Walsh County, North Dakota

Walsh County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,563.[1] Its county seat is Grafton.[2]

Walsh County
Walsh County Courthouse
Map of North Dakota highlighting Walsh 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°22′37.124″N 97°43′20.027″W / 48.37697889°N 97.72222972°W / 48.37697889; -97.72222972
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedMay 2, 1881 (created)
August 30, 1881 (organized)
Named forGeorge H. Walsh
SeatGrafton
Largest cityGrafton
Area
 • Total
1,294.032 sq mi (3,351.53 km2)
 • Land1,281.607 sq mi (3,319.35 km2)
 • Water12.425 sq mi (32.18 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,563
 • Estimate 
(2023)
10,305 Decrease
 • Density8.042/sq mi (3.105/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewalshcountynd.com

History

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The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on May 2, 1881, with areas partitioned from Grand and Pembina counties. It was organized on August 30 of that same year, with Grafton as county seat.[3][4] It was named for George H. Walsh (1845–1913), a newspaperman and politician in Grand Forks.

In 1946, Walsh County was the site of one of North Dakota's deadliest tornadoes.[5] The storm killed 11 people, including eight in Walsh County, one in Manitoba, and two in Minnesota.[5]

 
Outline map of Walsh County, North Dakota, 1910

Geography

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Walsh County lies on the eastern side of North Dakota. Its eastern boundary line abuts the western boundary line of the state of Minnesota (across the Red River). The Red River flows northward along the east side of the county on its way to Hudson Bay in Canada. The south branch of the Park River flows eastward through the county to discharge into the Red on the east side of the county.[6] The terrain generally slopes to the north and east, but the highest point is its northwestern corner, at 1,647 ft (502 m) ASL.[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,294.032 square miles (3,351.53 km2), of which 1,281.607 square miles (3,319.35 km2) is land and 12.425 square miles (32.18 km2) (0.9%) is water.[8]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Ardoch National Wildlife Refuge
  • Fairdale Slough National Waterfowl Production Area
  • National Waterfowl Production Area
  • North Salt Lake State Game Management Area
  • Fairdale Slough
  • Homme Lake
  • North Salt Lake
  • Salt Lake
  • Waterloo Lake

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
189016,587
190020,28822.3%
191019,491−3.9%
192019,087−2.1%
193020,0475.0%
194020,7473.5%
195018,859−9.1%
196017,997−4.6%
197016,251−9.7%
198015,371−5.4%
199013,840−10.0%
200012,389−10.5%
201011,119−10.3%
202010,563−5.0%
2023 (est.)10,305[9]−2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

As of the first quarter of 2024, the median home value in Walsh County was $123,610, an increase of _% from the prior year.[14]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 4,467 estimated households in Walsh County with an average of 2.27 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $68,082. Approximately 9.7% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Walsh County has an estimated 64.3% employment rate, with 17.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 86.9% holding a high school diploma.[15]

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 (91.8%), Spanish (6.1%), Indo-European (1.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.2%), and Other (0.3%).

The median age in the county was 44.6 years.

Walsh 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) 15,005
(97.62%)
13,231
(95.60%)
11,436
(92.31%)
9,834
(88.44%)
8,676
(82.14%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 4
(0.03%)
17
(0.12%)
24
(0.19%)
24
(0.22%)
69
(0.65%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 97
(0.63%)
97
(0.70%)
120
(0.97%)
153
(1.38%)
136
(1.29%)
Asian alone (NH) 23
(0.15%)
54
(0.39%)
22
(0.18%)
36
(0.32%)
45
(0.43%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2
(0.02%)
4
(0.04%)
0
(0.00%)
Other race alone (NH) 18
(0.12%)
0
(0.00%)
1
(0.01%)
3
(0.03%)
31
(0.29%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 84
(0.68%)
96
(0.86%)
290
(2.75%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 224
(1.46%)
441
(3.19%)
700
(5.65%)
969
(8.71%)
1,316
(12.46%)
Total 15,371
(100.00%)
13,840
(100.00%)
12,389
(100.00%)
11,119
(100.00%)
10,563
(100.00%)

