North Dakota County Map

Counties of North Dakota

North Dakota is divided into 53 counties, which serve as the primary local units of government across the state. These counties vary widely in population, geography, economy, and history—from sparsely populated prairie counties with fewer than 1,000 residents to urban counties anchored by regional hubs like Fargo and Bismarck.

Overview of North Dakota’s County System

North Dakota’s counties are political subdivisions of the state, responsible for administering local services, property records, courts, public safety, and elections. The county system reflects both the state’s frontier history and its rural, agriculture-based economy, while also supporting growing regional centers.

• Total counties: 53
• Largest by population: Cass County (Fargo area)
• Largest by land area: McKenzie County (in the oil-producing west)
• Smallest by population: Slope County (in the southwestern part of the state)
• Typical county seat role: Hosts county courthouse, main administrative offices, and key public services.

Nearly all counties in North Dakota operate under a board of county commissioners and elected officials such as the sheriff, auditor, treasurer, and state’s attorney. While structures are broadly similar across the state, local priorities and service levels differ based on population, tax base, and geography.

Complete List of North Dakota Counties and County Seats

The table below lists all 53 North Dakota counties together with their county seats and brief notes to help distinguish their geographic or economic context.

• Adams County – County seat: Hettinger
  • Location: Southwestern North Dakota, along the South Dakota border.
  • Character: Predominantly ranching and dryland farming; sparsely populated prairie.
• Barnes County – County seat: Valley City
  • Location: East-central North Dakota along the Sheyenne River.
  • Character: Mixed agriculture; Valley City is known for river bridges and higher education presence.
• Benson County – County seat: Minnewaukan
  • Location: North-central, around the western shores of Devils Lake.
  • Character: Includes portions of the Spirit Lake Reservation; affected by fluctuating lake levels.
• Billings County – County seat: Medora
  • Location: Western North Dakota in the Badlands region.
  • Character: Tourism-centered around Theodore Roosevelt National Park and historic Medora.
• Bottineau County – County seat: Bottineau
  • Location: North-central, along the Canadian border.
  • Character: Rolling hills near Turtle Mountains; mix of farming, forestry, and outdoor recreation.
• Bowman County – County seat: Bowman
  • Location: Southwestern corner of the state.
  • Character: Ranching and energy development; low population density.
• Burke County – County seat: Bowbells
  • Location: North-central, bordering Canada.
  • Character: Rural, agriculture-focused with some oil activity.
• Burleigh County – County seat: Bismarck
  • Location: Central North Dakota along the Missouri River.
  • Character: One of the most populous counties; home to the state capital, major government, health care, and services.
• Cass County – County seat: Fargo
  • Location: Extreme eastern border, along the Red River of the North.
  • Character: Most populous county; economic engine with diversified economy, higher education, and major transportation links.
• Cavalier County – County seat: Langdon
  • Location: Northeastern North Dakota along the Canadian border.
  • Character: Strong agricultural base, particularly small grains and canola.
• Dickey County – County seat: Ellendale
  • Location: Southeastern border with South Dakota.
  • Character: Farming communities; small towns with close ties to regional centers in both states.
• Divide County – County seat: Crosby
  • Location: Northwestern corner along the Canadian border.
  • Character: Sparsely populated; agriculture and oil production.
• Dunn County – County seat: Manning
  • Location: Western North Dakota, north of the Heart River.
  • Character: Mix of rangeland and energy development; proximity to Badlands and Missouri River.
• Eddy County – County seat: New Rockford
  • Location: Central-eastern portion of the state.
  • Character: Small, rural county with grain and livestock operations.
• Emmons County – County seat: Linton
  • Location: South-central, bordering South Dakota along the Missouri River.
  • Character: Ranching, farming, and strong German-Russian cultural heritage.
• Foster County – County seat: Carrington
  • Location: Central North Dakota, sometimes called the “Central City” area.
  • Character: Agriculture and agribusiness; Carrington is a small regional trade center.
• Golden Valley County – County seat: Beach
  • Location: Western edge along the Montana border.
  • Character: Badlands scenery, ranching, and interstate access via I‑94.
• Grand Forks County – County seat: Grand Forks
  • Location: Eastern North Dakota along the Red River, bordering Minnesota.
  • Character: Major population center; home to the University of North Dakota and a significant Air Force base presence nearby.
• Grant County – County seat: Carson
  • Location: South-central/west-central region.
  • Character: Predominantly agricultural with small, closely knit communities.
• Griggs County – County seat: Cooperstown
  • Location: East-central North Dakota.
  • Character: Grain farming; Cooperstown is near the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site.
• Hettinger County – County seat: Mott
  • Location: Southwestern region, east of Adams County.
  • Character: Rural ranchland and small farming communities.
• Kidder County – County seat: Steele
  • Location: Central part of the state, along I‑94.
  • Character: Agriculture and prairie pothole wetlands important for waterfowl.
• LaMoure County – County seat: LaMoure
  • Location: South-central/east-central region.
  • Character: Grain and livestock agriculture; small-town, rural character.
• Logan County – County seat: Napoleon
  • Location: South-central North Dakota.
