Benson County, North Dakota

Benson County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 6,660.[1] Its county seat is Minnewaukan.[2] The county was created on March 9, 1883[3] by the Dakota Territory legislature, and was named for Bertil W. Benson, a Dakota Territory legislator at the time. The county government was organized on June 4, 1884, and its boundary lines were altered by two legislative actions in 1885.[4]

Benson County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°04′N 99°22′W
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedMarch 9, 1883 (created)
June 4, 1884 (organized)
Named forBertil W. Benson
SeatMinnewaukan
Largest communityFort Totten
Area
 • Total1,439 sq mi (3,730 km2)
 • Land1,389 sq mi (3,600 km2)
 • Water51 sq mi (130 km2)  3.5%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total6,660
 • Estimate 
(2019)
6,832
 • Density4.6/sq mi (1.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.bensoncountynd.com

White Horse Hill National Game Preserve and much of the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation are located within the county.

Geography

Much of the east boundary line of Benson County is delineated by the shore of Devils Lake, a closed-capture lake which would spill into the Sheyenne River in an overflow condition. The North Fork Sheyenne River flows southeasterly through the lower SW portion of the county.

The terrain of Benson County consists of rolling hills dotted with lakes, ponds and drainages.[5] The terrain slopes to the east, and its highest point is on the lower portion of its west boundary line, at 1,624' (495m) ASL.[6] The county has a total area of 1,439 square miles (3,730 km2), of which 1,389 square miles (3,600 km2) is land and 51 square miles (130 km2) (3.5%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Protected areas

Lakes[5]
  • Broken Bone Lake
  • Cranberry Lake
  • Free Peoples Lake
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Lake Murie
  • Lake Yri
  • Long Lake
  • Sand Lake
  • Shin Bone Lake
  • Spring Lake
  • Stink Lake
  • Stony Lake
  • Wood Lake

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18902,460—
19008,320238.2%
191012,68152.4%
192013,0953.3%
193013,3271.8%
194012,629−5.2%
195010,675−15.5%
19609,435−11.6%
19708,245−12.6%
19807,944−3.7%
19907,198−9.4%
20006,964−3.3%
20106,660−4.4%
2019 (est.)6,832[8]2.6%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 6,964 people, 2,328 households, and 1,701 families in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 2,932 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was mostly White (50.85%) and Native American (48.05%). In addition, 0.10% are Black/African American, 0.01% are Asian, 0.01% are Pacific Islander, 0.16% are from other races, and 0.82% are from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.2% were of Norwegian and 14.8% German ancestry.

There were 2,328 households, out of which 38.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 16.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.48.

The county population contained 36.10% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,688, and the median income for a family was $31,558. Males had a median income of $23,056 versus $17,862 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,509. About 24.40% of families and 29.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.90% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,660 people, 2,233 households, and 1,628 families in the county.[13] The population density was 4.8 inhabitants per square mile (1.9/km2). There were 2,950 housing units at an average density of 2.1 per square mile (0.81/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 55.0% American Indian, 43.4% white, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 22.0% were Norwegian, 18.0% were German, 5.0% were Irish, and 0.6% were American.[15]

Of the 2,233 households, 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.1% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.46. The median age was 31.6 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $30,479 and the median income for a family was $34,597. Males had a median income of $31,729 versus $25,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,545. About 26.1% of families and 35.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.3% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Population by decade

Communities

Cities and CDPs have population included as of 2010, and townships have the population as of 2000. The largest community by far is Fort Totten, followed by Leeds, Maddock and the county seat, Minnewaukan. There are nine cities in the county. The largest township by a 60% margin is Mission (1077), which is on the south shore of Devils Lake and is popular for vacationing, as well as gambling at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort. It is within the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. It is followed by Wood Lake Township (440), immediately to the south of Mission Township and also included in the reservation. The third largest is Lallie Township (364), to the west of Fort Totten on the south shore of Devils Lake and within the reservation.

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics

Typical of many counties in the state where a significant share of the population is Native American, Benson County leans Democratic in presidential elections. Prior to 2020, no Republican candidate had won the majority of the county's votes since Ronald Reagan in 1984. However, George W. Bush in 2000 & Donald Trump in 2016 both won a plurality of the county's votes.

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 55.8% 1,094 41.9% 822 2.3% 45
2016 46.2% 929 41.9% 842 11.9% 240
2012 40.2% 868 57.3% 1,235 2.5% 54
2008 32.6% 773 66.1% 1,569 1.4% 32
2004 44.6% 1,002 53.3% 1,196 2.1% 48
2000 49.0% 1,055 44.2% 952 6.8% 147
1996 39.1% 850 48.8% 1,059 12.1% 263
1992 33.3% 874 42.9% 1,126 23.8% 625
1988 43.4% 1,316 55.8% 1,691 0.8% 24
1984 51.4% 1,729 47.6% 1,599 1.0% 35
1980 59.9% 2,149 31.2% 1,119 8.9% 319
1976 45.3% 1,689 53.0% 1,973 1.7% 63
1972 55.1% 2,050 43.9% 1,635 1.0% 36
1968 46.9% 1,707 48.6% 1,772 4.5% 164
1964 36.7% 1,489 63.2% 2,566 0.1% 5
1960 50.8% 2,259 49.1% 2,181 0.1% 3
1956 55.7% 2,340 44.0% 1,851 0.3% 12
1952 69.6% 3,192 29.5% 1,353 0.9% 39
1948 44.3% 1,920 51.2% 2,216 4.5% 195
1944 43.0% 1,726 56.4% 2,261 0.6% 23
1940 45.9% 2,485 53.5% 2,898 0.7% 37
1936 19.0% 1,020 62.3% 3,343 18.7% 1,000
1932 23.8% 1,170 74.2% 3,650 2.0% 97
1928 53.8% 2,621 45.0% 2,194 1.2% 57
1924 45.0% 1,870 5.9% 246 49.1% 2,040
1920 81.1% 3,540 15.6% 680 3.3% 145
1916 53.3% 1,210 40.6% 922 6.1% 138
1912 26.1% 515 30.1% 594 43.7% 862
1908 67.8% 1,363 27.5% 553 4.7% 94
1904 85.6% 1,111 11.0% 143 3.4% 44
1900 75.5% 1,084 22.2% 319 2.3% 33

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Another source shows the county's creation in 1879: ND Government - State History/Benson County (accessed 13 February 2019)
  4. "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  5. Benson County ND Google Maps (accessed 13 February 2019)
  6. ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps - Benson County ND (accessed 13 February 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  9. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  13. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  15. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  16. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  • Benson County maps, Sheet 1 (eastern) and Sheet 2 (western), North Dakota DOT

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