Grand Forks County, North Dakota

Grand Forks County, North Dakota
Grand Forks County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, its population was 73,170, making it the third-most populous county in North Dakota. Its county seat and largest community is Grand Forks.
History
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.
Grand Forks County is included in the Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
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. The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is a hill at its southwestern corner, at ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.2%) is water.
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 wildlife management area at the station, to monitor whitetail deer activity in the forest. 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.
Major highways
Interstate 29
U.S. Highway 2
U.S. Highway 81
North Dakota Highway 15
North Dakota Highway 18
North Dakota Highway 32
Transit
Amtrak Empire Builder (Grand Forks station)
Cities Area Transit
Jefferson Lines
Adjacent counties
Walsh County - north
Marshall County, Minnesota - northeast
Polk County, Minnesota - east
Traill County - southeast
Steele County - southwest
Nelson County - west
Protected areas
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
Fordville Dam
Larimore Dam
Smith Lakes
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 73,170 people, 33,428 households, and 31,152 families in the county.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 66,861 people, 27,417 households, and 15,215 families in the county. The population density was . There were 29,344 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 90.3% white, 2.5% American Indian, 2.0% black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% 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
Communities
Cities
Emerado
Gilby
Grand Forks (county seat)
Inkster
Larimore
Manvel
Niagara
Northwood
Reynolds (part)
Thompson
Census-designated places
Grand Forks AFB
Other communities
Arvilla
Emerado
Forest River Colony
Hannah Junction
Johnstown
Kelly
Kempton
Logan Center
McCanna
Mekinock
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
Politics
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.
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Grand Forks County, North Dakota
References
External links
Grand Forks County official website
Grand Forks County maps, Sheet 1 (northern) and Sheet 2 (southern), North Dakota DOT
Greater Grand Forks
1875 establishments in Dakota Territory
Populated places established in 1875