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Cavalier County, North Dakota

Coordinates: 48°46′06″N 98°27′50″W / 48.768439°N 98.46379°W / 48.768439; -98.46379
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cavalier County
County
The Cavalier County Courthouse in Langdon.
The Cavalier County Courthouse in Langdon.
Map of North Dakota highlighting Cavalier 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: 48°46′06″N 98°27′50″W / 48.768439°N 98.46379°W / 48.768439; -98.46379
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 4, 1873 (created)
July 8, 1884 (organized)
Named afterFur trapper and explorer Charles Cavalier
SeatLangdon
Largest cityLangdon
Area
 • Total
1,509.835 sq mi (3,910.45 km2)
 • Land1,489.125 sq mi (3,856.82 km2)
 • Water20.710 sq mi (53.64 km2)  1.37%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
3,704
 • Estimate 
(2024)
3,567 Decrease
 • Density2.395/sq mi (0.925/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code701
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitecavaliercounty.us

Cavalier County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It is south of the Canada–US border with Manitoba. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,704,[1] and was estimated to be 3,567 in 2024.[2] The county seat and the largest city is Langdon.[3]

There is also a city named Cavalier but it is not located in Cavalier County. The City of Cavalier is the county seat of Pembina County, west of Cavalier County.

History

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The Dakota Territory legislature created Cavalier County on January 4, 1873, with territory annexed from Pembina County, but did not organize the county government structure at that time. It was named for Charles Cavileer (or Cavalier)[4] of Pembina, an early settler.[5]

The county organization was affected on July 8, 1884. Its boundaries were altered in 1883 and in 1887.[6][7]

After petitioning the Territorial Governor for permission to organize the county, Patrick McHugh, W. Hudson Matthews, and L.C. Noracong met on July 8, 1884. On July 26 the new county officials met for the second time and chose Noracong as chairman of the board with William H. Doyle and Matthews as Commissioners. The first Register of Deeds and County Clerk was McHugh. W.J. Mooney became the first Judge of Probate, Charles B. Nelson was the first Cavalier County Supt. of Schools, and Clarence Hawkes the first sheriff.[citation needed] Cavalier took its current form in 1887 after the Territorial Legislature authorized an increase in size by taking a portion from Pembina County. The expansion added 15 new townships to the county.[6]

A site for a county seat was selected at the second meeting; it was named Langdon, for Robert Bruce Langdon of Minnesota, an official with the Great Northern Railroad. Langdon never visited the town, but reportedly donated a bell for the local school.[8]

The first courthouse was built in 1884 at a cost of $360.00. It was used briefly and then abandoned for warmer and more centrally located quarters in a downtown bank. A large brick courthouse was built in 1895 on the present site at a contract cost of $9,099.00. This building served county officials until the current courthouse was constructed in 1957–58.[9]

Cavalier County Historical Society

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Established after 1969 - The Holy Trinity Church at Dresden, ND became the cornerstone of the County Museum. It now houses local historic artifacts and landmarks.

The Holy Trinity Church at Dresden replaced two previous wooden structures that both burned. The present structure was erected in 1936, built out of fieldstone collected by the local parishioners. An architect from Minneapolis, Fabian Redmond, designed the building. A stonemason from Rugby ND, Edroy Patterson, directed volunteer workers.

Assisting in the building of the church were Andrew Bachman-head carpenter, Alphonse Hiltner, Stanley Koehmstedt and William Geisen.

Geography

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Cavalier County is located on the north edge of North Dakota. Its north boundary line abuts the south boundary line of Canada. The Pembina River enters from Manitoba and flows southeasterly through the eastern part of the county, exiting near the SE corner. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds in the western part.[10] The terrain slopes to the east, with its highest point near the midpoint of the south boundary line at 1,644 ft (501 m) ASL.[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,509.835 square miles (3,910.45 km2), of which 1,489.125 square miles (3,856.82 km2) is land and 20.710 square miles (53.64 km2) (1.37%) is water.[12] It is the 16th largest county in North Dakota by total area.[13]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

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Lakes

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18906,471—
190012,58094.4%
191015,65924.5%
192015,555−0.7%
193014,554−6.4%
194013,923−4.3%
195011,840−15.0%
196010,064−15.0%
19708,213−18.4%
19807,636−7.0%
19906,064−20.6%
20004,831−20.3%
20103,993−17.3%
20203,704−7.2%
2024 (est.)3,567[14]−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010–2020[2]

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median home value in Cavalier County was $129,584.[19]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 1,539 estimated households in Cavalier County with an average of 2.32 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $67,064. Approximately 9.2% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Cavalier County has an estimated 60.4% employment rate, with 22.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.1% holding a high school diploma.[2]

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (95.6%), Spanish (1.5%), Indo-European (2.4%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.1%), and Other (0.4%).

