Editing Ramsey County, North Dakota

{{Short description|County in North Dakota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Ramsey County
 | state                = North Dakota
 | ex image             = Ramsey County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Ramsey County Courthouse in [[Devils Lake, North Dakota]].
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = January 4, 1873 (created)<br />January 25, 1883 (organized)
 | seat wl              = Devils Lake
 | largest city wl      = Devils Lake
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1301
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1187
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 114
 | area percentage      = 8.8
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 11605
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 11463 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = https://www.ramseycountynd.gov/
 | district             = At-large
 | named for            = [[Alexander Ramsey]]
}}

'''Ramsey 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 11,605.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ramseycountynorthdakota/PST045223 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 8, 2024}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Devils Lake, North Dakota|Devils Lake]].<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 created the county on January 4, 1873, with areas partitioned from [[Pembina County, North Dakota|Pembina County]]. The county was named for [[Alexander Ramsey]], a [[List of United States Senators from Minnesota|U.S. Senator]] from [[Minnesota]] and the first [[Minnesota]] Territorial Governor.<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> The county government was not completed at that time, and the county was not attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. This situation continued until January 25, 1883, when the county government was effected.

The county's boundaries were altered twice in March 1883, twice more in 1885, and again in 1890. Its present boundaries have remained unchanged since 1890.<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>

[[File:Map of Ramsey County, N.D., 1909.jpg|thumb|Outline map of Ramsey County, North Dakota, 1909]]

==Geography==
The southwest boundary of Ramsey County is defined by [[Devils Lake (North Dakota)|Devils Lake]]. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds. The area is largely devoted to agriculture.<ref name="RCND">{{Cite web |title=Ramsey County · North Dakota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ramsey+County,+ND/@48.196481,-98.945954,99333m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x52c4ae73b8489307:0xc3890e9be01dcb8c!8m2!3d48.3076017!4d-98.7287191 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref> The terrain slopes to the lake, with its highest point at the NE county corner, at {{convert|1,631|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title=''Find an Altitude/Ramsey 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|1301|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1187|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|114|sqmi}} (8.8%) 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>

[[File:Ramsey County is beautiful “pothole country” In the center of the migratory bird flyway.jpg|thumb|Ramsey County is beautiful “pothole country” In the center of a migratory bird flyway.]]

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* [[Image:US 2.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 2 in North Dakota|U.S. Highway 2]]
* [[Image:US 281.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 281 in North Dakota|U.S. Highway 281]]
* [[Image:ND-1 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 1]]
* [[Image:ND-17 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 17]]
* [[Image:ND-19 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 19]]
* [[Image:ND-20 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 20]]
* [[Image:ND-57 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 57]]
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[Amtrak]] ''[[Empire Builder]]'' (''[[Devils Lake station]]'')

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Cavalier County, North Dakota|Cavalier County]] - north
* [[Walsh County, North Dakota|Walsh County]] - east
* [[Nelson County, North Dakota|Nelson County]] - southeast
* [[Benson County, North Dakota|Benson County]] - southwest
* [[Towner County, North Dakota|Towner County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===National protected areas===
* [[Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)
* [[Silver Lake National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

===Lakes===
Source:<ref name=RCND/>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Chain Lake
* Creel Bay
* Dry Lake
* East Devils Lake
* Lake Alice
* Lake Irvine
* Mikes Lake
* Morrison Lake
* Sixmile Bay
* Sweetwater Lake
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 281
|1890= 4418
|1900= 9198
|1910= 15199
|1920= 15427
|1930= 16252
|1940= 15626
|1950= 14373
|1960= 13443
|1970= 12915
|1980= 13048
|1990= 12681
|2000= 12066
|2010= 11451
|2020= 11605
|estyear=2023
|estimate=11463
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{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, 2023|access-date=May 8, 2024}}</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 [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 11,605 people, 4,947 households, and 2,883 families in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Ramsey%20County,%20North%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|9.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}} There were 5,843 housing units.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 11,451 people, 4,955 households, and 3,008 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|9.65|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 5,615 housing units at an average density of {{convert|4.73|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 87.7% white, 8.7% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 41.9% were [[Germans|German]], 37.7% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 7.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 5.7% were [[Swedes|Swedish]], 5.2% were [[English people|English]], and 2.9% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 4,955 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 43.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,792 and the median income for a family was $56,632. Males had a median income of $41,274 versus $25,171 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,130. About 8.7% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

