Editing Medora, North Dakota

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Medora, North Dakota 
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "North Dakota's #1 Destination"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=272082|title=Medora, North Dakota|publisher=Medora, North Dakota|accessdate=August 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209173919/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=272082|archive-date=February 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Medora, North Dakota 5-20-2008.jpg
|image_caption            = Business District of Medora (2008)
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = ND Billings County Medora.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location within [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]] and [[North Dakota]]
|pushpin_map              = USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[North Dakota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in North Dakota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Todd Corneil 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1883
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 1.07
|area_land_km2            = 1.02
|area_water_km2           = 0.05
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.41
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.39
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 123
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 121
|population_density_km2   = 118.85
|population_density_sq_mi = 307.89
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 692
|elevation_ft             = 2270
|coordinates              = {{coord|46|54|44|N|103|31|31|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 58645
|area_code                = [[Area code 701|701]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 38-51900
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1036158<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1036158}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://medorand.com/|medorand.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Medora''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ɪ|ˈ|d|ɔːr|ə}}, {{Respell|mih|DOR|ə}}) is a city in [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]], [[North Dakota]], United States. The only [[municipal corporation|incorporated place]] in Billings County, it is also the [[county seat]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |accessdate=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archivedate=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> Much of the surrounding area is part of either [[Little Missouri National Grassland]] or [[Theodore Roosevelt National Park]]. The population was 121 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Medora_city,_North_Dakota?g=160XX00US3851900 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref> It is part of the [[Dickinson, North Dakota|Dickinson]] [[Dickinson micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
[[File:Antoine Morès-A 02.jpg|thumb|left]]
Medora was founded in 1883 along the [[Transcontinental railroad|transcontinental rail line]] of the [[Northern Pacific Railway]] by [[French people|French]] nobleman [[Marquis de Mores]], who named the city after his wife [[Medora von Hoffman]].<ref name=Wick>{{cite web|last=Wick|first=Douglas A.|title=Medora (Billings County)|url=http://www.webfamilytree.com/North_Dakota_Place_Names/M/medora_%28billings_county%29.htm|work=North Dakota Place Names|accessdate=May 8, 2011}}</ref>  Marquis de Mores wanted to ship refrigerated meat to [[Chicago]] via the railroad. He built a meat packing plant for this purpose and a house named the [[Chateau de Mores]], which is now a museum.<ref>[http://www.state.nd.us/hist/chateau/chateau.htm Chateau de Mores] - State of North Dakota</ref>

In the evening of April 7, 1903, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]], who had visited and invested in ranches in the area in the 1880s,<ref>{{cite web |title=Theodore Roosevelt in North Dakota |url=https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Learn-About-TR/TR-Trail/TR-Trail-Pages/Theodore-Roosevelt-in-North-Dakota.aspx |website=Theodore Roosevelt Center |accessdate=September 22, 2018}}</ref> visited Medora on a presidential tour of the [[Western United States]]. Most of the Badlands' residents turned out to greet him on his whistle stop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/t_roosevelt_park.html|title = Theodore Roosevelt National Park--Presidents: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary}}</ref> Roosevelt later recalled that "the entire population of the Badlands down to the smallest baby had gathered to meet me… They all felt I was their man, their old friend; and even if they had been hostile to me in the old days when we were divided by the sinister bickering and jealousies and hatreds of all frontier communities, they now firmly believed they had always been my staunch friends and admirers. I shook hands with them all and…I only regretted that I could not spend three hours with them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mandanhistory.org/areahistory/1903trvisittondak.html|title=Roosevelts Return to NDak}}</ref> A local hotel changed its name that same year to the Rough Riders Hotel. In 1962 the hotel was purchased by Harold Schafer. After the creation of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation in 1986, the hotel changed hands and is now operated by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://reservations.medora.com/rough-riders/history/ |title=Medora - North Dakota's #1 Vacation - Rough Riders History |access-date=September 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042549/http://reservations.medora.com/rough-riders/history/ |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2021, a wildfire threatened Medora and caused the town to evacuate during its tourist season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=William |title=North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones |date=2024 |publisher=Valley Star Publications |year=2024 |isbn=979-8-89480-378-4 |location=Dickinson, ND |publication-date=2024 |pages=109}}</ref> The fire burned 2,276 acres around Medora but spared the town.<ref name=":0" />

Home to the popular [[Medora Musical]], the city of Medora has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.37|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.36|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=June 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=January 12, 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Medora has a [[semi-arid climate|cold semi-arid climate]] (''BSk'').

