# Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 25,679 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 25,130 in 2023, making it the seventh most populous city in North Dakota.
Since the North Dakota oil boom the city has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. According to the 2020 census, the city is estimated to have a population of 25,679, however, other sources have estimates of the population at 33,646 or possibly exceeding 35,000. Dickinson is home to the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, which has a museum and holds events year-round for the local Ukrainian community.
Dickinson is the principal city of the Dickinson Micropolitan Statistical Area, a micropolitan area that covers Billings and Stark counties and had a combined population of 34,591 at the 2020 census.

## History

Dickinson was founded in 1881. Dickinson was named for its founder, W. S. Dickinson, a native of Malone, New York.
In 1924, Dickinson was the site of a tornado that killed nine people, making it the fourth deadliest tornado in North Dakota's recorded history. Dickinson was the site of an EF3 tornado in 2009 that damaged more than 450 homes and businesses, with 100 beyond repair, but with no injuries or casualties.
The rapid growth of the city due to an oil boom led to an increase in crime and homelessness within the city limits in the 2010s.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.267 square miles (34.36 km$^2$), of which 13.200 square miles (34.19 km$^2$) is land and 0.067 square miles (0.17 km$^2$) is water. Dickinson's municipal water supplies come from Southwest Water Authority which, in turn, gets their water from Lake Sakakawea through a transmission pipeline.

### Climate

Nearly all of Stark County has a humid continental climate of warm summer (Köppen: Dfb), but due to low precipitation and marginality between climate with monsoon-influenced dry winter (Dwb) and semi-arid climate (BSk), Dickinson can be said to be prone to periods of drought, even though it is defined as wet all year round. Its climate is similar to Bismarck's, though a bit less extreme. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 16.3 °F (−8.7 °C) in January to 69.2 °F (20.7 °C) in July; on average, temperatures reach 100 °F (38 °C) on 2.2 days, 90 °F (32 °C) on 22 days, and 0 °F (−18 °C) on 32 days annually. The average window for freezing temperatures is September 22 thru May 16 and for measurable (≥0.1 inches or 0.25 centimetres) snow, October 26 thru April 19. Due to the relative aridity, there are only 2.8 days where 24-hour snowfall exceeds 3 inches (7.6 cm). With a period of record dating only to 1893, extreme temperatures range from −47 °F (−44 °C) as recently as January 12, 2011 to 114 °F (46 °C) on July 6, 1936.
Climate data for Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 63 (17) | 68 (20) | 80 (27) | 94 (34) | 99 (37) | 104 (40) | 109 (43) | 108 (42) | 104 (40) | 95 (35) | 80 (27) | 67 (19) | 109 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 49.0 (9.4) | 51.8 (11.0) | 66.7 (19.3) | 78.3 (25.7) | 84.9 (29.4) | 91.2 (32.9) | 97.1 (36.2) | 97.9 (36.6) | 94.0 (34.4) | 81.2 (27.3) | 65.3 (18.5) | 52.3 (11.3) | 100.1 (37.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 26.6 (−3.0) | 30.2 (−1.0) | 42.1 (5.6) | 54.7 (12.6) | 66.1 (18.9) | 75.6 (24.2) | 83.9 (28.8) | 83.7 (28.7) | 73.0 (22.8) | 56.4 (13.6) | 41.3 (5.2) | 30.1 (−1.1) | 55.3 (12.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 16.4 (−8.7) | 19.6 (−6.9) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 41.6 (5.3) | 52.9 (11.6) | 62.5 (16.9) | 69.4 (20.8) | 68.5 (20.3) | 58.5 (14.7) | 43.8 (6.6) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 19.9 (−6.7) | 42.8 (6.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 6.2 (−14.3) | 9.0 (−12.8) | 18.6 (−7.4) | 28.4 (−2.0) | 39.7 (4.3) | 49.4 (9.7) | 55.0 (12.8) | 53.2 (11.8) | 44.0 (6.7) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 19.3 (−7.1) | 9.7 (−12.4) | 30.3 (−0.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −19.4 (−28.6) | −13.7 (−25.4) | −3.9 (−19.9) | 11.5 (−11.4) | 25.2 (−3.8) | 37.7 (3.2) | 45.1 (7.3) | 41.6 (5.3) | 29.6 (−1.3) | 13.2 (−10.4) | −0.8 (−18.2) | −14.3 (−25.7) | −24.2 (−31.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −35 (−37) | −35 (−37) | −28 (−33) | −10 (−23) | 4 (−16) | 30 (−1) | 35 (2) | 32 (0) | 17 (−8) | −7 (−22) | −18 (−28) | −34 (−37) | −35 (−37) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.25 (6.4) | 0.32 (8.1) | 0.56 (14) | 1.37 (35) | 2.55 (65) | 3.05 (77) | 2.55 (65) | 1.53 (39) | 1.62 (41) | 1.17 (30) | 0.47 (12) | 0.19 (4.8) | 15.63 (397) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.0 (15) | 5.0 (13) | 5.6 (14) | 5.9 (15) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.5 (1.3) | 1.6 (4.1) | 5.8 (15) | 4.6 (12) | 35.5 (90) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.8 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 8.0 | 11.2 | 12.5 | 9.8 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.2 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 85.0 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 5.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 30.8 |
| Source: NOAA (snow 1981–2010) ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Dickinson, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–2012) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 61 (16) | 67 (19) | 85 (29) | 93 (34) | 106 (41) | 109 (43) | 114 (46) | 110 (43) | 104 (40) | 95 (35) | 81 (27) | 68 (20) | 114 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 49.2 (9.6) | 53.6 (12.0) | 66.6 (19.2) | 79.4 (26.3) | 86.0 (30.0) | 91.9 (33.3) | 98.5 (36.9) | 97.8 (36.6) | 93.7 (34.3) | 82.1 (27.8) | 66.7 (19.3) | 51.1 (10.6) | 101.0 (38.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 26.5 (−3.1) | 30.6 (−0.8) | 41.4 (5.2) | 54.3 (12.4) | 65.9 (18.8) | 75.2 (24.0) | 83.0 (28.3) | 83.0 (28.3) | 72.5 (22.5) | 56.7 (13.7) | 41.8 (5.4) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 55.1 (12.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.6 (−9.7) | 18.6 (−7.4) | 29.1 (−1.6) | 41.2 (5.1) | 52.7 (11.5) | 62.4 (16.9) | 69.1 (20.6) | 67.9 (19.9) | 57.5 (14.2) | 42.9 (6.1) | 29.6 (−1.3) | 18.4 (−7.6) | 42.0 (5.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 2.8 (−16.2) | 6.5 (−14.2) | 16.8 (−8.4) | 28.1 (−2.2) | 39.5 (4.2) | 49.6 (9.8) | 55.1 (12.8) | 52.8 (11.6) | 42.5 (5.8) | 29.0 (−1.7) | 17.4 (−8.1) | 6.6 (−14.1) | 28.9 (−1.7) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −22.6 (−30.3) | −17.6 (−27.6) | −6.1 (−21.2) | 10.5 (−11.9) | 23.6 (−4.7) | 35.3 (1.8) | 42.3 (5.7) | 38.7 (3.7) | 24.9 (−3.9) | 10.1 (−12.2) | −4.0 (−20.0) | −19.8 (−28.8) | −29.7 (−34.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −47 (−44) | −47 (−44) | −36 (−38) | −16 (−27) | 7 (−14) | 26 (−3) | 29 (−2) | 24 (−4) | 12 (−11) | −15 (−26) | −29 (−34) | −41 (−41) | −47 (−44) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.40 (10) | 0.53 (13) | 0.68 (17) | 1.56 (40) | 2.59 (66) | 3.17 (81) | 2.69 (68) | 1.86 (47) | 1.73 (44) | 1.33 (34) | 0.59 (15) | 0.43 (11) | 17.56 (446) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 4.9 (12) | 4.4 (11) | 5.8 (15) | 4.2 (11) | 0.8 (2.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 3.0 (7.6) | 4.4 (11) | 6.5 (17) | 34.3 (87) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.5 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 9.6 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 6.4 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 90.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4.1 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 5.3 | 23.4 |
| Source: NOAA (snow, mean maxima/minima 1981–2010) ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

