25.5%
1980| 66,100| | 8.2%
1990| 70,683| | 6.9%
2000| 66,109| | −6.5%
2010| 66,861| | 1.1%
2020| 73,170| | 9.4%
2024 (est.)| 73,771| [11]| 0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[2]

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median home value in Grand Forks County was $276,879.[16]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 31,045 estimated households in Grand Forks County with an average of 2.20 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $68,450. Approximately 12.5% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Grand Forks County has an estimated 68.7% employment rate, with 37.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 95.7% holding a high school diploma.[2]

The median age in the county was 30.8 years.

Grand Forks County, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.

Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1980[17] | Pop. 1990[18] | Pop. 2000[19] | Pop. 2010[20] | Pop. 2020[21]

|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 62,524
(94.59%) | 66,128
(93.56%) | 60,801
(91.97%) | 59,271
(88.65%) | 58,755
(80.30%)
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 1,117
(1.69%) | 1,413
(2.00%) | 871
(1.32%) | 1,322
(1.98%) | 3,009
(4.11%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 798
(1.21%) | 1,198
(1.69%) | 1,473
(2.23%) | 1,592
(2.38%) | 1,637
(2.24%)
Asian alone (NH)  | 506
(0.77%) | 849
(1.20%) | 636
(0.96%) | 1,280
(1.91%) | 2,479
(3.39%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | — | — | 44
(0.07%) | 35
(0.05%) | 52
(0.07%)
Other race alone (NH)  | 202
(0.31%) | 42
(0.06%) | 39
(0.06%) | 27
(0.04%) | 169
(0.23%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH)  | — | — | 886
(1.34%) | 1,383
(2.07%) | 3,412
(4.66%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 953
(1.44%) | 1,053
(1.49%) | 1,359
(2.06%) | 1,951
(2.92%) | 3,657
(5.00%)
Total | 66,100
(100.00%) | 70,683
(100.00%) | 66,109
(100.00%) | 66,861
(100.00%) | 73,170
(100.00%)

### 2024 estimate

[edit]

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 73,771 people and 31,045 households residing in the county. There were 34,140 housing units at an average density of 23.77 per square mile (9.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.9% White (82.5% NH White), 4.3% African American, 2.9% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.7% of the population.[22]

### 2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 73,170 people, 30,658 households, and 16,186 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 50.9 inhabitants per square mile (19.7/km2). There were 33,428 housing units at an average density of 23.27 per square mile (9.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.08% White, 4.19% African American, 2.47% Native American, 3.41% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from some other races and 6.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.00% of the population.[24]

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 66,861 people, 27,417 households, and 15,215 families in the county. The population density was 46.5 inhabitants per square mile (18.0/km2). There were 29,344 housing units at an average density of 20.4 inhabitants per square mile (7.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% White, 2.04% African American, 2.48% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from some other races and 2.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.92% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 34.1% were German, 33.8% were Norwegian, 9.5% were Irish, 5.8% were Polish, 5.3% were English, and 2.9% were American.

Of the 27,417 households, 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.5% were non-families, and 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 29.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,242 and the median income for a family was $65,804. Males had a median income of $40,622 versus $31,633 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,276. About 8.2% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

### Population by decade

[edit]

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Emerado
* Gilby
* Grand Forks (county seat)
* Inkster
* Larimore
* Manvel
* Niagara
* Northwood
* Reynolds (part)
* Thompson

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Grand Forks AFB

### Other communities

[edit]

Source:[7]

* Arvilla
* Emerado
* Forest River Colony
* Hannah Junction
* Johnstown
* Kelly
* Kempton
* Logan Center
* McCanna
* Mekinock

### Townships

[edit]

* Agnes
* Allendale
* Americus
* Arvilla
* Avon
* Bentru
* Blooming
* Brenna
* Chester
* Elkmount
* Elm Grove
* Fairfield
* Falconer
* Ferry
* Gilby
* Grace
* Grand Forks
* Hegton
* Inkster
* Johnstown
* Lakeville
* Larimore
* Levant
* Lind
* Logan Center
* Loretta
* Mekinock
* Michigan
* Moraine
* Niagara
* Northwood
* Oakville
* Pleasant View
* Plymouth
* Rye
* Strabane
* Turtle River
* Union
* Walle
* Washington
* Wheatfield

