New England was founded in 1887, predating all other settlements in Hettinger County by many years. The name recognizes that many early settlers were from the New England states of Vermont and Massachusetts.[5] Until the tracks were abandoned in 1983,[6] the city was located at the terminus of a Milwaukee Roadbranch line that split from the railroad's Pacific Extension in McLaughlin, South Dakota.[7]
The silhouette of the two Rainy Buttes near New England is a distinguishing symbol of the town.
New England has a humid continental climate (Dfb)/cool semi-arid climate (BSk), characterised by very warm summers with moderate rainfall mostly from thunderstorms, and freezing, dry winters.[9] The frequent occurrences of warm chinook winds in winter, however, means that New England holds the record for the warmest temperature recorded in North Dakota in December and is only 1 °F or 0.6 °C below Fort Yates’ record for the state’s warmest February (and winter season) temperature.[10]
Climate data for New England, North Dakota (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1894-present)
As of the census of 2010,[14] there were 600 people, 258 households, and 132 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,224.5 per square mile (472.8/km2). There were 319 housing units at an average density of 651.0 per square mile (251.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 1.0% African American, 6.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.
There were 258 households, of which 17.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.8% were non-families. 45.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.58.
The median age was 46.6 years. 11.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 23.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup was 37.8% male and 62.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 555 people, 266 households and 155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,106.1 inhabitants per square mile (427.1/km2). There were 320 housing units at an average density of 637.8 per square mile (246.3/km2). The racial makeup was 98.20% White, 0.54% Native American, 0.36% Asian, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.
There were 266 households, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.77.
20.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median household income was $30,764 and the median family income was $39,063. Males had a median income of $30,357 and females $16,667. The per capita income was $17,489. About 7.0% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
^"Station: New England, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