As of the 2022 American Community Survey, there are 10,247 estimated households in Dickinson with an average of 2.38 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $75,767. Approximately 10.7% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Dickinson has an estimated 69.5% employment rate, with 25.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.2% holding a high school diploma.
The top nine reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were German (38.3%), Norwegian (11.2%), Irish (7.2%), English (5.7%), French (except Basque) (2.3%), Italian (2.0%), Polish (1.0%), Scottish (1.0%), and Subsaharan African (0.3%).
The median age in the city was 33.1 years.

### 2020 census

Dickinson, 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. 2000 | Pop. 2010 | Pop. 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 15,448 | 16,542 | 20,920 | 96.49% | 93.00% | 81.47% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 39 | 175 | 1,004 | 0.24% | 0.98% | 3.91% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 185 | 208 | 338 | 1.16% | 1.17% | 1.32% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 37 | 258 | 310 | 0.23% | 1.45% | 1.21% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 7 | 45 | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.18% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 9 | 2 | 75 | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.29% |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | 120 | 213 | 923 | 0.75% | 1.20% | 3.59% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 168 | 382 | 2,064 | 1.05% | 2.15% | 8.04% |
| Total | 16,010 | 17,787 | 25,679 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 25,679 people and 10,544 households, and 6,193 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,816.6 inhabitants per square mile (701.4/km$^2$) There were 11,953 housing units at an average density of 845.6 inhabitants per square mile (326.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 83.64% White, 3.97% African American, 1.58% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from some other races and 6.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.04% of the population.

