DICKINSON, ND

Dickinson is a city in Stark County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Stark County. The population was 25,679 at the 2020 census.

Since the North Dakota oil boom the city has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. According to the 2020 census, the city is estimated to have a population of 25,679, however, other sources have estimates of the population at 33,646 or possibly exceeding 35,000. The rapid growth of the city led to an increase in crime and homelessness within the city limits. Dickinson is home to the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, which has a museum and holds events year round for the local Ukrainian community.

Dickinson is the principal city of the Dickinson Micropolitan Statistical Area, a micropolitan area that covers Billings and Stark counties and had a combined population of 34,591 at the 2010 census.

History

Dickinson was founded in 1881. Dickinson was named for its founder, W. S. Dickinson, a native of Malone, New York.

Geography

Dickinson is located at (46.883575, −102.788811).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Dickinson's municipal water supplies come from Southwest Water Authority which, in turn, gets their water from Lake Sakakawea through a transmission pipeline.

Climate

Nearly all of Stark County has a humid continental climate of warm summer (Köppen: Dfb), but due to low precipitation and marginality between climate with dry season defined (Dwb) and semi-arid climate (BSk), Dickinson can be said to be prone to periods of drought, even though it is defined as wet all year round. Its climate is similar to Bismarck's, though a bit less extreme. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from in January to in July; on average, temperatures reach on 2.2 days, on 22 days, and on 32 days annually. The average window for freezing temperatures is September 22 thru May 16 and for measurable (≥) snow, October 26 thru April 19. Due to the relative aridity, there are only 2.8 days where 24-hour snowfall exceeds . With a period of record dating only to 1893, extreme temperatures range from as recently as January 12, 2011 to on July 6, 1936.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,787 people, 7,521 households, and 4,308 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 7,865 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% White, 1.0% African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population. It is estimated Dickinson has currently grown close to 35,000 people, due to the boom of the Bakken Oil Shale

There were 7,521 households, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.7% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 35.6 years. 21% of residents were under the age of 18; 14.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,010 people, 6,517 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,690.7 inhabitants per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 742.7 per square mile (286.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.16% White, 0.27% African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

The top 6 ancestry groups in the city are German (54.1%), Norwegian (14.2%), Czech (7.5%), Russian (7.2%), Irish (5.5%), English (3.7%).

There were 6,517 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,542, and the median income for a family was $41,566. Males had a median income of $30,613 versus $19,951 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,975. About 7.1% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

K-12

The Dickinson Public Schools system includes six elementary schools, a junior high school, Dickinson High School and an alternative high school. There are also several parochial schools in Dickinson. Trinity East and Trinity West serve as the parochial elementary schools and Dickinson Trinity has both a junior high school and a high school. Hope Christian Academy is also located in Dickinson. HCA is part of the Evangelical Bible Church. The current principal is Shane Bradley.

Higher education

Transportation

Dickinson is served by Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport. United Express provides commercial airline service to Denver. Delta Connection discontinued service to Minneapolis on December 1, 2015

FedEx Express has daily cargo flight service between Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK) and Hector International Airport (FAR) in Fargo, ND. The flights operate Monday through Saturday using Cessna 208B Caravans with Cargomaster cargo pods.

Jefferson Lines offers regional bus service throughout the Midwest and stops at the Paragon Lanes Bowling Alley in Dickinson almost daily throughout the week.

The former Northern Pacific Railway line now owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway provides only freight service to Dickinson.

Interstate 94 has interchanges in Dickinson at Exits 59, 61, and 64. It also has an I-94 Business Loop between exits 59 and 64. The state route within Dickinson is North Dakota Highway 22 which runs north and south along Main Avenue and Third Avenue. ND 22 has a truck route along Southwest Eighth Street, State Avenue and West Villard Street due to the low bridge for the former Northern Pacific Railway line.

Law enforcement

The Dickinson Police Department employs about 50 full-time sworn police officers and 24 full-time civilian employees, including dispatchers, records staff and animal control.

Media

Print

Television

Digital

Radio

FM band

AM band

Sites of interest

Sports

Notable people