Editing Golden Valley County, North Dakota

{{Short description|County in North Dakota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Golden Valley County
 | state                = North Dakota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = 1912
 | seat wl              = Beach
 | largest city         = Beach
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1002
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1001
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.6
 | area percentage      = 0.2
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 1736
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 1744 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | web                  = http://www.goldenvalleycounty.org/
 | ex image             = Golden Valley County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Golden Valley County Courthouse in Beach
 | district             = At-large
}}

'''Golden Valley County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Dakota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 1,736,<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/goldenvalleycountynorthdakota/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref> making it the fourth-least populous county in North Dakota. The [[county seat]] is [[Beach, North Dakota|Beach]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

The county should not be confused with the [[Golden Valley, North Dakota|city of Golden Valley]], which is located in [[Mercer County, North Dakota|Mercer County]].

==History==
In the general election held November 8, 1910, the voters of [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]] chose to separate the western portion of Billings and form a new county. This result was immediately challenged in court; on September 19, 1912, the ND Supreme Court upheld the election result; therefore the legislature completed the county's organization on November 13, 1912.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/North_Dakota/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies|access-date=January 31, 2008|last=Long|first=John H.|year=2006|work=Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The [[Newberry Library]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111113432/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/North_Dakota/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|archive-date= November 11, 2007}}</ref>

Golden Valley was called 'Rattlesnake Flats' by early settlers, due to the large number of the snakes found in the area. The region was dubbed Golden Valley in 1902 after a group of land surveyors noticed that the sunlight gave the surrounding grasses a distinct golden color.<ref name=archives>{{Cite book|author=North Dakota Historical Records Survey|title=Inventory of the County Archives of North Dakota|year=1941|publisher=North Dakota Historical Records Survey|volume=17, Golden Valley County|location=Bismarck ND}} Retrieved via Ancestry.com.</ref>

===Election controversy===
The vote in 1910 to create Golden Valley County was 837 for and 756 against. Shortly after the vote was certified, suit was filed against the Billings County Commission to overturn the result. The plaintiffs alleged that the certification of election was improper, and that certain pre-marked "unofficial" ballots printed by supporters of the new county were cast in place of official ballots, and should be voided. The trial court originally ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The county appealed to the [[North Dakota Supreme Court]], which upheld the county's certification of the election. The court also ruled the pre-marked ballots were invalid, but that the number of invalid votes was not sufficient to overturn the election results.<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Pederson v. Board of Commissioners of Billings County|vol=23|reporter=N.D.|opinion=547}}, {{cite court|vol=137|reporter=N.W.|opinion=484|court=[[North Dakota Supreme Court|N.D.]]|year=1912}} Retrieved via [[Westlaw]].</ref> The court's decision upholding the new county was made on September 19, 1912, and Golden Valley was formally organized on November 13, 1912.

[[File:Map of Golden Valley County, N.D., 1919.jpg|thumb|Outline map of Golden Valley County, North Dakota, 1919]]

==Geography==
Golden Valley County lies on the west line of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of [[Montana]]. Beaver Creek flows east-northeastward through the upper portion of the county, and [[Little Missouri River (North Dakota)|Little Missouri River]] flows northeastward through the southeastern corner of the county, with gullies flowing southeastward draining the lower county into the Little Mo River. The county terrain consists of semi-arid hills, dedicated to agriculture in the level areas.<ref name="GVCND">{{Cite web |title=Golden Valley County · North Dakota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Golden+Valley+County,+ND/@46.7291426,-103.9679263,53729m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x5325c7a0b0e2f619:0xa4abf0c444347651!8m2!3d47.0077031!4d-103.7914154 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref> The terrain slopes to the east and north, with its highest point on hills at the southwestern corner at {{convert|3,251|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude/Golden Valley County ND"  Google Maps (accessed February 18, 2019) |access-date=February 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|1002|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1001|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.6|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_38.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 28, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129045530/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_38.txt|archive-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* [[Image:I-94.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 94 in North Dakota|Interstate 94]]
* [[Image:ND-16 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 16]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie County]] (north)
* [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]] (east)
* [[Slope County, North Dakota|Slope County]] (south)
* [[Fallon County, Montana]] (southwest)
* [[Wibaux County, Montana]] (west)
{{div col end}}

