Editing Pierce County, North Dakota

{{Short description|County in North Dakota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Pierce County
 | state                = North Dakota
 | seal                 = 
 | ex image             = Pierce County Courthouse ND 2008.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Pierce County Courthouse (North Dakota)|Pierce County Courthouse]]
 | founded              = March 11, 1887 (created)<br />April 6, 1889 (organized)
 | seat wl              = Rugby
 | largest city wl      = Rugby
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1082
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1019
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 64
 | area percentage      = 5.9
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 3990
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 3942 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = https://www.piercecountynd.gov/
 | district             = At-large
 | named for            = [[Gilbert A. Pierce]]
}}

'''Pierce 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 3,990.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/piercecountynorthdakota/PST045222 |access-date=April 5, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Rugby, North Dakota|Rugby]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=[[National Association of Counties]]}}</ref>

==History==
The [[Dakota Territory]] legislature created the county on March 11, 1887, with areas partitioned from [[Bottineau County, North Dakota|Bottineau]], [[Rolette County, North Dakota|Rolette]], [[McHenry County, North Dakota|McHenry]] and the now-extinct DeSmet counties. It was named for [[Gilbert A. Pierce]], a Dakotas political figure. The county was not organized at that time, nor was it attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. It was attached to McHenry County on February 4, 1889, but that lasted only two months; on April 6 the county government was effected and the attachment to McHenry was terminated.

The county's boundaries were enlarged on November 8, 1892, when Church County was dissolved and a portion of its territory was annexed into Pierce.<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>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies|work=Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The [[Newberry Library]]|date=2006|access-date=February 4, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402202102/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The geographical center of [[North America]] is in Pierce County, approximately {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} west of [[Balta, North Dakota|Balta]].<ref>{{cite news|last=MacPherson|first=James|title=N.D. town misses mark as North America's center|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/2010-06-02-rugby-north-dakota-center-of-north-america_N.htm|access-date=April 15, 2014|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=June 2, 2010}}</ref> Rugby has a monument for the center at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 2 in North Dakota|U.S. 2]] and [[North Dakota Highway 3|N.D. 3]].

[[File:Map of Pierce County, N.D., 1910.jpg|thumb|Outline map of Pierce County, North Dakota, 1910]]

==Geography==
The North Fork of the [[Sheyenne River]] flows easterly through central Pierce County. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, mostly devoted to agriculture.<ref name=PCND>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pierce+County,+ND/@48.1196064,-99.9871472,86498m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x52dbf330ee5ed509:0x86655c01712f7941!8m2!3d48.0379438!4d-100.0575335 ''Pierce County ND''  Google Maps (accessed February 26, 2019)]</ref> The terrain generally slopes to the north and east, with its highest point a hill near the SW county corner, at {{convert|1,634|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude/Pierce County ND"  Google Maps (accessed February 26, 2019) |access-date=February 26, 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|1082|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1019|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|64|sqmi}} (5.9%) 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>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
* [[Image:US 2.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 2 in North Dakota|U.S. Highway 2]]
* [[Image:US 52.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 52 in North Dakota|U.S. Highway 52]]
* [[Image:ND-3 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 3]]
* [[Image:ND-17 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 17]]
* [[Image:ND-19 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 19]]
* [[Image:ND-60 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 60]]
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[Amtrak]] ''[[Empire Builder]]'' (''[[Rugby station (North Dakota)|Rugby station]]'')

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
* [[Rolette County, North Dakota|Rolette County]] - north
* [[Towner County, North Dakota|Towner County]] - northeast
* [[Benson County, North Dakota|Benson County]] - east
* [[Wells County, North Dakota|Wells County]] - southeast
* [[Sheridan County, North Dakota|Sheridan County]] - southwest
* [[McHenry County, North Dakota|McHenry County]] - west
* [[Bottineau County, North Dakota|Bottineau County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
Source:<ref name=PCND/>
{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
* Boyer National Wildlife Refuge
* [[Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (North Dakota)|Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]
* Hurricane Lake National Wildlife Refuge
* Meyer Township National Wildlife Refuge
{{div col end}}

===Lakes===
Source:<ref name=PCND/>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Antelope Lakes
* Aylmer Lake (part)
* Battema Lake
* Buffalo Lake
* Clear Lake
* Davis Lake
* Girard Lake
* Goose Lake
* Gunderson Lake
* Guss Lake
* Horseshoe Lake
* Kilgore Lake
* Lesmeister Lake
* Long Lake
* Petrified Lake
* Ranch Lake
* Round Lake
* Sand Lake
* Smoky Lake (part)
* Twin Lakes (part)
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 905
|1900= 4765
|1910= 9740
|1920= 9283
|1930= 9074
|1940= 9208
|1950= 8326
|1960= 7394
|1970= 6323
|1980= 6166
|1990= 5052
|2000= 4675
|2010= 4357
|2020= 3990
|estyear=2022
|estimate=3942
|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 5, 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 3,990 people.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 4,357 people, 1,835 households, and 1,145 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|4.28|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2.16|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.1% white, 3.9% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 52.3% were [[Germans|German]], 34.5% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 5.5% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 2.0% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 1,835 households, 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.6% were non-families, and 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 46.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,091 and the median income for a family was $55,304. Males had a median income of $39,511 versus $21,811 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,575. About 6.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.

