Rolette County, North Dakota

Rolette County
St. John–Lena Border Crossing
Map of North Dakota highlighting Rolette 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: 48°46′N 99°50′W / 48.767°N 99.833°W / 48.767; -99.833
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 4, 1873 (created)
October 14, 1884 (organized)
Named forJoseph Rolette
SeatRolla
Largest communityBelcourt
Area
 • Total
939.499 sq mi (2,433.29 km2)
 • Land903.042 sq mi (2,338.87 km2)
 • Water36.457 sq mi (94.42 km2)  3.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
12,187
 • Estimate 
(2023)
11,728 Decrease
 • Density12.97/sq mi (5.01/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.rolettecounty.com

Rolette County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,187.[1] Its county seat is Rolla.[2]

History

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The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with territory partitioned from Buffalo County. It was not organized at that date, and was not attached to another county for judicial or administrative purposes. It was named for Joseph Rolette Jr., a fur trader and political figure from Pembina. The county government was effected on October 14, 1884, with Dunseith as the county seat. In 1885 the county seat was assigned to Saint John, and in 1889 it was assigned to Rolla.

The county boundaries were adjusted in 1883 and in 1887. It has retained its present boundary configuration since 1887.[3][4]

The International Peace Garden is located in the northwest corner of the county along the Canada–United States border with Manitoba.

Geography

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Native vegetation based on NRCS soils information

Rolette County lies on the northern border of North Dakota with Canada. Gimby Creek and Wakopa Creek flow into the county from Canada. The terrain consists of dry rolling hills in the south, and more verdant low hills in the north and northwest, dotted with lakes and ponds.[5]

Part of the Turtle Mountain plateau lies in the northwestern part of the county. The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is its northwest corner, at 2,195 ft (669 m) ASL.[6]

The Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation is in the northeast section of Rolette County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 939.499 square miles (2,433.29 km2), of which 903.042 square miles (2,338.87 km2) is land and 36.457 square miles (94.42 km2) (3.9%) is water.[7]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

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Protected areas

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Lakes

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  • Belcourt Lake
  • Bigham Lake
  • Bymes Lake
  • Carpenters Lake
  • Coon Lake
  • Gatten Lake
  • Girl Lake
  • Gordon Lake
  • Hartley Lake (part)
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Island Lake
  • Lagerquist Lake
  • Lake Upsilon
  • Little Gurr Lake
  • Long Lake
  • Lords Lake (part)
  • Mill Lake
  • Mill Lake
  • Rabb Lake
  • School Section Lake
  • Schutte Lake
  • South Messier Lake (part)
  • Ducker Lake
  • Twin Lake
  • Twin Lakes (part)
  • Willow Lake[5]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18902,427
19007,995229.4%
19109,55819.5%
192010,0615.3%
193010,7606.9%
194012,58316.9%
195011,102−11.8%
196010,641−4.2%
197011,5498.5%
198012,1775.4%
199012,7724.9%
200013,6747.1%
201013,9371.9%
202012,187−12.6%
2023 (est.)11,728[8]−3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census

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Rolette County, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[13] Pop. 1990[14] Pop. 2000[15] Pop. 2010[16] Pop. 2020[17] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 5,091 4,204 3,416 2,802 2,298 41.81% 32.92% 24.98% 20.3% 18.9%
Black or African American alone (NH) 8 28 10 21 13 0.07% 0.22% 0.07% 0.2% 0.1%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 7,020 8,457 9,907 10,677 9,210 57.65% 66.22% 72.45% 77.2% 75.6%
Asian alone (NH) 18 13 10 16 23 0.15 0.10% 0.07% 0.1% 0.2%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 8 0.0% 0.1%
Other race alone (NH) 3 5 4 1 8 0.02% 0.04% 0.03% 0.0% 0.1%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 217 284 490 1.59% 2.1% 4.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 37 65 110 133 137 0.30% 0.51% 0.80% 1.0% 1.1%
Total 12,177 12,772 13,674 13,937 12,187 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.0% 100.0%

As of the 2020 census, there were 12,187 people, 4,114 households, and 2,857 families in the county.[18] The population density was 13.5 inhabitants per square mile (5.2/km2). There were 4,581 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 19.0% White, 0.1% African American, 76.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other races and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.1% of the population.[19]

2022 American Community Survey (ACS)

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There are 3,668 households accounted for in the 2022 ACS, with an average of 3.31 persons per household. The county's a median gross rent is $482 in the 2022 ACS. The 2022 ACS reports a median household income of $53,806, with 66.1% of households are owner occupied. 25.7% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line (down from previous ACS surveys). The city boasts a 54.9% employment rate, with 16.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 85.4% holding a high school diploma.[20]

The top nine reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were German (7.0%), Norwegian (6.2%), French (except Basque) (2.3%), Irish (1.4%), Polish (1.0%), English (0.8%), Scottish (0.4%), Italian (0.2%), and Subsaharan African (0.0%).

