Wells County, North Dakota

Wells County, North Dakota
Map of North Dakota highlighting Wells County
Location in the state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location in the U.S.
Founded August 28, 1884
Seat Fessenden
Largest city Harvey
Area
 • Total 1,290 sq mi (3,341 km2)
 • Land 1,271 sq mi (3,292 km2)
 • Water 19 sq mi (49 km2), 1.5%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 4,168
 • Density 3.3/sq mi (1/km²)
Congressional district At-large
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.wellscountynd.com

Wells County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,207.[1] Its county seat is Fessenden.[2] The county was created by the 1872-73 territorial legislature and named after Edward Payson Wells, a Jamestown banker, early promoter of the James River Valley, and member of the legislature in 1881. The county government was organized on August 28, 1884.[3] The county seat was Sykeston from 1884 to 1894, after which time Fessenden was given the title.[4]

The center of population of North Dakota is located in the extreme southeastern corner of Wells County, about 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Sykeston.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,290 square miles (3,300 km2), of which 1,271 square miles (3,290 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (1.5%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18901,212—
19008,310585.6%
191011,81442.2%
192012,9579.7%
193013,2852.5%
194011,198−15.7%
195010,417−7.0%
19609,237−11.3%
19707,847−15.0%
19806,979−11.1%
19905,864−16.0%
20005,102−13.0%
20104,207−17.5%
Est. 20154,168[8]−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,102 people, 2,215 households, and 1,453 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 inhabitants per square mile (2/km2). There were 2,643 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.12% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. 0.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 59.5% were of German and 24.1% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 2,215 households out of which 25.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 4.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 32.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.60% 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 2.85.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.50% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 26.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,894, and the median income for a family was $39,284. Males had a median income of $27,277 versus $16,810 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,932. About 10.30% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.10% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,207 people, 1,943 households, and 1,223 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 3.3 inhabitants per square mile (1.3/km2). There were 2,481 housing units at an average density of 2.0 per square mile (0.77/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 98.9% white, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.5% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 65.9% were German, 25.9% were Norwegian, 6.7% were Irish, and 1.8% were American.[15]

Of the 1,943 households, 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.1% were non-families, and 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.67. The median age was 51.5 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,136 and the median income for a family was $52,400. Males had a median income of $38,442 versus $25,597 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,531. About 6.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Communities

Cities

Townships

  • Berlin
  • Bilodeau
  • Bremen
  • Bull Moose
  • Cathay
  • Chaseley
  • Crystal Lake
  • Delger
  • Fairville
  • Forward
  • Fram
  • Germantown
  • Haaland
  • Hamburg
  • Hawksnest
  • Heimdal
  • Hillsdale
  • Johnson
  • Lynn
  • Manfred
  • Norway Lake
  • Oshkosh
  • Pony Gulch
  • Progress
  • Rusland
  • Saint Anna
  • Silver Lake
  • South Cottonwood
  • Speedwell
  • Sykeston
  • Valhalla
  • Wells
  • West Norway
  • West Ontario
  • Western
  • Woodward

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Centers of Population by State". United States Census Bureau, Geography Division. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  7. ↑ Google map of Wells County
  8. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  14. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  15. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  16. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  17. ↑

External links

 Pierce County Benson County
Sheridan County Eddy County and Foster County
   Wells County, North Dakota  
Kidder County Stutsman County

Coordinates: 47°35′N 99°40′W / 47.58°N 99.67°W / 47.58; -99.67

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