===Population by decade===
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  bar:1960 text:1960
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==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Balta, North Dakota|Balta]]
* [[Rugby, North Dakota|Rugby]] (county seat)
* [[Wolford, North Dakota|Wolford]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Barton, North Dakota|Barton]]
* [[Orrin, North Dakota|Orrin]]
* [[Selz, North Dakota|Selz]]

===Unincorporated communities===
Source:<ref name=PCND/>
* Leverich
* Silva
* Tunbridge

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Alexanter
* Antelope Lake
* Balta
* Elling
* Elverum
* Hagel
* Jefferson
* Meyer
* Ness
* Reno Valley
* Rush Lake
* Torgerson
* Truman
* Tuscarora
* White
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Pierce County voters have tended to vote Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Pierce County, North Dakota|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 276 votes, while Socialist [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 159 votes, [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin|Eugene Chafin]] received 27 votes.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,493|439|38|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,585|497|46|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,437|431|203|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,465|660|53|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,301|792|46|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,475|686|34|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,348|500|123|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,017|671|286|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,099|761|571|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,422|1,008|47|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,883|691|52|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,273|517|198|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,396|1,434|57|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,970|973|35|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,700|1,048|231|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,178|1,893|2|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,464|1,848|1|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,997|1,340|5|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,806|773|29|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,738|1,147|68|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,992|1,307|17|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,349|1,451|11|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|912|2,168|684|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|856|2,439|38|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,469|1,606|11|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,160|157|1,157|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,102|294|89|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|703|789|96|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|264|453|462|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|884|610|47|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|921|284|50|North Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|535|276|13|North Dakota}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref name=Schooldistrictmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38069_pierce/DC20SD_C38069.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813215924/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38069_pierce/DC20SD_C38069.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pierce County, ND|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 23, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38069_pierce/DC20SD_C38069_SD2MS.txt Text list] - The map shows Wolford district's boundaries even though it was disestablished in 2019. [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38069_pierce/DC10SD_C38069_001.pdf 2010 map], [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38069_pierce/DC10SD_C38069_SD2MS.txt 2010 text list]</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Anamoose Public School District 14]]
* [[Bottineau Public School District 1]]
* [[Harvey Public School District 38]]
* [[Leeds Public School District 6]]
* [[Maddock Public School District 9]]
* [[North Star School District]]
* [[Rugby Public School District 5]]
* [[Towner-Granville-Upham Public School District 60]]
{{div col end}}

Former districts:
* [[Wolford Public School District 1]]<ref name=Schooldistrictmap2020/> - Closed in 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nd.gov/dpi/sites/www/files/documents/Data/EnrollmentHistoryPublicSchoolDistrict.xlsx|title=Enrollment History Public School Districts 2009-2021|publisher=[[North Dakota Department of Public Instruction]]|accessdate=August 19, 2021}} - Check the 2019-2020 spreadsheet, which does not list Wolford, while previous years do.</ref>

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

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

==External links==
* [https://www.piercecountynd.gov/ Pierce County official website]
* [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ndsl-books/id/17484/rec/1 A history of Pierce County (1936)] from the [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/ Digital Horizons website]
* [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ndsl-books/id/4822/rec/3 Fifty years in Pierce county (1943)] from the [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/ Digital Horizons website]
* Pierce County maps, [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/pierce_sheet1.pdf Sheet 1] (northern) and [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/pierce_sheet2.pdf Sheet 2] (southern), ''North Dakota DOT''

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Pierce County, North Dakota
|North     = [[Rolette County, North Dakota|Rolette County]]
|Northeast = [[Towner County, North Dakota|Towner County]]
|East      = [[Benson County, North Dakota|Benson County]]
|Southeast = [[Wells County, North Dakota|Wells County]]
|Southwest = [[Sheridan County, North Dakota|Sheridan County]]
|West      = [[McHenry County, North Dakota|McHenry County]]
|Northwest = [[Bottineau County, North Dakota|Bottineau County]]
}}

{{Pierce County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|48.25|-99.98|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Pierce County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1889]]