===Population by decade===
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==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col}}
* [[Brocket, North Dakota|Brocket]]
* [[Crary, North Dakota|Crary]]
* [[Devils Lake, North Dakota|Devils Lake]] (county seat)
* [[Edmore, North Dakota|Edmore]]
* [[Hampden, North Dakota|Hampden]]
* [[Lawton, North Dakota|Lawton]]
* [[Starkweather, North Dakota|Starkweather]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
Source:<ref name=RCND/>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Bartlett, North Dakota|Bartlett]]
* [[Churchs Ferry, North Dakota|Churchs Ferry]]
* Darby
* Derrick
* [[Doyon, North Dakota|Doyon]]
* Essex
* [[Garske, North Dakota|Garske]]
* Grand Harbor
* Keith
* Lakewood Park
* [[Penn, North Dakota|Penn]]
* Ramsey
* Rohrville
* Saint Joe
* [[Southam, North Dakota|Southam]]
* Sweetwater
* [[Webster, North Dakota|Webster]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* Bartlett
* Cato
* Chain Lakes
* Coulee
* Creel
* De Groat
* Dry Lake
* Fancher
* Freshwater
* Grand Harbor
* Hammer
* Harding
* Highland Center
* Hope
* Klingstrup
* Lawton
* Lillehoff
* Minnewaukan
* Morris
* Newbre
* Newland
* Noonan
* North Creel
* Northfield
* Odessa
* Ontario
* Overland
* Pelican
* Poplar Grove
* Prospect
* Royal
* South Minnewaukan
* Stevens
* Sullivan
* Triumph
* Webster
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Ramsey County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only two national elections since 1944 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Ramsey County, North Dakota|whig=no|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>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,609|1,513|117|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,577|1,639|156|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,217|1,505|583|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,665|2,164|170|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,361|2,314|87|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,943|1,885|72|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,005|1,658|314|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,077|2,123|574|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,516|2,008|1,530|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,103|2,665|73|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,150|2,304|99|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,078|1,607|600|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,293|3,096|113|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,954|2,384|62|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,189|2,384|272|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,409|3,572|6|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,599|2,813|1|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,821|2,103|6|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,670|1,794|25|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,891|2,458|206|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,505|2,539|39|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,629|3,530|35|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,784|4,559|650|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,917|4,337|75|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,246|2,672|25|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|3,110|359|1,519|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,996|937|104|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,169|1,331|103|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|739|917|640|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,480|1,072|101|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,523|386|83|North Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|1,147|496|49|North Dakota}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38071_ramsey/DC20SD_C38071.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ramsey County, ND|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-06-14}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38071_ramsey/DC20SD_C38071_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Dakota Prairie Public School District 1]]
* [[Devils Lake Public School District 1]]
* [[Edmore Public School District 2]]
* [[Lakota Public School District 66]]
* [[Leeds Public School District 6]]
* [[Minnewaukan Public School District 5]]
* [[North Star Schools|North Star School District]]
* [[Starkweather Public School District 44]]
* [[Warwick Public School District 29]]

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

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

==External links==
* [https://www.ramseycountynd.gov/ Ramsey County – Official Website]
* Ramsey County maps, [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/ramsey_sheet1.pdf Sheet 1] (northern) and [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/ramsey_sheet1.pdf Sheet 2] (southern), ''North Dakota DOT''

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Ramsey County, North Dakota
|North     = [[Cavalier County, North Dakota|Cavalier County]]
|East      = [[Walsh County, North Dakota|Walsh County]]
|Southeast = [[Nelson County, North Dakota|Nelson County]]
|Southwest = [[Benson County, North Dakota|Benson County]]
|Northwest = [[Towner County, North Dakota|Towner County]]
}}

{{Ramsey County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|48.25|-98.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Ramsey County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1883]]