### 2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 17,787 people, 7,521 households, and 4,308 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,785.4 inhabitants per square mile (689.3/km$^2$). There were 7,865 housing units at an average density of 789.7 inhabitants per square mile (304.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 94.16% White, 1.05% African American, 1.22% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from some other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.15% of the population.
There were 7,521 households, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.7% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 35.6 years. 21% of residents were under the age of 18; 14.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

### 2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 16,010 people, 6,517 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,690.7 inhabitants per square mile (652.8/km$^2$). There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 742.7 inhabitants per square mile (286.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 97.16% White, 0.27% African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from some other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.05% of the population.
The top six ancestry groups in the city are German (54.1%), Norwegian (14.2%), Czech (7.5%), Russian (7.2%), Irish (5.5%), English (3.7%).
There were 6,517 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,542, and the median income for a family was $41,566. Males had a median income of $30,613 versus $19,951 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,975. About 7.1% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

## Education
### K–12

The Dickinson Public Schools system includes six elementary schools, a junior high school, Dickinson High School and an alternative high school. There are also several parochial schools in Dickinson. Trinity East and Trinity West serve as the parochial elementary schools and Dickinson Trinity has both a junior high school and a high school. Hope Christian Academy is also located in Dickinson. HCA is part of the Evangelical Bible Church. The current principal is Shane Bradley.

### Higher education

Dickinson is home to Dickinson State University.

## Law enforcement

The Dickinson Police Department employs about 50 full-time sworn police officers and 24 full-time civilian employees, including dispatchers, records staff and animal control.

## Media
### Print

* The Dickinson Press

### Television

Digital
* 2.1 KXMA-TV/The CW (ATSC 19–3)
* 2.2 KXMA-TV/CBS (ATSC 19–4)
* 2.3 KXMA-TV/weather (ATSC 19–5)
* 7.1 KQCD-TV/NBC
* 7.2 KQCD-TV/Fox
* 7.3 KQCD-TV/MeTV
* 9.1 KDSE/PBS Prairie Public Broadcasting
* 9.2 KDSE/PBS World
* 9.3 KDSE/PBS Minnesota Channel
* 9.4 KDSE/PBS Lifelong Learning
* In addition, Bismarck ABC affiliate KBMY is available only on local satellite and cable systems; it was previously simulcast via KXMA-TV on 2.2 until February 2, 2016.

### Radio

FM band
* 88.1 K201FN – rebroadcasts CSN (Christian)
* 89.9 KDPR – North Dakota Public Radio/NPR network (Public radio)
* 90.7 KSLS – rebroadcasts KSLT "K-Salt" (Cont. Christian music)
* 92.1 KZRX "Z92" (Mainstream Rock)
* 93.9 KXDI "I94" (Country)
* 95.7 KQLZ "Q-Rock 95" (Classic Rock)
* 99.1 KCAD "Roughrider Country" (Country)
* 103.3 KPAR-LP – low power broadcaster carrying LifeTalk Radio network (Christian Talk)
* 105.7 KDXN "The Mix" (Adult Contemporary)
AM band
* 1230 KDIX "Real Country" (Oldies/Classic country)
* 1340 KPOK (Country/Talk)
* 1410 KDKT "Fox Sports Radio 1410" (Sports/Talk)
* 1460 KLTC (Classic country/Talk)

## Transportation

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines. Local dial-a-ride transit is provided by Dickinson Public Transit for a $4 fare. Hours of operation are from 6:00am–6:00pm Monday-Saturday, and 9:00am–6:00pm on Sunday.

## Sites of interest

* Badlands Dinosaur Museum
* Dickinson Museum Center
* West River Community Center
* West River Ice Center
* Biesiot Activities Center
* Ukrainian Cultural Institute
* Dickinson Area Public Library (originally a Carnegie Library)
* North Dakota Soccer Association headquarters

## Sports

* The Dickinson Packers played independent minor league baseball in the Mandak League from 1955 to 1956
* Dickinson Roughriders of North Dakota American Legion Baseball
* Dickinson State University Blue Hawks
* Dickinson High School Midgets
* Trinity High School Titans
* Badlands Big Sticks, summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League

## Notable people

* Kelly Armstrong, born in Dickinson, 34th Governor of North Dakota, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
* LaRoy Baird, lived in Dickinson, former member of North Dakota Senate
* Doug Beaudoin, born in Dickinson, former American football safety in the NFL
* Bob Bergloff, born in Dickinson, former ice hockey defenseman
* Byron Dorgan, born in Dickinson, former United States Senator
* Edward Doro, born in Dickinson, poet
* Clay S. Jenkinson, born in Dickinson, scholar, author, and educator
* Bennie Joppru, born in Dickinson, former tight end in the National Football League
* Douglas Kary, born in Dickinson, member of the Montana Legislature
* Aaron Krauter, born in Dickinson, member of North Dakota Senate
* John S. Lesmeister, born in Dickinson, 30th North Dakota State Treasurer
* Kellan Lutz, born in Dickinson, actor, played Emmett Cullen in Twilight
* Mitch Malloy, born in Dickinson, singer and songwriter
* Ted Nace, raised in Dickinson, writer, publisher, and environmentalist
* Herb Parker (1921–2007), lived in Dickinson, teacher and American football coach at Minot State University
* Malachi Ritscher (1954–2006), born in Dickinson, musician and human rights activist
* George Scherger (1920–2011), born in Dickinson, MLB coach, infielder, and manager
* Dorothy Stickney (1896–1998), born in Dickinson, stage and film actress
* Bill Swain, born in Dickinson, former linebacker for the New York Giants