Township Numbers and Range Numbers[25] | Range 56  | Range 55  | Range 54  | Range 53  | Range 52  | Range 51  | Range 50  | Range 49

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Township 154  | Elkmount | Inkster | Strabane | Johnstown | Levant | Turtle River | Turte River |
Township 153  | Plymouth | Agnes | Wheatfield | Gilby | Lakeville | Ferry | Ferry |
Township 152  | Niagara | Elm Grove | Hegton | Mekinock | Blooming | Rye | Falconer |
Township 151  | Moraine | Larimore | Arvilla | Chester | Oakville | Brenna | Grand Forks |
Township 150  | Logan Center | Grace | Avon | Pleasant View | Fairfield | Allendale | Walle | Walle
Township 149  | Loretta | Lind | Northwood | Washington | Union | Michigan | Americus | Bentru

## Politics

[edit]

Like all parts of North Dakota other than areas with reservations, Grand Forks County voters historically and currently vote Republican at the presidential level. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. However, the large student population has kept margins closer in recent elections.

United States presidential election results for Grand Forks County, North Dakota[26][27] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 18,123  | 57.70% | 12,469  | 39.70%  | 819  | 2.61%
2020 | 16,987  | 54.85% | 12,880  | 41.59%  | 1,105  | 3.57%
2016 | 16,340  | 53.81% | 10,851  | 35.74%  | 3,174  | 10.45%
2012 | 15,060  | 50.15% | 14,032  | 46.73%  | 937  | 3.12%
2008 | 14,520  | 46.34%  | 16,104  | 51.40% | 709  | 2.26%
2004 | 17,298  | 56.77% | 12,646  | 41.50%  | 526  | 1.73%
2000 | 15,875  | 55.93% | 10,593  | 37.32%  | 1,917  | 6.75%
1996 | 11,606  | 44.92% | 11,376  | 44.03%  | 2,854  | 11.05%
1992 | 13,705  | 44.06% | 10,930  | 35.14%  | 6,469  | 20.80%
1988 | 14,801  | 53.76% | 12,494  | 45.38%  | 236  | 0.86%
1984 | 15,898  | 60.70% | 10,050  | 38.37%  | 243  | 0.93%
1980 | 14,257  | 57.65% | 6,997  | 28.29%  | 3,477  | 14.06%
1976 | 13,820  | 52.71% | 11,545  | 44.03%  | 853  | 3.25%
1972 | 13,361  | 56.92% | 9,416  | 40.11%  | 698  | 2.97%
1968 | 9,802  | 52.00% | 7,695  | 40.82%  | 1,352  | 7.17%
1964 | 7,367  | 40.53%  | 10,740  | 59.09% | 68  | 0.37%
1960 | 10,997  | 56.85% | 8,341  | 43.12%  | 5  | 0.03%
1956 | 10,289  | 62.17% | 6,231  | 37.65%  | 30  | 0.18%
1952 | 10,939  | 65.65% | 5,639  | 33.84%  | 84  | 0.50%
1948 | 6,374  | 46.23%  | 6,996  | 50.74% | 419  | 3.04%
1944 | 5,668  | 42.19%  | 7,707  | 57.37% | 59  | 0.44%
1940 | 7,043  | 45.42%  | 8,396  | 54.15% | 67  | 0.43%
1936 | 4,312  | 29.64%  | 9,222  | 63.39% | 1,015  | 6.98%
1932 | 5,090  | 39.46%  | 7,579  | 58.75% | 231  | 1.79%
1928 | 8,024  | 64.86% | 4,300  | 34.76%  | 47  | 0.38%
1924 | 6,690  | 62.81% | 943  | 8.85%  | 3,018  | 28.34%
1920 | 7,646  | 74.00% | 2,527  | 24.46%  | 159  | 1.54%
1916 | 2,159  | 41.94%  | 2,814  | 54.66% | 175  | 3.40%
1912 | 955  | 23.88%  | 1,492  | 37.31% | 1,552  | 38.81%
1908 | 2,740  | 57.41% | 1,750  | 36.66%  | 283  | 5.93%
1904 | 2,807  | 73.16% | 828  | 21.58%  | 202  | 5.26%
1900 | 2,603  | 61.33% | 1,532  | 36.10%  | 109  | 2.57%

