Foster County, North Dakota

Foster County
County
Foster County Courthouse in Carrington, North Dakota.
Foster County Courthouse in Carrington, North Dakota.
Map of North Dakota highlighting Foster 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: 47°28′N 98°53′W / 47.46°N 98.89°W / 47.46; -98.89
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 4, 1873 (created)
October 11, 1883 (organized)
SeatCarrington
Largest cityCarrington
Area
 • Total647 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Land635 sq mi (1,640 km2)
 • Water11 sq mi (30 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total3,397
 • Estimate 
(2022)
3,378 Decrease
 • Density5.3/sq mi (2.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.fostercounty.com

Foster County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,397.[1] Its county seat is Carrington.[2]

History

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The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with lands partitioned from Pembina County. It was named for George I. Foster, a pioneer and member of the Territorial legislature.[3] Its governing structure was not completed at that time, and it was not attached to another county for administrative purposes. Its boundaries were altered in 1881, two times in 1883, and finally in 1885 its boundary was set at the present configuration. Its county organization was effected on October 11, 1883.[4][5]

Geography

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The James River flows south-southeastward through the central part of Foster County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, mostly devoted to agriculture, its eastern portion dotted with lakes and ponds.[6] The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is at its southwestern corner, at 1,942 ft (592 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680 km2), of which 635 square miles (1,640 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.8%) is water.[8] It is the second-smallest county in North Dakota by area.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Lakes

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Source:[6]

  • Blue Cloud Lake
  • Jack Lake
  • Juanita Lake
  • Lake Bonita
  • Lake George
  • Russell Lake

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188037—
18901,2103,170.3%
19003,770211.6%
19105,31340.9%
19206,10815.0%
19306,3534.0%
19405,824−8.3%
19505,337−8.4%
19605,3610.4%
19704,832−9.9%
19804,611−4.6%
19903,983−13.6%
20003,759−5.6%
20103,343−11.1%
20203,3971.6%
2022 (est.)3,378[9]−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020, there were 3,397 people.

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 3,343 people, 1,495 households, and 930 families in the county. The population density was 5.3 inhabitants per square mile (2.0/km2). There were 1,801 housing units at an average density of 2.8 units per square mile (1.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.4% white, 0.6% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 54.2% were German, 35.9% were Norwegian, 9.8% were Irish, 5.8% were American, and 5.1% were Swedish.

Of the 1,495 households, 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.8% were non-families, and 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 46.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,066 and the median income for a family was $55,278. Males had a median income of $40,076 versus $29,189 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,945. About 3.4% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

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Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Government

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The county is divided into 18 townships for certain aspects of governance.

Townships

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Politics

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Foster County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only two national elections since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Foster County, North Dakota[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,362 76.60% 373 20.98% 43 2.42%
2016 1,241 72.19% 347 20.19% 131 7.62%
2012 1,030 61.24% 607 36.09% 45 2.68%
2008 914 55.36% 687 41.61% 50 3.03%
2004 1,219 69.03% 518 29.33% 29 1.64%
2000 1,172 67.24% 474 27.19% 97 5.57%
1996 801 45.93% 664 38.07% 279 16.00%
1992 803 41.39% 565 29.12% 572 29.48%
1988 1,218 58.84% 837 40.43% 15 0.72%
1984 1,422 64.23% 765 34.55% 27 1.22%
1980 1,534 66.61% 586 25.45% 183 7.95%
1976 1,120 48.59% 1,147 49.76% 38 1.65%
1972 1,352 60.28% 861 38.39% 30 1.34%
1968 1,119 52.31% 897 41.94% 123 5.75%
1964 927 41.31% 1,315 58.60% 2 0.09%
1960 1,351 53.34% 1,182 46.66% 0 0.00%
1956 1,234 53.51% 1,062 46.05% 10 0.43%
1952 1,558 64.17% 862 35.50% 8 0.33%
1948 938 44.82% 1,089 52.03% 66 3.15%
1944 891 44.39% 1,102 54.91% 14 0.70%
1940 1,109 43.20% 1,446 56.33% 12 0.47%
1936 685 24.83% 1,894 68.65% 180 6.52%
1932 609 24.65% 1,838 74.38% 24 0.97%
1928 1,137 48.99% 1,178 50.75% 6 0.26%
1924 922 45.13% 287 14.05% 834 40.82%
1920 1,583 78.99% 371 18.51% 50 2.50%
1916 549 44.45% 662 53.60% 24 1.94%
1912 285 29.97% 403 42.38% 263 27.66%
1908 569 56.00% 434 42.72% 13 1.28%
1904 618 71.69% 223 25.87% 21 2.44%
1900 415 61.48% 241 35.70% 19 2.81%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 130.
  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 3, 2015.
  5. ^ "County History". North Dakota.gov. The State of North Dakota. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "Foster County · North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Foster County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 18, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 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 January 28, 2015.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Foster County (North Dakota).

47°28′N 98°53′W / 47.46°N 98.89°W / 47.46; -98.89

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