Editing Mercer County, North Dakota

{{Short description|County in North Dakota, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Mercer, North Dakota}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Mercer County
 | state                = North Dakota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = January 14, 1875 (created)<br />November 6, 1883 (organized)
 | seat wl              = Stanton
 | largest city wl      = Beulah
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1112
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1043
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 70
 | area percentage      = 6.3
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 8350
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 8333 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | named for            = W. H. H. Mercer
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.mercercountynd.com
 | ex image size        = 250
 | ex image             = Mercer, ND.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Cities of Mercer, left-to-right, up-to-down; Beulah, Golden Valley, Hazen, Pick City, Stanton, and Zap
 | district             = At-large
}}

'''Mercer 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 8,350.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mercercountynorthdakota/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 2, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Stanton, North Dakota|Stanton]].<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>

==History==
The [[Dakota Territory]] legislature enacted a January 8, 1873 law to create a county named Mercer, whose boundaries would be identical to Pratt (a now-extinct county). This county did not come into existence, as the 1873 act was nullified on January 14, 1875, by the legislature. On that date the legislature created another Mercer County, from previously unorganized territory. The county was named for William Henry Harrison Mercer,<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n204 205]}}</ref> (1844–1901), a rancher who settled north of [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]] in 1869. The unorganized county was not attached to another county for judicial or administrative purposes; this condition continued until November 6, 1883, when the county government was organized.

The county boundaries were altered in 1879, 1881, 1885, 1892, and 1901. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since 1901.<ref>{{cite web|title=County History|url=http://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=83&id=County%20History|publisher=Official Portal for North Dakota State Government|access-date=May 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202151843/http://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=83&id=County%20History|archive-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm ''Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies/Mercer County ND'' (accessed February 26, 2019)]</ref>

[[File:Map of Mercer County, N.D., 1918.jpg|thumb|Outline map of Mercer County, North Dakota, 1918]]

==Geography==
The northern boundary of Mercer County is delineated by [[Lake Sakakawea]], created in 1956 on the [[Missouri River]]. The county's eastern boundary is delineated by the river as it flows southeastward from [[Garrison Dam|the dam that created the lake]]. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, largely devoted to agriculture.<ref name="MCND">{{Cite web |title=Mercer County · North Dakota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mercer+County,+ND/@47.2778497,-102.0122842,101218m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x532788a7ef8c2b7f:0xd5dceff36be47307!8m2!3d47.385292!4d-101.8628783 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref> The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is near the midpoint of its southern boundary, at {{convert|2,451|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude/Mercer County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 26, 2019) |access-date=February 27, 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|1112|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1043|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|70|sqmi}} (6.3%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_38.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 1, 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>

The southwestern corner counties of North Dakota (Adams, Billings, Bowman, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, Slope, Stark) observe [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain Time]]. The counties of McKenzie, Dunn, and Sioux counties are split, with their northern portions observing Central Time and the southern portions observing Mountain Time.

Prior to <ref>{{Cite web|title=Mercer County, North Dakota Current Local Time and Time Zone |url=https://www.timetemperature.com/us-county-nd/mercer-county-north-dakota.shtml |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=www.timetemperature.com}}</ref> November 7, 2010, the western portion of Mercer County was in [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain Time]]. But it was all moved into the [[Central Time Zone|Central Time]] on that date.

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* [[Image:ND-31 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 31]]
* [[Image:ND-48 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 48]]
* [[Image:ND-49 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 49]]
* [[Image:ND-200 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 200]]
* [[Image:ND-200A (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 200 Alternate|North Dakota Highway 200A]]
* [[Image:ND-1806 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 1806]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* [[McLean County, North Dakota|McLean County]] - north
* [[Oliver County, North Dakota|Oliver County]] - east
* [[Morton County, North Dakota|Morton County]] - south
* [[Stark County, North Dakota|Stark County]] - southwest (observes [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain Time]])
* [[Dunn County, North Dakota|Dunn County]] - west (observes Mountain Time in southern portion)
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
Source:<ref name=MCND/>
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* Beaver Creek State Game Management Area
* Hazen Bay Recreation Area
* [[Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site]]
* Lake Sakakawea State Park
{{div col end}}

===Lake===
* [[Lake Sakakawea]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 428
|1900= 1778
|1910= 4747
|1920= 8224
|1930= 9516
|1940= 9611
|1950= 8686
|1960= 6805
|1970= 6175
|1980= 9404
|1990= 9808
|2000= 8644
|2010= 8424
|2020= 8350
|estyear=2022
|estimate=8333
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{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 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=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 1, 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=February 1, 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=April 20, 1995|access-date=February 1, 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=February 1, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 8,350 people.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 8,424 people, 3,625 households, and 2,500 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|8.08|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 4,450 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4.27|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% white, 2.3% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 64.7% were [[Germans|German]], 21.5% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 6.6% were [[Russians|Russian]], 6.2% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 2.2% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 3,625 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.0% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $60,191 and the median income for a family was $71,075. Males had a median income of $63,321 versus $32,294 for females. The per capita income for the county was $30,616. About 4.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