  • Character: Sparsely populated with a strong farming and ranching presence.
• McHenry County – County seat: Towner
  • Location: North-central region.
  • Character: Agricultural county with river valleys and rolling prairie.
• McIntosh County – County seat: Ashley
  • Location: South-central, bordering South Dakota.
  • Character: Known for German-Russian heritage; farming and small-town life.
• McKenzie County – County seat: Watford City
  • Location: Western North Dakota along the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers.
  • Character: North Dakota’s largest county by area; major center of Bakken oil development and dramatic Badlands topography.
• McLean County – County seat: Washburn
  • Location: Central North Dakota along Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River.
  • Character: Energy production (coal, power generation), agriculture, and recreation on large reservoirs.
• Mercer County – County seat: Stanton
  • Location: West-central, north of the Missouri River.
  • Character: Coal mining, power plants, and lakes popular for fishing and boating.
• Morton County – County seat: Mandan
  • Location: Central, west of the Missouri River opposite Bismarck.
  • Character: Suburban and rural mix; Mandan is part of the Bismarck–Mandan metro area and a historic river town.
• Mountrail County – County seat: Stanley
  • Location: Northwestern region, south of Lake Sakakawea.
  • Character: Significant oil production, agriculture, and portions of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.
• Nelson County – County seat: Lakota
  • Location: Northeastern/central-eastern region.
  • Character: Rural, grain-oriented agriculture with small towns along key highways.
• Oliver County – County seat: Center
  • Location: Central part of the state, northwest of Bismarck.
  • Character: One of the least populous counties; mix of agriculture and energy-related industry.
• Pembina County – County seat: Cavalier
  • Location: Far northeastern corner, along the Canadian and Minnesota borders.
  • Character: One of the oldest settlement areas in the state; rich river valley farmland and cross-border commerce.
• Pierce County – County seat: Rugby
  • Location: North-central North Dakota.
  • Character: Rural agriculture; Rugby promotes itself as near the geographic center of North America.
• Ramsey County – County seat: Devils Lake
  • Location: Northeastern North Dakota.
  • Character: Centered on Devils Lake, a large natural lake; tourism, fishing, and regional commerce complement farming.
• Ransom County – County seat: Lisbon
  • Location: Southeastern region.
  • Character: Agricultural with scenic Sheyenne River valleys and small communities.
• Renville County – County seat: Mohall
  • Location: North-central, bordering Canada.
  • Character: Primarily agricultural; low population density with strong farming tradition.
• Richland County – County seat: Wahpeton
  • Location: Southeastern corner of the state, along the Minnesota border.
  • Character: Mix of agriculture and manufacturing; part of the twin-city area of Wahpeton–Breckenridge.
• Rolette County – County seat: Rolla
  • Location: North-central along the Canadian border.
  • Character: Includes a large portion of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation; forested uplands and agriculture.
• Sargent County – County seat: Forman
  • Location: Southeastern part of the state, near the South Dakota border.
  • Character: Grain and livestock farming; rural communities linked by county highways.
• Sheridan County – County seat: McClusky
  • Location: Central North Dakota.
  • Character: One of the least populous counties; dominated by small-scale agriculture and prairie landscapes.
• Sioux County – County seat: Fort Yates
  • Location: South-central, along the Missouri River and South Dakota border.
  • Character: Largely coterminous with part of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation; strong tribal governance and cultural identity.
• Slope County – County seat: Amidon
  • Location: Southwestern North Dakota.
  • Character: Often cited as one of the least populous U.S. counties; vast ranchlands and rugged terrain.
• Stark County – County seat: Dickinson
  • Location: Southwestern, along I‑94.
  • Character: Regional center for oil, agriculture, and higher education; gateway to the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park (south unit nearby).
• Steele County – County seat: Finley
  • Location: East-central North Dakota.
  • Character: Small, rural with grain farming and very low population density.
• Stutsman County – County seat: Jamestown
  • Location: Central/east-central along I‑94.
  • Character: Regional service center; Jamestown is a hub for agriculture, education, and transportation.
• Towner County – County seat: Cando
  • Location: North-central/eastern side, near the Canadian border.
  • Character: Predominantly agricultural; sometimes confused with Towner city (which is in McHenry County).
• Traill County – County seat: Hillsboro
  • Location: Eastern North Dakota between Fargo and Grand Forks.
  • Character: Rich Red River Valley farmland; many residents commute to larger cities for work.
• Walsh County – County seat: Grafton
  • Location: Northeastern region along the Red River Valley.
  • Character: Sugar beet, potato, and grain production; long-established farming communities.
• Ward County – County seat: Minot
  • Location: North-central North Dakota.
  • Character: One of the largest counties by population; Minot is a major service hub, home to Minot Air Force Base and regional transportation.
• Wells County – County seat: Fessenden
  • Location: Central North Dakota.
  • Character: Rural county with grain farming and small communities.
• Williams County – County seat: Williston
  • Location: Northwestern North Dakota along the Montana border and near the Missouri River.
  • Character: One of the fastest-growing counties during recent oil booms; major center of Bakken oil, transportation, and related services.