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Medora, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 66
|Feb record high F = 70
|Mar record high F = 82
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 101
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 110
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 95
|Nov record high F = 83
|Dec record high F = 66
|year record high F = 110

|Jan avg record high F = 51.7
|Feb avg record high F = 54.7
|Mar avg record high F = 68.6
|Apr avg record high F = 78.9
|May avg record high F = 86.3
|Jun avg record high F = 93.4
|Jul avg record high F = 99.1
|Aug avg record high F = 99.8
|Sep avg record high F = 95.1
|Oct avg record high F = 81.9
|Nov avg record high F = 65.6
|Dec avg record high F = 53.0
|year avg record high F = 102.0

|Jan high F = 27.6
|Feb high F = 31.9
|Mar high F = 43.7
|Apr high F = 55.5
|May high F = 66.7
|Jun high F = 76.7
|Jul high F = 85.6
|Aug high F = 85.2
|Sep high F = 74.4
|Oct high F = 57.5
|Nov high F = 42.4
|Dec high F = 30.9
|year high F = 56.5
|Jan mean F = 15.5
|Feb mean F = 19.8
|Mar mean F = 31.1
|Apr mean F = 42.5
|May mean F = 53.6
|Jun mean F = 63.4
|Jul mean F = 70.8
|Aug mean F = 69.2
|Sep mean F = 58.6
|Oct mean F = 43.8
|Nov mean F = 30.2
|Dec mean F = 19.1
|year mean F = 43.1
|Jan low F = 3.4
|Feb low F = 7.7
|Mar low F = 18.4
|Apr low F = 29.5
|May low F = 40.5
|Jun low F = 50.1
|Jul low F = 55.9
|Aug low F = 53.2
|Sep low F = 42.8
|Oct low F = 30.1
|Nov low F = 18.1
|Dec low F = 7.3
|year low F = 29.8

|Jan avg record low F = -22.2
|Feb avg record low F = -14.9
|Mar avg record low F = -5.8
|Apr avg record low F = 12.3
|May avg record low F = 25.5
|Jun avg record low F = 37.9
|Jul avg record low F = 45.1
|Aug avg record low F = 39.9
|Sep avg record low F = 28.1
|Oct avg record low F = 13.1
|Nov avg record low F = -2.1
|Dec avg record low F = -16.0
|year avg record low F = -28.4

|Jan record low F = -49
|Feb record low F = -47
|Mar record low F = -34
|Apr record low F = -13
|May record low F = 8
|Jun record low F = 28
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 28
|Sep record low F = 13
|Oct record low F = -13
|Nov record low F = -31
|Dec record low F = -44
|year record low F = -49
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.32
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.44
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.63
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.59
|May precipitation inch = 2.60
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.92
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.10
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.41
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.42
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.18
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.62
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.56
|year precipitation inch = 15.79
|Jan snow inch = 4.4
|Feb snow inch = 7.2
|Mar snow inch = 3.8
|Apr snow inch = 3.4
|May snow inch = 0.4
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.1
|Oct snow inch = 1.8
|Nov snow inch = 3.0
|Dec snow inch = 6.0
|year snow inch = 30.1
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.9
|Feb precipitation days = 5.3
|Mar precipitation days = 5.8
|Apr precipitation days = 7.0
|May precipitation days = 10.1
|Jun precipitation days = 11.2
|Jul precipitation days = 9.4
|Aug precipitation days = 6.5
|Sep precipitation days = 6.6
|Oct precipitation days = 7.1
|Nov precipitation days = 5.3
|Dec precipitation days = 5.7
|year precipitation days = 85.9
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.6
|Feb snow days = 4.8
|Mar snow days = 2.8
|Apr snow days = 1.3
|May snow days = 0.2
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 1.0
|Nov snow days = 2.6
|Dec snow days = 4.9
|year snow days = 22.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=bis
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = September 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00325813&format=pdf
| title = Station: Medora, ND
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 18, 2021}}</ref> 
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 133
|1970= 129
|1980= 94
|1990= 101
|2000= 100
|2010= 112
|2020= 121
|estyear=2022
|estimate=123
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=December 2, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 2, 2023}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 7, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 112 people, 56 households, and 27 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|311.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 102 housing units at an average density of {{convert|283.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 93.8% White, 1.8% Native American, 3.6% Asian, and 0.9% from two or more races.

Of the 56 households 10.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 1.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.8% were non-families. 46.4% of households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.84 and the average family size was 2.63.

The median age was 45.3 years. 11.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.8% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 100 people, 51 households, and 23 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|271.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 117 housing units at an average density of {{convert|317.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

Of the 51 households 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.9% were non-families. 51.0% of households were one person and 11.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 3.00.

The age distribution was 26.0% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

The median household income was $31,563 and the median family income was $61,250. Males had a median income of $26,042 versus $21,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,399. There were no families and 4.8% of the population living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 15.0% of those over 64.

==Points of interest==
* [[Medora Musical]]
* [[Theodore Roosevelt National Park]] (South Unit)
* [[Maah Daah Hey Trail]]
* [[Chateau de Mores]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Medora}}
* [https://medorand.com/ City of Medora official website]
* [http://www.visitmedora.com/ Lodging Information]
* [http://www.theodoreroosevelt.com TR's Early Days at TheodoreRoosevelt.com]

{{Billings County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Billings County, North Dakota]]
[[Category:Cities in North Dakota]]
[[Category:County seats in North Dakota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1883]]
[[Category:Dickinson, North Dakota micropolitan area]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Dakota Territory]]