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Golden Valley County, North Dakota

Coordinates: 46°56′N 103°50′W / 46.94°N 103.84°W / 46.94; -103.84
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Golden Valley County
County
Golden Valley County Courthouse in Beach
Golden Valley County Courthouse in Beach
Map of North Dakota highlighting Golden Valley County
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°56′N 103°50′W / 46.94°N 103.84°W / 46.94; -103.84
Country United States
State North Dakota
Founded1912
SeatBeach
Largest cityBeach
Area
 • Total
1,002 sq mi (2,600 km2)
 • Land1,001 sq mi (2,590 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,736
 • Estimate 
(2022)
1,744 Increase
 • Density1.7/sq mi (0.67/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.goldenvalleycounty.org

Golden Valley County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,736,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in North Dakota. The county seat is Beach.[2]

The county should not be confused with the city of Golden Valley, which is located in Mercer County.

History

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In the general election held November 8, 1910, the voters of Billings County chose to separate the western portion of Billings and form a new county. This result was immediately challenged in court; on September 19, 1912, the ND Supreme Court upheld the election result; therefore the legislature completed the county's organization on November 13, 1912.[3]

Golden Valley was called 'Rattlesnake Flats' by early settlers, due to the large number of the snakes found in the area. The region was dubbed Golden Valley in 1902 after a group of land surveyors noticed that the sunlight gave the surrounding grasses a distinct golden color.[4]

Election controversy

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The vote in 1910 to create Golden Valley County was 837 for and 756 against. Shortly after the vote was certified, suit was filed against the Billings County Commission to overturn the result. The plaintiffs alleged that the certification of election was improper, and that certain pre-marked "unofficial" ballots printed by supporters of the new county were cast in place of official ballots, and should be voided. The trial court originally ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The county appealed to the North Dakota Supreme Court, which upheld the county's certification of the election. The court also ruled the pre-marked ballots were invalid, but that the number of invalid votes was not sufficient to overturn the election results.[5] The court's decision upholding the new county was made on September 19, 1912, and Golden Valley was formally organized on November 13, 1912.

Outline map of Golden Valley County, North Dakota, 1919

Geography

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Golden Valley County lies on the west line of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Montana. Beaver Creek flows east-northeastward through the upper portion of the county, and Little Missouri River flows northeastward through the southeastern corner of the county, with gullies flowing southeastward draining the lower county into the Little Mo River. The county terrain consists of semi-arid hills, dedicated to agriculture in the level areas.[6] The terrain slopes to the east and north, with its highest point on hills at the southwestern corner at 3,251 ft (991 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 1,002 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 1,001 square miles (2,590 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.[8]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Lakes

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Source:[6]

  • Bosserman Lake
  • Camels Hump Lake
  • Odland Dam

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19204,832—
19304,122−14.7%
19403,498−15.1%
19503,4990.0%
19603,100−11.4%
19702,611−15.8%
19802,391−8.4%
19902,108−11.8%
20001,924−8.7%
20101,680−12.7%
20201,7363.3%
2022 (est.)1,744[9]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020, there were 1,736 people.

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 1,680 people, 774 households, and 429 families in the county. The population density was 1.7 inhabitants per square mile (0.66/km2). There were 967 housing units at an average density of 1.0 units per square mile (0.39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.6% American Indian, 0.6% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 69.0% were German, 14.7% were Norwegian, 10.7% were Polish, 7.9% were Irish, 7.5% were English, and 2.5% were American.

Of the 774 households, 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.6% were non-families, and 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,333 and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $32,875 versus $26,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,899. About 8.9% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

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Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Source:[6]

  • Chama
  • De Mores
  • Ekre
  • Rider
  • Thelan
  • Trotters

Townships

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Former townships

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Unorganized territories

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  • East Golden Valley
  • Elmwood (formerly a township)
  • North Golden Valley
  • South Golden Valley

Politics

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Golden Valley County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Golden Valley County, North Dakota[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 847 85.47% 122 12.31% 22 2.22%
2020 871 84.89% 137 13.35% 18 1.75%
2016 796 83.18% 99 10.34% 62 6.48%
2012 742 79.96% 162 17.46% 24 2.59%
2008 642 73.37% 210 24.00% 23 2.63%
2004 719 77.56% 195 21.04% 13 1.40%
2000 611 75.25% 156 19.21% 45 5.54%
1996 520 56.28% 235 25.43% 169 18.29%
1992 503 45.15% 255 22.89% 356 31.96%
1988 781 66.02% 388 32.80% 14 1.18%
1984 964 73.09% 325 24.64% 30 2.27%
1980 1,006 74.57% 259 19.20% 84 6.23%
1976 633 52.40% 479 39.65% 96 7.95%
1972 774 62.98% 362 29.45% 93 7.57%
1968 735 61.30% 348 29.02% 116 9.67%
1964 722 54.53% 602 45.47% 0 0.00%
1960 825 55.04% 672 44.83% 2 0.13%
1956 824 58.98% 567 40.59% 6 0.43%
1952 1,186 75.93% 376 24.07% 0 0.00%
1948 788 56.25% 585 41.76% 28 2.00%
1944 709 61.23% 443 38.26% 6 0.52%
1940 873 55.57% 689 43.86% 9 0.57%
1936 581 35.02% 991 59.73% 87 5.24%
1932 653 38.53% 1,023 60.35% 19 1.12%
1928 937 62.51% 552 36.82% 10 0.67%
1924 718 48.29% 140 9.41% 629 42.30%
1920 1,177 77.08% 286 18.73% 64 4.19%
1916 499 39.32% 697 54.93% 73 5.75%

Notable people

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See also

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[edit]
  • Rangeland, wooded drainageways, and badland
    Rangeland, wooded drainageways, and badland
  • Stream valley, rangeland and badland
    Stream valley, rangeland and badland
  • Church building in Trotters
    Church building in Trotters

References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Long, John H. (2006). "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ a b North Dakota Historical Records Survey (1941). Inventory of the County Archives of North Dakota. Vol. 17, Golden Valley County. Bismarck ND: North Dakota Historical Records Survey. Retrieved via Ancestry.com.
  5. ^ Pederson v. Board of Commissioners of Billings County, 23 N.D. 547., 137 N.W. 484 (N.D. 1912). Retrieved via Westlaw.
  6. ^ a b c "Golden Valley County · North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Golden Valley County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 18, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  15. ^ Frontier Cavalcade, The Dickinson Press, March 14, 1957
[edit]

46°56′N 103°50′W / 46.94°N 103.84°W / 46.94; -103.84

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