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Slope County, North Dakota

Coordinates: 46°27′N 103°28′W / 46.45°N 103.46°W / 46.45; -103.46
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Slope County
County
Former Slope County Courthouse in Amidon
Former Slope County Courthouse in Amidon
Map of North Dakota highlighting Slope County
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°27′N 103°28′W / 46.45°N 103.46°W / 46.45; -103.46
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedNovember 3, 1914
January 14, 1915 (organized)
SeatAmidon
Largest cityMarmarth
Area
 • Total
1,219 sq mi (3,160 km2)
 • Land1,215 sq mi (3,150 km2)
 • Water4.2 sq mi (11 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
706
 • Estimate 
(2022)
672 Decrease
 • Density0.58/sq mi (0.22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.slopecountynd.gov

Slope County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 706,[1] making it the least populous county in North Dakota and the 18th-least populous county in the United States. The county seat is Amidon.[2]

History

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The vote to create Slope County, by partitioning the lower portion of Billings, was held on November 3, 1914. This was the final (as of 2019) alteration to that once-large Dakota county, as Bowman had been partitioned off in 1883, and 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.[3][4][5] 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

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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 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.[6] The terrain slopes to the east and south; its highest area (except for isolated prominences, such as White Butte) is its northwestern corner, at 3,104 ft (946 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 1,219 square miles (3,160 km2), of which 1,215 square miles (3,150 km2) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km2) (0.3%) is water.[8]

White Butte, the highest natural point in North Dakota at an elevation of 3,506 ft (1,069 m), is in southeast Slope County.

Major highways

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National protected areas

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Adjacent counties

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Lakes[6]

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  • Cedar Lake
  • White Lake

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19204,940—
19304,150−16.0%
19402,932−29.3%
19502,315−21.0%
19601,893−18.2%
19701,484−21.6%
19801,157−22.0%
1990907−21.6%
2000767−15.4%
2010727−5.2%
2020706−2.9%
2022 (est.)672[9]−4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020, there were 706 people.

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 727 people, 326 households, and 224 families in the county. The population density was 0.60 people per square mile (0.23 people/km2). There were 436 housing units at an average density of 0.36 units per square mile (0.14/km2). 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 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

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities[6]

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  • De Sart
  • Mound
  • Pierce

Politics

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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.

United States presidential election results for Slope County, North Dakota[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 351 90.23% 33 8.48% 5 1.29%
2020 380 88.99% 44 10.30% 3 0.70%
2016 362 84.19% 43 10.00% 25 5.81%
2012 341 78.03% 83 18.99% 13 2.97%
2008 297 72.26% 106 25.79% 8 1.95%
2004 335 77.55% 89 20.60% 8 1.85%
2000 316 71.49% 85 19.23% 41 9.28%
1996 260 58.43% 123 27.64% 62 13.93%
1992 226 42.24% 145 27.10% 164 30.65%
1988 315 59.43% 202 38.11% 13 2.45%
1984 419 69.26% 174 28.76% 12 1.98%
1980 462 71.41% 128 19.78% 57 8.81%
1976 355 48.90% 347 47.80% 24 3.31%
1972 413 59.86% 249 36.09% 28 4.06%
1968 379 55.57% 238 34.90% 65 9.53%
1964 329 43.01% 436 56.99% 0 0.00%
1960 475 52.43% 431 47.57% 0 0.00%
1956 433 51.98% 397 47.66% 3 0.36%
1952 682 69.38% 290 29.50% 11 1.12%
1948 447 50.51% 388 43.84% 50 5.65%
1944 434 49.43% 439 50.00% 5 0.57%
1940 801 57.58% 585 42.06% 5 0.36%
1936 331 23.29% 896 63.05% 194 13.65%
1932 461 27.77% 1,136 68.43% 63 3.80%
1928 873 60.88% 542 37.80% 19 1.32%
1924 616 39.09% 47 2.98% 913 57.93%
1920 1,143 76.56% 235 15.74% 115 7.70%
1916 516 34.84% 867 58.54% 98 6.62%

Education

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School districts include:[15]

Former school districts:

The Amidon and Cottage schools were the final two schools remaining in the county.[19]

[edit]
  • US Highway 12 bridge over the Little Missouri River
    US Highway 12 bridge over the Little Missouri River
  • Three V Crossing across the Little Missouri River
    Three V Crossing across the Little Missouri River
  • Old house
    Old house
  • Pierce Congregational Cemetery in Woodberry Township
    Pierce Congregational Cemetery in Woodberry Township

See also

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References

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Specific
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Slope County, North Dakota". North Dakota GenWeb Project. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  4. ^ "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  5. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "Slope County · North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Slope County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 21, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "United States Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  15. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Slope County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list - The map reflects the state before July 1, 2010, when the Central Elementary Public School District 32 dissolved. 2010 map - 2010 text list
  16. ^ Henson, Kayla (November 17, 2018). "One-room western ND schoolhouse may close despite parents' wishes". Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved August 13, 2021. - See copy at Grand Forks Herald
  17. ^ "STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION MINUTES OF MEETING July 15, 2019" (PDF). Government of North Dakota. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2021. This dissolution would not take effect until July 1, 2020 so there is time to review this information.
  18. ^ "STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 2020" (PDF). Government of North Dakota. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Hoffner, Joseph (November 14, 1999). "One room schools are alive and well". The Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. Associated Press. p. 3C. - Clipping from Newspapers.com - Text view A, Text view B, and Text view C
  20. ^ "NORTH DAKOTA SCHOOL PLANTS 2000-01" (PDF). North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. November 25, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2001. Retrieved August 13, 2021. RR 1 Box 21 Bowman ND 58623-9203 Sheets 14
General
  • "Slope Saga", Slope Saga Committee, 1976, Pioneer Print, Bowman County Pioneer
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46°27′N 103°28′W / 46.45°N 103.46°W / 46.45; -103.46

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