Editing Slope County, North Dakota

{{Short description|County in North Dakota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Slope County
 | state                = North Dakota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = November 3, 1914<br />January 14, 1915 (organized)
 | seat wl              = Amidon
 | largest city wl      = Marmarth
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1219
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1215
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.2
 | area percentage      = 0.3
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 706
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2022
 | population_est       = 672 {{decrease}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | web                  = https://www.slopecountynd.gov/
 | ex image             = Slope County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Original Slope County Courthouse|Former Slope County Courthouse]] in Amidon
 | district             = At-large
}}

'''Slope 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 706,<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/slopecountynorthdakota/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 4, 2023}}</ref> making it the [[List of counties in North Dakota|least populous county in North Dakota]] and the [[List of United States counties and county-equivalents|18th-least populous county in the United States]]. The [[county seat]] is [[Amidon, North Dakota|Amidon]].<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 vote to create Slope County, by partitioning the lower portion of [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings]], was held on November 3, 1914. This was the final (as of 2019) alteration to that once-large Dakota county, as [[Bowman County, North Dakota|Bowman]] had been partitioned off in 1883, and [[Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Golden Valley]] was split off in 1910. The unorganized Slope County was not attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes during the [[interregnum]]; on January 14, 1915, the county organization was effected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midrivers.com/~whtmule/genweb/slope/slope.htm|title=Slope County, North Dakota|publisher=North Dakota GenWeb Project|access-date=September 14, 2012}}</ref><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 1, 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 name refers to the Missouri Slope, a geographical feature that is also a popular designation for western North Dakota, particularly the area west of the [[Missouri River]].

==Geography==
[[Image:White butte (1).JPG|thumb|[[White Butte (North Dakota)|White Butte]] in Slope County]]
Slope County lies on the lower west side of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of [[Montana]]. The [[Little Missouri River (North Dakota)|Little Missouri River]] enters the county's south boundary line  from Bowman County near the Montana border and flows north until it loops very briefly into Golden Valley County. Then it flows east to near the midpoint of the north boundary of Slope County and then turns north into Billings County. Cedar Creek drains the southeastern portion of the county, flowing south into Bowman county.

Slope County terrain consists of semi-arid rough hills and gullies interspersed with lower hills, part of which is dedicated to agriculture.<ref name="SCND">{{Cite web |title=Slope County · North Dakota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Slope+County,+ND/@46.4362998,-103.7496117,64794m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x532f6c98fb302b99:0xfeb011d8dc6396d1!8m2!3d46.4129398!4d-103.5021012 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref> The terrain slopes to the east and south; its highest area (except for isolated prominences, such as White Butte) is its northwestern corner, at {{convert|3,104|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude/Slope County ND"  Google Maps (accessed February 21, 2019) |access-date=February 21, 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|1219|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1215|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.2|sqmi}} (0.3%) 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>

[[White Butte (North Dakota)|White Butte]], the highest natural point in North Dakota at an elevation of {{convert|3506|ft|m|abbr=on}}, is in southeast Slope County.

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 12.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 12 in North Dakota|U.S. Highway 12]]
* [[Image:US 85.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 85 in North Dakota|U.S. Highway 85]]
* [[Image:ND-21 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 21]]
* [[Image:ND-67 (2015).svg|25px]] [[North Dakota Highway 67]]

===National protected areas===
* [[Little Missouri National Grassland]] (part)
* [[Stewart Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[White Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]] - north
* [[Stark County, North Dakota|Stark County]] - northeast
* [[Hettinger County, North Dakota|Hettinger County]] - east
* [[Adams County, North Dakota|Adams County]] - southeast
* [[Bowman County, North Dakota|Bowman County]] - south
* [[Fallon County, Montana]] - west
* [[Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Golden Valley County]] - northwest

===Lakes<ref name=SCND/>===
* Cedar Lake
* White Lake

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 4940
|1930= 4150
|1940= 2932
|1950= 2315
|1960= 1893
|1970= 1484
|1980= 1157
|1990= 907
|2000= 767
|2010= 727
|2020= 706
|estyear=2022
|estimate=672
|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 4, 2023}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=United States 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 706 people.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 727 people, 326 households, and 224 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|0.60|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 436 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.36|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 2.2% American Indian, 0.0% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 53.9% were of German, 30.7% Norwegian, 9.9% English, 7.4% Swedish, 5.5% [[Polish Americans|Polish]] and 2.8% American ancestry.

Of the 326 households, 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.3% were non-families, and 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 49.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,625 and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $36,458 versus $31,172 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,824. About 6.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Slope County has the highest decline from its peak population of all US counties.

