Mercer County, North Dakota

Mercer County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 8,424.[1] Its county seat is Stanton.[2]

Not to be confused with Mercer, North Dakota.

Mercer County
U.S. county
Cities of Mercer, left-to-right, up-to-down; Beulah, Golden Valley, Hazen, Pick City, Stanton, and Zap
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°18′N 101°49′W
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 14, 1875 (created)
November 6, 1883 (organized)
Named forW. H. H. Mercer
SeatStanton
Largest cityBeulah
Area
 • Total1,112 sq mi (2,880 km2)
 • Land1,043 sq mi (2,700 km2)
 • Water70 sq mi (200 km2)  6.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,424
 • Estimate 
(2019)
8,187
 • Density7.6/sq mi (2.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.mercercountynd.com

History

The Dakota Territory legislature enacted an January 8, 1873 law to create a county named Mercer, whose boundaries would be identical to Pratt (a now-extinct county). This county did not come into existence, as the 1873 act was nullified on January 14, 1875 by the legislature. On that date the legislature created another Mercer County, from previously unorganized territory. The county was named for William Henry Harrison Mercer,[3] (1844–1901), a rancher who settled north of Bismarck in 1869. The unorganized county was not attached to another county for judicial or administrative purposes; this condition continued until November 6, 1883, when the county government was organized.

The county boundaries were altered in 1879, 1881, 1885, 1892, and 1901. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since 1901.[4][5]

Geography

The northern boundary of Mercer County is delineated by Lake Sakakawea, created in 1956 on the Missouri River. The county's eastern boundary is delineated by the river as it flows southeastward from the dam that created the lake. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, largely devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is near the midpoint of its southern boundary, at 2,451' (747m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 1,112 square miles (2,880 km2), of which 1,043 square miles (2,700 km2) is land and 70 square miles (180 km2) (6.3%) is water.[8]

The southwestern corner counties of North Dakota (Adams, Billings, Bowman, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, Slope, Stark) observe Mountain Time. The counties of McKenzie, Dunn, and Sioux counties are split, with their northern portions observing Central Time and the southern portions observing Mountain Time.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[6]

Lake

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1890428—
19001,778315.4%
19104,747167.0%
19208,22473.2%
19309,51615.7%
19409,6111.0%
19508,686−9.6%
19606,805−21.7%
19706,175−9.3%
19809,40452.3%
19909,8084.3%
20008,644−11.9%
20108,424−2.5%
2019 (est.)8,187[9]−2.8%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 8,644 people, 3,346 households, and 2,445 families in the county. The population density was 8.29/sqmi (3.20/km2). There were 4,402 housing units at an average density of 4.22/sqmi (1.63/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.04% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 2.00% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 68.8% were of German and 8.2% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 3,346 households, out of which 37.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.20% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.05.

The county population contained 29.10% under the age of 18, 4.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 101.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,269, and the median income for a family was $51,983. Males had a median income of $47,969 versus $21,667 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,256. About 5.50% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.20% of those under age 18 and 20.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,424 people, 3,625 households, and 2,500 families in the county.[14] The population density was 8.08/sqmi (3.12/km2). There were 4,450 housing units at an average density of 4.27/sqmi (1.65/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% white, 2.3% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 64.7% were German, 21.5% were Norwegian, 6.6% were Russian, 6.2% were Irish, and 2.2% were American.[16]

Of the 3,625 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.0% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.3 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $60,191 and the median income for a family was $71,075. Males had a median income of $63,321 versus $32,294 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,616. About 4.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Communities

Politics

Mercer County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 82.5% 3,856 15.1% 704 2.5% 115
2016 80.3% 3,759 13.3% 621 6.5% 302
2012 70.8% 3,152 26.2% 1,166 3.1% 137
2008 63.4% 2,789 33.6% 1,476 3.0% 132
2004 71.2% 3,285 27.0% 1,245 1.9% 87
2000 68.6% 2,984 23.2% 1,011 8.2% 358
1996 48.3% 1,953 32.2% 1,300 19.5% 789
1992 45.3% 2,274 26.4% 1,323 28.3% 1,420
1988 61.5% 3,013 37.6% 1,843 0.9% 46
1984 67.2% 3,705 31.4% 1,729 1.4% 76
1980 68.0% 3,224 25.5% 1,209 6.5% 308
1976 59.8% 1,982 39.1% 1,298 1.1% 36
1972 74.3% 2,567 22.7% 784 3.0% 105
1968 69.4% 2,039 24.8% 730 5.8% 170
1964 54.0% 1,540 46.0% 1,310
1960 73.9% 2,395 26.1% 844
1956 79.2% 2,555 20.6% 666 0.2% 6
1952 85.0% 2,994 14.5% 512 0.5% 18
1948 75.3% 2,219 21.8% 643 2.9% 86
1944 84.7% 2,504 15.1% 445 0.2% 7
1940 85.4% 3,341 14.5% 567 0.2% 6
1936 31.6% 1,142 53.2% 1,924 15.3% 553
1932 16.0% 480 83.2% 2,491 0.7% 22
1928 37.5% 971 62.4% 1,619 0.1% 3
1924 25.0% 522 3.4% 70 71.6% 1,494
1920 87.3% 1,786 8.4% 172 4.4% 89
1916 64.2% 730 31.0% 353 4.8% 55
1912 20.0% 147 19.3% 142 60.8% 448
1908 81.1% 430 18.1% 96 0.8% 4
1904 93.3% 252 6.3% 17 0.4% 1
1900 86.8% 269 13.2% 41

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 205.
  4. "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  5. Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies/Mercer County ND (accessed February 26, 2019)
  6. Mercer County ND Google Maps (accessed February 26, 2019)
  7. ""Find an Altitude/Mercer County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 26, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  14. "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.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  16. "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.
  17. "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.
  18. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  • Mercer County maps, Sheet 1 (northern) and Sheet 2 (southern), North Dakota DOT

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