Administrative Roles and Responsibilities of Counties

North Dakota counties perform a wide range of governmental functions that directly affect residents’ daily lives. While cities and townships handle some local tasks, counties serve as the backbone of regional administration, especially outside the larger urban areas.

Core County Government Functions

• Public safety and justice
  • County sheriffs provide law enforcement in unincorporated areas and often run local jails.
  • State district courts typically sit in county courthouses, handling civil, criminal, and family law matters.
  • State’s attorneys (county prosecutors) manage criminal prosecutions and advise county officials.
• Property assessment and taxation
  • County assessors value real property for tax purposes, balancing fairness and revenue needs.
  • Auditors and treasurers handle tax billing, collection, and distribution to schools, townships, and other local entities.
• Records, licensing, and elections
  • Recorders or registers of deeds maintain land titles, mortgages, plats, and related documents.
  • Counties issue certain licenses (e.g., marriage licenses) and record vital statistics in coordination with the state.
  • Auditors administer elections, including ballot preparation, polling locations, and vote counting.
• Roads and infrastructure
  • County highway departments maintain county roads and many rural bridges.
  • They coordinate with the state for highway intersections and with townships for local road networks.
• Public health and social services
  • Many counties participate in multi-county health units to deliver immunizations, inspections, and health education.
  • Social service boards administer statewide programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and child welfare at the local level.
• Land use and environmental stewardship
  • Counties may adopt zoning regulations for unincorporated areas, addressing wind, oil, and other developments.
  • They partner with local soil conservation districts on erosion control and water quality initiatives.

Geographic Regions and How Counties Differ Across the State

Considering North Dakota’s counties by region helps explain differences in population, economy, and land use. Four broad areas commonly used in planning and public policy are the Red River Valley, Central Prairie, Oil Patch/West, and Missouri Plateau/Badlands.

Red River Valley and Eastern Counties

• Representative counties: Cass, Grand Forks, Traill, Richland, Walsh, Pembina, Steele
• Key traits:
  • Flat, highly fertile glacial lakebed soils; some of the most productive farmland in the United States.
  • Higher population densities, including Fargo and Grand Forks metropolitan areas.
  • Strong presence of higher education, health care, manufacturing, and technology services.
  • Increased attention to flood control along the Red River and its tributaries.

Central Prairie Counties

• Representative counties: Stutsman, Foster, Kidder, Wells, Barnes, Griggs, LaMoure
• Key traits:
  • Mixed-grain and livestock farming on rolling prairie.
  • Mid-sized regional hubs like Jamestown and Valley City providing retail, health care, and education services.
  • Prairie pothole wetlands critical for migratory waterfowl and conservation efforts.

Western Oil Patch Counties

• Representative counties: Williams, McKenzie, Mountrail, Dunn, Stark, Divide, Burke
• Key traits:
  • Core of Bakken and Three Forks shale oil development, with rapid growth during energy booms.
  • Significant strain on housing, roads, schools, and emergency services during peak development cycles.
  • Blend of long-standing ranching traditions with high-tech energy extraction.

Badlands, Missouri Plateau, and Tribal Lands

• Representative counties: Billings, Golden Valley, Sioux, Rolette, Benson, McLean, Morton
• Key traits:
  • Rugged terrain, scenic Badlands, and major reservoirs like Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe.
  • Substantial tribal lands, including parts of the Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain, Spirit Lake, and Fort Berthold reservations.
  • Economies that balance tourism, outdoor recreation, agriculture, energy, and tribal enterprises.

