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.[3][4]
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.[5] The terrain slopes to the north and east; its highest point is a hill at its southwestern corner, at 1,450 ft (440 m) ASL.[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,439.418 square miles (3,728.08 km2), of which 1,436.216 square miles (3,719.78 km2) is land and 3.202 square miles (8.29 km2) (0.2%) is water.[7]
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 (0.65 km2) wildlife management area at the station, to monitor whitetail deer activity in the forest.[8] 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.[9]
U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[1]
As of the first quarter of 2024, the median home value in Grand Forks County was $279,430, an increase of _% from the prior year.[15]
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 32,099 estimated households in Grand Forks County with an average of 2.11 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $72,536. Approximately 13.3% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Grand Forks County has an estimated 72.3% employment rate, with 34.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.9% holding a high school diploma.[16]
The median age in the county was 30.8 years.
Grand Forks 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.
As of the 2020 census, there were 73,170 people, 30,658 households, and 16,186 families residing in the county.[22] The population density was 50.9 inhabitants per square mile (19.7/km2). There were 33,428 housing units at an average density of 23.3 inhabitants per square mile (9.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.08% White, 4.19% African American, 2.47% Native American, 3.41% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from some other races and 6.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.00% of the population.[23] 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.9% were under 5 years of age, and 14.8% were 65 and older.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 66,861 people, 27,417 households, and 15,215 families in the county. The population density was 46.5 inhabitants per square mile (18.0/km2). There were 29,344 housing units at an average density of 20.4 inhabitants per square mile (7.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% White, 2.04% African American, 2.48% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from some other races and 2.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.92% of the population.
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.
Population by decade
Communities
The new Grand Forks County Office Building in Grand Forks, near historic Grand Forks County Courthouse
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.
United States presidential election results for Grand Forks County, North Dakota[25][26]
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