The median age in the county was 31.1 years.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 13,937 people, 4,783 households, and 3,413 families in the county. The population density was 15.4 inhabitants per square mile (5.9/km2). There were 5,372 housing units at an average density of 5.95 inhabitants per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 20.3% White, 0.2% African American, 77.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other races and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.0% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 48.5% were French Canadian, 7.0% were German, 6.8% were Norwegian, and 0.3% were American.

Of the 4,783 households, 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 23.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.6% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.39. The median age was 30.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,265 and the median income for a family was $35,523. Males had a median income of $35,595 versus $27,459 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,632. About 25.9% of families and 31.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.5% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

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Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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  • Kohlmeier
  • Maryville
  • Shell Valley
  • South Valley
  • Holmes

Politics

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Due to its Native American majority population, Rolette County voters are historically Democratic, more consistently so than other such counties in North Dakota. Since 1928 the only Republican to carry the county was Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952.[21] It was the only county in the state to support George McGovern in 1972 and is additionally the only North Dakota county to have supported Jimmy Carter in 1980.[22] In each of the five presidential elections from 1996 to 2012, the Democratic candidate received over 60% of the vote, with Barack Obama winning 75.1% in 2008 and 74.0% in 2012.[23][24] In 2016, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton received 57.3% of the county's votes,[25] one of the two North Dakota counties that she carried.

United States presidential election results for Rolette County, North Dakota[26][27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,425 35.16% 2,562 63.21% 66 1.63%
2020 1,257 33.04% 2,482 65.25% 65 1.71%
2016 1,217 32.41% 2,099 55.90% 439 11.69%
2012 1,092 23.99% 3,353 73.66% 107 2.35%
2008 1,045 23.05% 3,403 75.06% 86 1.90%
2004 1,392 34.42% 2,564 63.40% 88 2.18%
2000 1,416 32.20% 2,681 60.96% 301 6.84%
1996 823 22.85% 2,299 63.84% 479 13.30%
1992 895 24.82% 2,002 55.52% 709 19.66%
1988 1,126 31.23% 2,426 67.28% 54 1.50%
1984 1,479 39.43% 2,179 58.09% 93 2.48%
1980 1,599 44.84% 1,660 46.55% 307 8.61%
1976 1,094 29.62% 2,531 68.54% 68 1.84%
1972 1,713 48.13% 1,803 50.66% 43 1.21%
1968 1,211 37.23% 1,870 57.49% 172 5.29%
1964 892 25.80% 2,566 74.20% 0 0.00%
1960 1,277 35.33% 2,335 64.59% 3 0.08%
1956 1,444 45.44% 1,728 54.37% 6 0.19%
1952 2,188 65.02% 1,160 34.47% 17 0.51%
1948 1,179 41.09% 1,565 54.55% 125 4.36%
1944 1,070 37.78% 1,745 61.62% 17 0.60%
1940 1,555 35.41% 2,820 64.21% 17 0.39%
1936 857 19.34% 3,186 71.89% 389 8.78%
1932 706 19.59% 2,855 79.22% 43 1.19%
1928 1,327 37.50% 2,181 61.63% 31 0.88%
1924 869 35.92% 137 5.66% 1,413 58.41%
1920 2,139 75.05% 535 18.77% 176 6.18%
1916 600 40.00% 762 50.80% 138 9.20%
1912 339 26.74% 396 31.23% 533 42.03%
1908 811 55.32% 529 36.08% 126 8.59%
1904 912 66.38% 366 26.64% 96 6.99%
1900 566 60.41% 355 37.89% 16 1.71%

Education

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School districts include:[28]

Former districts:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "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 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Rolette County · North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  6. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Rolette County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 24, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  7. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Population by race". CensusScope. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  14. ^ "CP-1-36: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 1990: DEC Summary File 1 – Rolette County, North Dakota" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Rolette County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rolette County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  17. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rolette County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "How many people live in Rolette County, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Rolette County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Geographie Electorale
  22. ^ David Leip's Presidential Atlas (Maps for North Dakota by election)
  23. ^ The New York Times electoral map (Zoom in on North Dakota)
  24. ^ 2012 presidential election results from North Dakota, New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  25. ^ 2016 presidential election results from North Dakota, New York Times (December 20, 2016). Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  26. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  27. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 322 votes, while Socialist Eugene Debs received 184 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 27 votes.
  28. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Rolette County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list - The map shows Wolford district's boundaries even though it was disestablished in 2019. 2010 map, 2010 text list
  29. ^ "Enrollment History Public School Districts 2009-2021". North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Retrieved August 19, 2021. - Check the 2019-2020 spreadsheet, which does not list Wolford, while previous years do.
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