===Population by decade===
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==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Amidon, North Dakota|Amidon]] (county seat)
* [[Marmarth, North Dakota|Marmarth]]

===Unincorporated communities<ref name=SCND/>===
* De Sart
* Mound
* Pierce

==Politics==
Slope County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024). In 2024 [[Donald Trump]] received 90% of the vote in Slope County. 
{{PresHead|place=Slope 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 13, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|351|33|5|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|380|44|3|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|362|43|25|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|341|83|13|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|297|106|8|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|335|89|8|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|316|85|41|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|260|123|62|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|226|145|164|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|315|202|13|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|419|174|12|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|462|128|57|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|355|347|24|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|413|249|28|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|379|238|65|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|329|436|0|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|475|431|0|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|433|397|3|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|682|290|11|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|447|388|50|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|434|439|5|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|801|585|5|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|331|896|194|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|461|1,136|63|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|873|542|19|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|616|47|913|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,143|235|115|North Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1916|Democratic|516|867|98|North Dakota}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref name=CensusSDmaps>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38087_slope/DC20SD_C38087.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814001718/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38087_slope/DC20SD_C38087.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Slope County, ND|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 23, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38087_slope/DC20SD_C38087_SD2MS.txt Text list] - The map reflects the state before July 1, 2010, when the Central Elementary Public School District 32 dissolved. [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38087_slope/DC10SD_C38087_001.pdf 2010 map] - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38087_slope/DC10SD_C38087_SD2MS.txt 2010 text list]</ref>
* [[Bowman County Public School District 1]]
* [[New England Public School District 9]]
* [[Scranton Public School District 33]]
* [[Marmarth Public School District 12]] (elementary only)

Former school districts:
* [[Central Elementary Public School District 32]]<ref name=CensusSDmaps/> (Amidon Elementary School<ref name=Hensonmayclose>{{cite web|last=Henson|first=Kayla|url=https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/one-room-western-nd-schoolhouse-may-close-despite-parents-wishes/article_84258662-4fea-506b-a037-f6243b35268d.html|title=One-room western ND schoolhouse may close despite parents’ wishes|newspaper=[[Bismarck Tribune]]|date=November 17, 2018|accessdate=August 13, 2021}} - [https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/education/4530362-one-room-western-nd-schoolhouse-may-close-despite-parents-wishes See copy at] ''[[Grand Forks Herald]]''</ref>) - Scheduled to dissolve on July 1, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nd.gov/dpi/sites/www/files/documents/State%20School%20Board/Minutes7152019.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018132500/https://www.nd.gov/dpi/sites/www/files/documents/State%20School%20Board/Minutes7152019.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2020 |url-status=live|title=STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION MINUTES OF MEETING July 15, 2019|publisher=Government of North Dakota|accessdate=August 13, 2021|quote=This dissolution would not take effect until July 1, 2020 so there is time to review this information.}}</ref> It was divided between Bowman County School District No. 1 and [[New England School District No. 9]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nd.gov/dpi/sites/www/files/documents/State%20School%20Board/Minutes6152020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019141904/https://www.nd.gov/dpi/sites/www/files/documents/State%20School%20Board/Minutes6152020.pdf |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |url-status=live|title=STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 2020|publisher=Government of North Dakota|accessdate=August 13, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Sheets Public School District 14]]<ref name=Hoffner>{{cite news|last=Hoffner|first=Joseph|title=One room schools are alive and well|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Bismarck Tribune]]|place=[[Bismarck, North Dakota]]|date=November 14, 1999|page=3C}} - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83401939/for-cottage-school/ Clipping] from [[Newspapers.com]] - [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106182674/ Text view A], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106182718/ Text view B], and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106182752/ Text view C]</ref> (Cottage School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/resource/directry/d.pdf|title=NORTH DAKOTA SCHOOL PLANTS 2000-01|publisher=[[North Dakota Department of Public Instruction]]|date=November 25, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011125075304/http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/resource/directry/d.pdf|accessdate=August 13, 2021|archive-date=November 25, 2001|quote=RR 1 Box 21 Bowman ND 58623-9203 Sheets 14}}</ref>)

The Amidon and Cottage schools were the final two schools remaining in the county.<ref name=Hoffner/>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Little Missouri River Marmarth ND.jpg|US Highway 12 bridge over the Little Missouri River
File:Three V Crossing, North Dakota.jpg|[[Yule Ranch#Three V Crossing|Three V Crossing]] across the Little Missouri River
File:Old-house.jpg - panoramio.jpg|Old house
File:Pierce, Woodberry Township, Slope County, North Dakota.jpg|Pierce Congregational Cemetery in Woodberry Township
</gallery>

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

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

;General
* "Slope Saga", Slope Saga Committee, 1976, Pioneer Print, Bowman County Pioneer

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Slope County, North Dakota
|North     = [[Billings County, North Dakota|Billings County]]
|Northeast = [[Stark County, North Dakota|Stark County]]
|East      = [[Hettinger County, North Dakota|Hettinger County]]
|Southeast = [[Adams County, North Dakota|Adams County]]
|South     = [[Bowman County, North Dakota|Bowman County]]
|West      = [[Fallon County, Montana]]
|Northwest = [[Golden Valley County, North Dakota|Golden Valley County]]
}}

{{Slope County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|46.45|-103.46|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Slope County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:1915 establishments in North Dakota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1915]]