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 10,563 people, 4,493 households, and 2,738 families residing in the county.[21] The population density was 8.2 inhabitants per square mile (3.2/km2). There were 5,202 housing units at an average density of 4.06 inhabitants per square mile (1.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.01% White, 0.67% African American, 1.37% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.94% from some other races and 7.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 12.46% of the population.[22] 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.0% were under 5 years of age, and 22.9% were 65 and older.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 11,119 people, 4,746 households, and 3,021 families in the county. The population density was 8.67 inhabitants per square mile (3.3/km2). There were 5,498 housing units at an average density of 4.29 inhabitants per square mile (1.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.45% White, 0.22% African American, 1.51% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.10% from some other races and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.71% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 39.7% were Norwegian, 21.6% were German, 11.0% were Polish, 9.4% were Irish, 9.3% were Czech, 5.8% were English, and 5.4% were American.

Of the 4,746 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.3% were non-families, and 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 45.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,139 and the median income for a family was $58,429. Males had a median income of $36,934 versus $26,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,829. About 5.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

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Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Township Numbers and Range Numbers[23]
Range 59 Range 58 Range 57 Range 56 Range 55 Range 54 Range 53 Range 52 Range 51 Range 50
Township 155 Sauter Perth Cleveland Medford Eden Ops Forest River Ardoch Walshville Walshville
Township 156 Shepherd Latona Norton Vernon Rushford Prairie Centre Walsh Centre Harriston Pulaski Pulaski
Township 157 Dewey Adams Vesta Golden Kensington Township Fertile Grafton Oakwood Acton Acton
Township 158 St. Andrews St. Andrews Martin Farmington Glenwood Dundee Lampton Tiber Silvesta Kinloss

Politics

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Walsh County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Walsh County, North Dakota[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,324 69.50% 1,333 27.87% 126 2.63%
2016 2,995 64.60% 1,167 25.17% 474 10.22%
2012 2,656 55.44% 1,985 41.43% 150 3.13%
2008 2,415 49.47% 2,325 47.62% 142 2.91%
2004 3,194 61.59% 1,905 36.73% 87 1.68%
2000 3,099 59.80% 1,743 33.64% 340 6.56%
1996 2,222 44.99% 2,082 42.15% 635 12.86%
1992 2,544 43.09% 1,936 32.79% 1,424 24.12%
1988 3,250 54.48% 2,646 44.35% 70 1.17%
1984 4,347 64.84% 2,264 33.77% 93 1.39%
1980 4,488 64.69% 1,850 26.66% 600 8.65%
1976 3,518 48.13% 3,555 48.64% 236 3.23%
1972 3,991 56.29% 2,908 41.02% 191 2.69%
1968 3,410 50.06% 2,948 43.28% 454 6.66%
1964 2,454 33.27% 4,911 66.58% 11 0.15%
1960 4,036 50.16% 4,009 49.82% 2 0.02%
1956 3,946 54.81% 3,238 44.97% 16 0.22%
1952 4,761 57.33% 3,494 42.08% 49 0.59%
1948 2,646 37.63% 4,170 59.31% 215 3.06%
1944 2,471 34.07% 4,747 65.46% 34 0.47%
1940 3,051 35.61% 5,499 64.18% 18 0.21%
1936 1,813 22.15% 5,756 70.32% 616 7.53%
1932 1,616 22.31% 5,342 73.74% 286 3.95%
1928 3,657 48.94% 3,798 50.83% 17 0.23%
1924 2,837 49.17% 917 15.89% 2,016 34.94%
1920 4,581 67.13% 2,047 30.00% 196 2.87%
1916 1,670 43.81% 2,003 52.54% 139 3.65%
1912 586 20.33% 1,206 41.85% 1,090 37.82%
1908 1,751 49.46% 1,641 46.36% 148 4.18%
1904 2,042 61.97% 1,113 33.78% 140 4.25%
1900 1,807 49.41% 1,804 49.33% 46 1.26%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "County History". North Dakota.gov. The State of North Dakota. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Jackson, William (2024). North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones. Dickinson, ND: Vally Star Publications. p. 27. ISBN 979-8-89480-378-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ a b "Walsh County · North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Walsh County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 24, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States 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". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  14. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Walsh County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  16. ^ "Walsh County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Walsh County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Walsh County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walsh County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Walsh County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  22. ^ "How many people live in Walsh County, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Earth Point".
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
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48°22′N 97°43′W / 48.37°N 97.72°W / 48.37; -97.72