KIDDER County, ND

Kidder County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,394. Its county seat is Steele.

History

The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with areas partitioned from Buffalo County. The county government was not organized at that time, nor was the area attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. It was named for Jefferson Parrish Kidder, a delegate to the United States Congress from Dakota Territory (1875–1879) and associate justice of the territorial supreme court (1865-1875, 1879-1883). The county government was effected on March 22, 1881.

The county boundaries were altered on 1879 with territory partitioned to Burleigh, and in 1885 with territory partitioned from Burleigh County. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since 1885.

Geography

The terrain of Kidder County consists of hills dotted with lakes and ponds, largely devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the east and south; its highest point is a hill near its northwestern corner, at 2,064' (629m) ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (5.7%) is water.

Major highways

Lakes

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,753 people, 1,158 households, and 787 families in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,610 housing units at an average density of 1.27 per square mile (0.49/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.49% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.07% Asian, and 0.15% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 64.2% were of German and 15.4% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 1,158 households, out of which 27.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 4.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 29.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.91.

The county population contained 23.20% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 24.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,389, and the median income for a family was $30,469. Males had a median income of $23,056 versus $17,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,270. About 17.60% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,435 people, 1,059 households, and 722 families in the county. The population density was . There were 1,674 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.3% white, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 1.9% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 65.8% were German, 21.8% were Norwegian, 8.2% were Russian, 6.0% were English, and 1.7% were American.

Of the 1,059 households, 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age was 47.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,250 and the median income for a family was $47,981. Males had a median income of $35,380 versus $24,330 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,502. About 15.1% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.1% of those under age 18 and 23.1% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Unorganized territories

Politics

Kidder County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).