Dickinson, North Dakota

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, making it the 7th most populous city in North Dakota. Dickinson is home to the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, which has a museum and holds events year round for the local Ukrainian community. Western North Dakota has a high concentration of people of Ukrainian descent.
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. The rapid growth of the city led to an increase in crime and homelessness within the city limits.
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.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and 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 in January to in July; on average, temperatures reach on 2.2 days, on 22 days, and on 32 days annually. The average window for freezing temperatures is September 22 thru May 16 and for measurable (≥) snow, October 26 thru April 19. Due to the relative aridity, there are only 2.8 days where 24-hour snowfall exceeds . With a period of record dating only to 1893, extreme temperatures range from as recently as January 12, 2011 to on July 6, 1936.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 17,787 people, 7,521 households, and 4,308 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 7,865 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% White, 1.0% African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population. It is estimated Dickinson has currently grown close to 35,000 people, due to the boom of the Bakken Oil Shale
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 census of 2000, there were 16,010 people, 6,517 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of . 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 other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.
The top 6 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.
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)
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 Independence League Baseball
Notable people
Kelly Armstrong, born in Dickinson, 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
References
External links
Dickinson Convention and Visitor's Bureau
Cities in North Dakota
Dickinson, North Dakota micropolitan area
Cities in Stark County, North Dakota
County seats in North Dakota
Populated places established in 1881
1881 establishments in Dakota Territory