===National protected area===
* [[Little Missouri National Grassland]] (part)

===Lakes===

Source:<ref name=GVCND/>

* Bosserman Lake
* Camels Hump Lake
* Odland Dam

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 4832
|1930= 4122
|1940= 3498
|1950= 3499
|1960= 3100
|1970= 2611
|1980= 2391
|1990= 2108
|2000= 1924
|2010= 1680
|2020= 1736
|estyear=2022
|estimate=1744
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nd190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 28, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 1,736 people.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 1,680 people, 774 households, and 429 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|1.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 967 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.0|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.6% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 69.0% were [[Germans|German]], 14.7% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 10.7% were [[Polish people|Polish]], 7.9% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 7.5% were [[English people|English]], and 2.5% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 774 households, 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.6% were non-families, and 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,333 and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $32,875 versus $26,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,899. About 8.9% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

===Population by decade===
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==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Beach, North Dakota|Beach]] (county seat)
* [[Golva, North Dakota|Golva]]
* [[Sentinel Butte, North Dakota|Sentinel Butte]]

===Unincorporated communities===

Source:<ref name=GVCND/>

{{div col}}
* Chama
* De Mores
* Ekre
* Rider
* Thelan
* [[Trotters, North Dakota|Trotters]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col}}
* [[Beach Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Beach]]
* [[Bullion Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Bullion]]
* [[Delhi Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Delhi]]
* [[Elk Creek Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Elk Creek]]
* [[Garner Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Garner]]
* [[Henry Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Henry]]
* [[Lone Tree Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Lone Tree]]
* [[Pearl Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Pearl]]
* [[Saddle Butte Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Saddle Butte]]
* [[Sentinel Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Sentinel]]
{{div col end}}

====Former townships====
* [[Elmwood Township, Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Elmwood]]

===Unorganized territories===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* East Golden Valley
* Elmwood (formerly a township)
* North Golden Valley
* South Golden Valley
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Golden Valley County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Golden Valley County, North Dakota|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|847|122|22|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|871|137|18|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|796|99|62|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|742|162|24|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|642|210|23|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|719|195|13|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|611|156|45|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|520|235|169|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|503|255|356|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|781|388|14|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|964|325|30|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,006|259|84|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|633|479|96|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|774|362|93|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|735|348|116|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|722|602|0|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|825|672|2|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|824|567|6|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,186|376|0|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|788|585|28|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|709|443|6|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|873|689|9|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|581|991|87|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|653|1,023|19|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|937|552|10|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|718|140|629|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,177|286|64|North Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1916|Democratic|499|697|73|North Dakota}}

==Notable people==
* Ernest Viggo Almquist, commercial artist <ref>Frontier Cavalcade, The Dickinson Press, March 14, 1957</ref>
* [[Arthur C. Townley]], founder of the [[Nonpartisan League|North Dakota Nonpartisan League]].<ref name=archives/>

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in North Dakota#Golden Valley County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Golden Valley County, North Dakota]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Rangeland and badland in Golden Valley County.jpg|Rangeland, wooded drainageways, and badland
File:Stream valley rangeland and badland in Golden Valley County.jpg|Stream valley, rangeland and badland
File:Trotters, North Dakota.jpg|Church building in Trotters
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/golden_valley.pdf Golden Valley County map], ''North Dakota DOT''

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Golden Valley County, North Dakota
|North     = [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie County]]
|East      = [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]]
|South     = [[Slope County, North Dakota|Slope County]]
|Southwest = [[Fallon County, Montana]]
|West      = [[Wibaux County, Montana]]
}}

{{Golden Valley County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|46.94|-103.84|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Golden Valley County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:1912 establishments in North Dakota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1912]]