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Benson County, North Dakota

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Benson County
County
Benson County Courthouse in Minnewaukan
Benson County Courthouse in Minnewaukan
Map of North Dakota highlighting Benson County
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°04′18.275″N 99°21′4.147″W / 48.07174306°N 99.35115194°W / 48.07174306; -99.35115194
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedMarch 9, 1883 (created)
June 4, 1884 (organized)
Named afterBertil W. Benson
SeatMinnewaukan
Largest communityFort Totten
Area
 • Total
1,439.396 sq mi (3,728.02 km2)
 • Land1,388.555 sq mi (3,596.34 km2)
 • Water50.841 sq mi (131.68 km2)  3.53%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,964
 • Estimate 
(2024)
5,756 Decrease
 • Density4.147/sq mi (1.601/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitebensoncountynd.com

Benson County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,964,[1] and was estimated to be 5,756 in 2024.[2] Its county seat is Minnewaukan.[3] The county was created on March 9, 1883[4] 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.[5][6]

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

Geography

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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.[7] The terrain slopes to the east, and its highest point is on the lower portion of its west boundary line, at 1,624 ft (495 m) ASL.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,439.396 square miles (3,728.02 km2), of which 1,388.555 square miles (3,596.34 km2) is land and 50.841 square miles (131.68 km2) (3.53%) is water.[9] It is the 19th largest county in North Dakota by total area.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Protected areas

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Lakes

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  • 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

[7]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
20205,964−10.5%
2024 (est.)5,756[10]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2020[2]

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Benson County was $88,100.[15]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 1,922 estimated households in Benson County with an average of 3.04 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $68,049. Approximately 22.7% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Benson County has an estimated 52.2% employment rate, with 22.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 88.5% holding a high school diploma.[2]

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (91.9%), Spanish (1.1%), Indo-European (0.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.6%), and Other (5.8%).

The median age in the county was 32.4 years.

Benson 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[16] Pop. 1990[17] Pop. 2000[18] Pop. 2010[19] Pop. 2020[20]
White alone (NH) 5,606
(70.57%)		 4,408
(61.24%)		 3,533
(50.73%)		 2,861
(42.96%)		 2,532
(42.45%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 1
(0.01%)		 0
(0.00%)		 7
(0.10%)		 1
(0.02%)		 2
(0.03%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2,309
(29.07%)		 2,760
(38.34%)		 3,312
(47.56%)		 3,631
(54.52%)		 3,190
(53.49%)
Asian alone (NH) 1
(0.01%)		 3
(0.04%)		 1
(0.01%)		 3
(0.05%)		 7
(0.12%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 1
(0.01%)		 1
(0.02%)		 0
(0.00%)
Other race alone (NH) 0
(0.00%)		 3
(0.04%)		 0
(0.00%)		 0
(0.00%)		 1
(0.02%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 55
(0.79%)		 86
(1.29%)		 143
(2.40%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 27
(0.34%)		 24
(0.33%)		 55
(0.79%)		 77
(1.16%)		 89
(1.49%)
Total 7,944
(100.00%)		 7,198
(100.00%)		 6,964
(100.00%)		 6,660
(100.00%)		 5,964
(100.00%)

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 5,964 people, 2,015 households, and 1,364 families residing in the county.[21] The population density was 4.3 inhabitants per square mile (1.7/km2). There were 2,542 housing units at an average density of 1.8 inhabitants per square mile (0.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 42.62% White, 0.12% African American, 53.92% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from some other races and 2.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.49% of the population.[22]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 6,660 people, 2,233 households, and 1,628 families residing in the county. 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 inhabitants per square mile (0.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 43.38% White, 0.02% African American, 55.00% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from some other races and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.16% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 22.0% were Norwegian, 18.0% were German, 5.0% were Irish, and 0.6% were American.

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.

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.

Population by decade

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Communities

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Cities and CDPs have population included as of 2020, and townships have the population as of 2020. 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 (935), 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 (471), immediately to the south of Mission Township and also included in the reservation. The third largest is Lallie Township (325), to the west of Fort Totten on the south shore of Devils Lake and within the reservation.

Cities

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Politics

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Typical of many counties in the state where a significant share of the population is Native American, Benson County used to lean 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. In 2020, Trump won a majority of the county's votes, gaining nearly 56% of the county's votes, and in 2024 he further increased his vote share, gaining over 58% of the votes.

United States presidential election results for Benson County, North Dakota[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,163 58.09% 795 39.71% 44 2.20%
2020 1,094 55.79% 822 41.92% 45 2.29%
2016 929 46.20% 842 41.87% 240 11.93%
2012 868 40.24% 1,235 57.26% 54 2.50%
2008 773 32.56% 1,569 66.09% 32 1.35%
2004 1,002 44.61% 1,196 53.25% 48 2.14%
2000 1,055 48.98% 952 44.20% 147 6.82%
1996 850 39.13% 1,059 48.76% 263 12.11%
1992 874 33.30% 1,126 42.90% 625 23.81%
1988 1,316 43.42% 1,691 55.79% 24 0.79%
1984 1,729 51.41% 1,599 47.55% 35 1.04%
1980 2,149 59.91% 1,119 31.20% 319 8.89%
1976 1,689 45.34% 1,973 52.97% 63 1.69%
1972 2,050 55.09% 1,635 43.94% 36 0.97%
1968 1,707 46.86% 1,772 48.64% 164 4.50%
1964 1,489 36.67% 2,566 63.20% 5 0.12%
1960 2,259 50.84% 2,181 49.09% 3 0.07%
1956 2,340 55.67% 1,851 44.04% 12 0.29%
1952 3,192 69.63% 1,353 29.52% 39 0.85%
1948 1,920 44.33% 2,216 51.17% 195 4.50%
1944 1,726 43.04% 2,261 56.38% 23 0.57%
1940 2,485 45.85% 2,898 53.47% 37 0.68%
1936 1,020 19.02% 3,343 62.33% 1,000 18.65%
1932 1,170 23.79% 3,650 74.23% 97 1.97%
1928 2,621 53.80% 2,194 45.03% 57 1.17%
1924 1,870 45.00% 246 5.92% 2,040 49.09%
1920 3,540 81.10% 680 15.58% 145 3.32%
1916 1,210 53.30% 922 40.62% 138 6.08%
1912 515 26.13% 594 30.14% 862 43.73%
1908 1,363 67.81% 553 27.51% 94 4.68%
1904 1,111 85.59% 143 11.02% 44 3.39%
1900 1,084 75.49% 319 22.21% 33 2.30%

Education

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School districts include:[24]

K-12:

Elementary districts:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Benson County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  4. ^ Another source shows the county's creation in 1879: ND Government - State History/Benson County (accessed February 13, 2019)
  5. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  6. ^ "County History". www.nd.gov. State of North Dakota. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Benson County ND Google Maps (accessed February 13, 2019)
  8. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps - Benson County ND (accessed February 13, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  10. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  13. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  15. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  16. ^ "Benson County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  17. ^ "Benson County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Benson County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Benson County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Benson County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  21. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  22. ^ "How many people live in Benson County, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Benson County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text, 2010 map, 2010 text list
[edit]
  • Benson County maps, Sheet 1 (eastern) and Sheet 2 (western), North Dakota DOT
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