===Population by decade===
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  bar:1900 text:1900
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  bar:1950 text:1950
  bar:1960 text:1960
  bar:1970 text:1970
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  bar:1990 text:1990
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  bar:1900 from: 0 till:1778
  bar:1910 from: 0 till:4747
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  bar:1930 from: 0 till:9516
  bar:1940 from: 0 till:9611
  bar:1950 from: 0 till:8686
  bar:1960 from: 0 till:6805
  bar:1970 from: 0 till:6175
  bar:1980 from: 0 till:9404
  bar:1990 from: 0 till:9808
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  bar:1900 at:1778 fontsize:S text:1778 shift:(-14,5)
  bar:1910 at:4747 fontsize:S text:4747 shift:(-14,5)
  bar:1920 at:8224 fontsize:S text:8224 shift:(-14,5)
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  bar:2022 at:8333 fontsize:S text:8333 shift:(-14,5)

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  text:Data from U.S. Census Bureau
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==Communities==

===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Beulah, North Dakota|Beulah]]
* [[Golden Valley, North Dakota|Golden Valley]]
* [[Hazen, North Dakota|Hazen]]
* [[Pick City, North Dakota|Pick City]]
* [[Stanton, North Dakota|Stanton]] (county seat)
* [[Zap, North Dakota|Zap]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Mercer County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Mercer 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|3,798|672|85|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,856|704|115|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,759|621|302|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,152|1,166|137|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,789|1,476|132|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,285|1,245|87|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,984|1,011|358|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,953|1,300|789|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,274|1,323|1,420|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,013|1,843|46|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,705|1,729|76|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,224|1,209|308|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,982|1,298|36|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,567|784|105|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,039|730|170|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,540|1,310|0|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,395|844|0|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,555|666|6|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,994|512|18|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,219|643|86|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,504|445|7|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,341|567|6|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,142|1,924|553|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|480|2,491|22|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|971|1,619|3|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|522|70|1,494|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,786|172|89|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|730|353|55|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|147|142|448|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|430|96|4|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|252|17|1|North Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|269|41|0|North Dakota}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38057_mercer/DC20SD_C38057.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814051210/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38057_mercer/DC20SD_C38057.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Mercer County, ND|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 24, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38057_mercer/DC20SD_C38057_SD2MS.txt Text list] - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38057_mercer/DC10SD_C38057_001.pdf 2010 map] and [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38057_mercer/DC10SD_C38057_SD2MS.txt 2010 text list]</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Beulah Public School District 27]]
* [[Center-Stanton Public School District 1]]
* [[Glen Ullin Public School District 48]]
* [[Halliday Public School District 19]]
* [[Hazen Public School District 3]]
* [[Hebron Public School District 13]]
* [[Underwood Public School District 8]]
{{div col end}}

Elementary:
* [[Twin Buttes Public School District 37]]

Stanton previously had a separate school district, but it merged with Center's in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|last=Donovan|first=Lauren|url=https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/stanton-center-to-join-together/article_c2b46c9d-b63f-5d27-826c-6cf2d0bf6b8b.html|title=Stanton, Center to join together|newspaper=[[Bismarck Tribune]]|date=November 12, 2003|accessdate=August 14, 2021}}</ref>

[[Riverdale School District 89]]  had portions in Mercer County and in [[McLean County, North Dakota|McLean County]]. The [[Associated Press]] described the district as "divided equally" between the counties. In 1993 members of the Riverdale School District school board voted to abolish their school district, with the Underwood and Hazen districts to obtain pieces of it.<ref name=NewlineAPdist>{{cite news|title=School officials want new line dividing districts|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead|The Forum]]|place=[[Fargo, North Dakota]]|date=1994-01-13|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159937681/ A9]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Zap formerly had its own school district. In 1994 the district voted to dissolve.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Rene'e Beasley|title=Neighbors seek Zap school district shares|newspaper=[[The Bismarck Tribune]]|place=[[Bismarck, North Dakota]]|date=1994-03-20|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/159943183/ 1D]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

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

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

==External links==
* Mercer County maps, [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/mercer_sheet1.pdf Sheet 1] (northern) and [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/mercer_sheet2.pdf Sheet 2] (southern), ''North Dakota DOT''

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Mercer County, North Dakota
|North     = [[McLean County, North Dakota|McLean County]]
|East      = [[Oliver County, North Dakota|Oliver County]]
|South     = [[Morton County, North Dakota|Morton County]]
|Southwest = [[Stark County, North Dakota|Stark County]]
|West      = [[Dunn County, North Dakota|Dunn County]]
}}

{{Mercer County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|47.30|-101.82|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Mercer County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:North Dakota counties on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:1884 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1884]]