Grand Forks County, North Dakota

Grand Forks County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, its population was 73,170, making it the third most populous county in North Dakota. Its county seat and largest community is Grand Forks.

History
Using territory annexed from Pembina County, the Dakota Territory legislature created Grand Forks County on January 4, 1873. Its governing structure was not established at that time, nor was the territory attached to another county for administrative and judicial purposes. The government was organized on March 2, 1875.

The county's boundaries were altered in 1875, 1881, and 1883. It has retained its present boundary since 1883.

Grand Forks County is included in the Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Grand Forks County lies on the east side of North Dakota. Its eastern boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota (across the Red River). The Red River flows northward along the county's east border, on its way to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. The Forest River flows eastward and northward across the upper western part of the county.

The terrain of Grand Forks County consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around urban areas. The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is a hill at its southwestern corner, at 1,450 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 1440 sqmi, of which 1436 sqmi is land and 3.1 sqmi (0.2%) is water.

The University of North Dakota has established a Field Biology Station on Forest River, at the county's northern border. In 2013 it partnered with ND Game & Fish Department to establish a 160 acre wildlife management area at the station, to monitor whitetail deer activity in the forest. The field station is tasked with identifying plants native and endemic to the area. A total of 498 plants have been collected at the Forest River Biology Station and Wildlife Management Area.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-29.svg|20px]] Interstate 29
 * [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 2
 * [[Image:US 81.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 81
 * [[Image:North Dakota 15.svg|20px]] North Dakota Highway 15
 * [[Image:North Dakota 18.svg|20px]] North Dakota Highway 18
 * [[Image:North Dakota 32.png|20px]] North Dakota Highway 32

Transit

 * Amtrak Empire Builder (Grand Forks station)
 * Cities Area Transit
 * Jefferson Lines

Adjacent counties

 * Walsh County - north
 * Marshall County, Minnesota - northeast
 * Polk County, Minnesota - east
 * Traill County - southeast
 * Steele County - southwest
 * Nelson County - west

Protected areas
Source:


 * Forest River Biology Station/Wildlife Management Area
 * Grand Forks County Larimore Dam Recreation Area
 * Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge
 * Little Goose National Wildlife Refuge
 * Prairie Chicken State Game Management Area
 * Turtle River State Park

Lakes
Source:


 * Fordville Dam
 * Larimore Dam
 * Smith Lakes

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 73,170 people, 30,658 households, and 16,186 families in the county. The population density was 50.9 PD/sqmi There were 33,428 housing units.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 66,861 people, 27,417 households, and 15,215 families in the county. The population density was 46.5 PD/sqmi. There were 29,344 housing units at an average density of 20.4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 90.3% white, 2.5% American Indian, 2.0% black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 34.1% were German, 33.8% were Norwegian, 9.5% were Irish, 5.8% were Polish, 5.3% were English, and 2.9% were American.

Of the 27,417 households, 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.5% were non-families, and 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 29.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,242 and the median income for a family was $65,804. Males had a median income of $40,622 versus $31,633 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,276. About 8.2% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Emerado
 * Gilby
 * Grand Forks (county seat)
 * Inkster
 * Larimore
 * Manvel
 * Niagara
 * Northwood
 * Reynolds (part)
 * Thompson

Census-designated places

 * Grand Forks AFB

Other communities
Source:


 * Arvilla
 * Emerado
 * Forest River Colony
 * Hannah Junction
 * Johnstown
 * Kelly
 * Kempton
 * Logan Center
 * McCanna
 * Mekinock

Townships

 * Agnes
 * Allendale
 * Americus
 * Arvilla
 * Avon
 * Bentru
 * Blooming
 * Brenna
 * Chester
 * Elkmount
 * Elm Grove
 * Fairfield
 * Falconer
 * Ferry
 * Gilby
 * Grace
 * Grand Forks
 * Hegton
 * Inkster
 * Johnstown
 * Lakeville
 * Larimore
 * Levant
 * Lind
 * Logan Center
 * Loretta
 * Mekinock
 * Michigan
 * Moraine
 * Niagara
 * Northwood
 * Oakville
 * Pleasant View
 * Plymouth
 * Rye
 * Strabane
 * Turtle River
 * Union
 * Walle
 * Washington
 * Wheatfield

Politics
Like all parts of North Dakota other than areas with reservations, Grand Forks County voters historically and currently vote Republican at the presidential level. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. However, the large student population has kept margins closer in recent elections.