Demographic and Economic Patterns by County

Population distribution in North Dakota is highly uneven. A small number of counties anchored by regional centers account for a large portion of the state’s residents, while many rural counties have only a few hundred to a few thousand people.

Urban and Growing Counties

• Cass County (Fargo area)
  • Largest county by population; central to banking, education, technology, and health care.
  • Home to multiple colleges and universities, which contribute to a younger demographic profile.
• Burleigh and Morton Counties (Bismarck–Mandan area)
  • Government, energy, and service industries dominate.
  • Steady growth tied to state government, health care, and regional commerce.
• Grand Forks and Ward Counties (Grand Forks and Minot)
  • Military installations (Minot AFB, Grand Forks AFB historically) shape local economies and demographics.
  • Higher education institutions drive research, innovation, and cultural activities.

Rural and Sparsely Populated Counties

• Counties such as Slope, Billings, Sheridan, and Oliver
  • Very low population density, in some cases under 1,000 residents.
  • Economies dominated by ranching, dryland farming, and small-scale enterprises.
  • Residents often travel to neighboring counties for specialized medical, retail, or higher education services.
• Challenges in rural counties
  • Maintaining infrastructure—especially roads and bridges—across large land areas with limited tax base.
  • Recruiting and retaining health care providers, teachers, and emergency personnel.
  • Managing out-migration of younger residents while supporting aging populations.

Historical Development of North Dakota Counties

The organization of counties in North Dakota reflects its transition from frontier territory to statehood and the evolution of transportation and settlement patterns.

Territorial Era and Early Formation

• Before North Dakota became a state in 1889, county boundaries were drawn and redrawn under the Dakota Territory legislature.
• Many counties originally covered much larger areas and were later subdivided as settlement expanded and rail lines were constructed.
• County seats often followed railroads, with towns vying for the political and economic advantages of being chosen.

Consolidation and Modern Boundaries

• By the early 20th century, most of today’s 53 counties had been created and organized.
• Some proposed counties never fully organized or were merged when populations failed to materialize.
• Modern county lines reflect a combination of survey grids, river boundaries, and historical compromises among local interests.

County Governance and Collaboration

Counties in North Dakota operate under state law but retain local choice in organizational details. They rely heavily on cooperation—with each other, with cities and townships, and with tribal governments—to deliver services efficiently.

County Boards and Elected Officials

• Board of County Commissioners
  • Acts as the primary legislative and budget authority for the county.
  • Typically composed of three to five elected commissioners, depending on county size.
  • Oversees departments, sets tax levies, and adopts local policies within state constraints.
• Elected offices
  • Common countywide elected officials include sheriff, auditor, treasurer, recorder, clerk of court (in some counties), and state’s attorney.
  • In smaller counties, some positions may be combined or share staff to reduce costs.

Inter-County and State Partnerships

• Multi-county service districts
  • Rural counties often form joint health units, social service zones, or emergency communication centers.
  • Pooling resources allows for specialized staff and technology that a single small county could not afford alone.
• Cooperation with tribal governments
  • Counties that encompass or border reservations coordinate on law enforcement, roads, emergency response, and land use.
  • Jurisdictional boundaries can be complex, requiring clear agreements and ongoing communication.

Practical Uses of County Information for Residents and Visitors

Understanding North Dakota’s counties helps residents, businesses, and visitors navigate public services and regulations. County-level differences can influence everything from tax rates to land use rules.

For Residents

• Public records and property matters
  • Land ownership, deeds, and plats are recorded by county, so any real estate transaction involves the appropriate county recorder.
  • Property tax assessments and appeals are handled through the county where the property is located.
• Voting and civic participation
  • Voter registration and election administration occur at the county level, even for statewide and federal elections.
  • Residents can attend county commission meetings to weigh in on budgets, zoning, and local policies.

For Businesses and Landowners

• Zoning and development
  • Projects in unincorporated areas must comply with county zoning ordinances, which differ from one county to another.
  • Counties regulate conditional uses such as wind farms, grain terminals, or industrial facilities.
• Tax structure and incentives
  • Mill levies and local option taxes vary by county, affecting the overall cost of operation.
  • Economic development offices at the county or multi-county level may offer assistance to new or expanding businesses.

For Travelers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

• Navigating public lands and recreation
  • Many hunting, fishing, and recreation regulations depend on county boundaries as well as state game management units.
  • County road maps are valuable for accessing trailheads, wildlife areas, and less-traveled scenic routes.
• Services along major corridors
  • Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 2 cross multiple counties from east to west, with larger county seats offering lodging, fuel, and repairs.
  • Western counties provide access to the Badlands, national and state parks, and reservoirs popular with anglers and boaters.