## Education

[edit]

K-12 school districts include:[28]

* Dakota Prairie Public School District 1
* Central Valley Public School District 3
* Fordville-Lankin Public School District 5
* Grand Forks Public School District 1
* Grand Forks AFB Public School District 140
* Hatton Public School District 7
* Larimore Public School District 44
* Midway Public School District 128
* Northwood Public School District 129
* Thompson Public School District 61

Elementary school districts include:[28]

* Emerado Public School District 127
* Manvel Public School District 125

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
2. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Grand Forks County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
4. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
5. ^ "County History". www.nd.gov. State of North Dakota. 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
6. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
7. ^ a b c d "Grand Forks County · North Dakota". www.google.com/maps. Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
8. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Grand Forks County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
9. ^ ""Grand Forks Herald" (June 22, 2017)". Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
10. ^ The checklist of vascular plants of Forest River Biology Station and Wildlife Management Area, Grand Forks county, North Dakota
11. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved April 15, 2025.
12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
14. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
16. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
17. ^ "Grand Forks County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
18. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics North Dakota" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 20. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
19. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Grand Forks County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Grand Forks County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
21. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Grand Forks County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
22. ^ "County Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
23. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
24. ^ "How many people live in Grand Forks County, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
25. ^ "Earth Point".
26. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
27. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,327 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 180 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 45 votes.
28. ^ a b "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Grand Forks County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 1, 2024. \- Text list

## External links

[edit]

* Grand Forks County – official website
* Grand Forks County maps, Sheet 1 (northern) and Sheet 2 (southern), North Dakota DOT

Places adjacent to Grand Forks County, North Dakota

|  | Walsh County | Marshall County, Minnesota

|
|

|  |
Nelson County |

Grand Forks County, North Dakota

| Polk County, Minnesota
|  |
Steele County |
| Traill County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Grand Forks County, North Dakota, United States

County seat: Grand Forks

Cities|

* Emerado
* Gilby
* Grand Forks
* Inkster
* Larimore
* Manvel
* Niagara
* Northwood
* Reynolds‡
* Thompson

Map of North Dakota highlighting Grand Forks County

Townships|

* Agnes
* Allendale
* Americus
* Arvilla
* Avon
* Bentru
* Blooming
* Brenna
* Chester
* Elkmount
* Elm Grove
* Fairfield
* Falconer
* Ferry
* Gilby
* Grace
* Grand Forks
* Hegton
* Inkster
* Johnstown
* Lakeville
* Larimore
* Levant
* Lind
* Logan Center
* Loretta
* Mekinock
* Michigan
* Moraine
* Niagara
* Northwood
* Oakville
* Pleasant View
* Plymouth
* Rye
* Strabane
* Turtle River
* Union
* Walle
* Washington
* Wheatfield

CDP|

* Grand Forks AFB

Unincorporated
communities|

* Arvilla
* Hannah Junction
* Johnstown
* Kempton
* Mekinock

Footnotes|

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

* North Dakota portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Greater Grand Forks metropolitan area (ND-MN)

Counties|

* Grand Forks
* Polk

Main cities|

* Grand Forks†
* East Grand Forks

Surrounding areas|

* Beltrami
* Climax
* Crookston†
* Emerado
* Erskine
* Fertile
* Fisher
* Fosston
* Gilby
* Grand Forks AFB
* Gully
* Inkster
* Larimore
* Lengby
* Manvel
* McIntosh
* Mentor
* Niagara
* Nielsville
* Northwood
* Reynolds
* Thompson
* Trail
* Winger

† - county seat

* 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|

* Abortion
* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Gun laws
* LGBT rights
* 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

North Dakota portal

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template