Grand Forks County, North Dakota | |
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 TheGrand 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 ofNorth Dakota | |
 North Dakota's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:47°55′34″N97°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 acounty in theU.S. state ofNorth Dakota. As of the2020 census, the population was 73,170,[1] and was estimated to be 73,771 in 2024,[2] making it thethird-most populous county in North Dakota. Thecounty seat and the largest city isGrand Forks.[3]
Using territory annexed fromPembina County, theDakota 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 theGreater Grand Forks (officially theGrand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area).
According to theUnited 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 ofMinnesota (across theRed River). The Red River flows northward along the county's east border, on its way toLake Winnipeg andHudson Bay. TheForest 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]
TheUniversity 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]
Source:[7]
Source:[7]
| 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 2023American 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 thepoverty 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 orAlaska 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%) |
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]
As of the2020 census, there were 73,170 people, 30,658 households, and 16,186 families residing in the county.[23] Thepopulation 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]
As of the2010 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% wereGerman, 33.8% wereNorwegian, 9.5% wereIrish, 5.8% werePolish, 5.3% wereEnglish, and 2.9% wereAmerican.
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 thepoverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
Source:[7]
| 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 |
Like all parts of North Dakota other than areas withreservations, 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.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 2,603 | 61.33% | 1,532 | 36.10% | 109 | 2.57% |
| 1904 | 2,807 | 73.16% | 828 | 21.58% | 202 | 5.26% |
| 1908 | 2,740 | 57.41% | 1,750 | 36.66% | 283 | 5.93% |
| 1912 | 955 | 23.88% | 1,492 | 37.31% | 1,552 | 38.81% |
| 1916 | 2,159 | 41.94% | 2,814 | 54.66% | 175 | 3.40% |
| 1920 | 7,646 | 74.00% | 2,527 | 24.46% | 159 | 1.54% |
| 1924 | 6,690 | 62.81% | 943 | 8.85% | 3,018 | 28.34% |
| 1928 | 8,024 | 64.86% | 4,300 | 34.76% | 47 | 0.38% |
| 1932 | 5,090 | 39.46% | 7,579 | 58.75% | 231 | 1.79% |
| 1936 | 4,312 | 29.64% | 9,222 | 63.39% | 1,015 | 6.98% |
| 1940 | 7,043 | 45.42% | 8,396 | 54.15% | 67 | 0.43% |
| 1944 | 5,668 | 42.19% | 7,707 | 57.37% | 59 | 0.44% |
| 1948 | 6,374 | 46.23% | 6,996 | 50.74% | 419 | 3.04% |
| 1952 | 10,939 | 65.65% | 5,639 | 33.84% | 84 | 0.50% |
| 1956 | 10,289 | 62.17% | 6,231 | 37.65% | 30 | 0.18% |
| 1960 | 10,997 | 56.85% | 8,341 | 43.12% | 5 | 0.03% |
| 1964 | 7,367 | 40.53% | 10,740 | 59.09% | 68 | 0.37% |
| 1968 | 9,802 | 52.00% | 7,695 | 40.82% | 1,352 | 7.17% |
| 1972 | 13,361 | 56.92% | 9,416 | 40.11% | 698 | 2.97% |
| 1976 | 13,820 | 52.71% | 11,545 | 44.03% | 853 | 3.25% |
| 1980 | 14,257 | 57.65% | 6,997 | 28.29% | 3,477 | 14.06% |
| 1984 | 15,898 | 60.70% | 10,050 | 38.37% | 243 | 0.93% |
| 1988 | 14,801 | 53.76% | 12,494 | 45.38% | 236 | 0.86% |
| 1992 | 13,705 | 44.06% | 10,930 | 35.14% | 6,469 | 20.80% |
| 1996 | 11,606 | 44.92% | 11,376 | 44.03% | 2,854 | 11.05% |
| 2000 | 15,875 | 55.93% | 10,593 | 37.32% | 1,917 | 6.75% |
| 2004 | 17,298 | 56.77% | 12,646 | 41.50% | 526 | 1.73% |
| 2008 | 14,520 | 46.34% | 16,104 | 51.40% | 709 | 2.26% |
| 2012 | 15,060 | 50.15% | 14,032 | 46.73% | 937 | 3.12% |
| 2016 | 16,340 | 53.81% | 10,851 | 35.74% | 3,174 | 10.45% |
| 2020 | 16,987 | 54.85% | 12,880 | 41.59% | 1,105 | 3.57% |
| 2024 | 18,123 | 57.70% | 12,469 | 39.70% | 819 | 2.61% |
K-12 school districts include:[28]
Elementary school districts include:[28]
Places adjacent to Grand Forks County, North Dakota | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofGrand Forks County, North Dakota,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| Surrounding areas | ||
† -county seat | ||
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| National | |
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