The median age in the county was 47.1 years.

Cavalier County, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[20] Pop. 1990[21] Pop. 2000[22] Pop. 2010[23] Pop. 2020[24]
White alone (NH) 7,572
(99.16%)		 6,004
(99.01%)		 4,720
(97.70%)		 3,890
(97.42%)		 3,485
(94.09%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 1
(0.01%)		 4
(0.07%)		 6
(0.12%)		 4
(0.10%)		 2
(0.05%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 38
(0.50%)		 45
(0.74%)		 25
(0.52%)		 35
(0.88%)		 28
(0.76%)
Asian alone (NH) 6
(0.08%)		 3
(0.05%)		 4
(0.08%)		 9
(0.23%)		 16
(0.43%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 0
(0.00%)		 1
(0.03%)		 0
(0.00%)
Other race alone (NH) 3
(0.04%)		 0
(0.00%)		 2
(0.04%)		 1
(0.03%)		 15
(0.40%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 43
(0.89%)		 29
(0.73%)		 113
(3.05%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16
(0.21%)		 8
(0.13%)		 31
(0.64%)		 24
(0.60%)		 45
(1.21%)
Total 7,636
(100.00%)		 6,064
(100.00%)		 4,831
(100.00%)		 3,993
(100.00%)		 3,704
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

[edit]

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 3,567 people and 1,539 households residing in the county. There were 2,106 housing units at an average density of 1.41 per square mile (0.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.0% White (92.8% NH White), 0.7% African American, 2.0% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.5% of the population.[25]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,704 people, 1,661 households, and 1,034 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 2.5 inhabitants per square mile (1.0/km2). There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 1.41 per square mile (0.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.60% White, 0.08% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from some other races and 3.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.21% of the population.[27]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 3,993 people, 1,818 households, and 1,142 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.7 inhabitants per square mile (1.0/km2). There were 2,309 housing units at an average density of 1.55 per square mile (0.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.72% White, 0.10% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from some other races and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.60% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 44.5% were German, 28.8% were Norwegian, 10.8% were American, 5.8% were Irish, 5.7% were Swedish, and 5.4% were English.

There were 1,818 households, 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.2% were non-families, and 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 50.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $48,786 and the median income for a family was $57,066. Males had a median income of $41,885 versus $26,914 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,468. About 6.1% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 10.8% 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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  • Union
  • Vang
  • Weaver[10]

Townships

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  • Alma
  • Banner
  • Billings
  • Bruce
  • Byron
  • Cypress
  • Dresden
  • Easby
  • East Alma
  • Elgin
  • Fremont
  • Glenila
  • Gordon
  • Grey
  • Harvey
  • Hay
  • Henderson
  • Hope
  • Huron
  • Langdon
  • Linden
  • Loam
  • Manilla
  • Minto
  • Montrose
  • Moscow
  • Mount Carmel
  • Nekoma
  • North Loma
  • North Olga
  • Osford
  • Osnabrock
  • Perry
  • Seivert
  • South Dresden
  • South Olga
  • Storlie
  • Trier
  • Waterloo
  • West Hope

Politics

[edit]

Cavalier County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Cavalier County, North Dakota[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,461 73.53% 491 24.71% 35 1.76%
2020 1,499 74.21% 474 23.47% 47 2.33%
2016 1,357 67.65% 476 23.73% 173 8.62%
2012 1,195 57.76% 818 39.54% 56 2.71%
2008 1,128 52.96% 930 43.66% 72 3.38%
2004 1,522 62.27% 887 36.29% 35 1.43%
2000 1,513 63.81% 618 26.06% 240 10.12%
1996 1,188 47.85% 941 37.90% 354 14.26%
1992 1,527 48.85% 866 27.70% 733 23.45%
1988 2,096 60.63% 1,333 38.56% 28 0.81%
1984 2,661 69.95% 1,110 29.18% 33 0.87%
1980 2,582 64.92% 1,105 27.78% 290 7.29%
1976 2,046 47.58% 2,178 50.65% 76 1.77%
1972 2,898 60.07% 1,867 38.70% 59 1.22%
1968 1,953 50.85% 1,631 42.46% 257 6.69%
1964 1,417 33.49% 2,810 66.41% 4 0.09%
1960 2,430 51.23% 2,312 48.75% 1 0.02%
1956 2,450 57.04% 1,836 42.75% 9 0.21%
1952 3,519 69.66% 1,496 29.61% 37 0.73%
1948 1,864 44.83% 2,198 52.86% 96 2.31%
1944 2,011 46.68% 2,274 52.79% 23 0.53%
1940 2,845 50.64% 2,757 49.07% 16 0.28%
1936 1,657 28.52% 3,533 60.82% 619 10.66%
1932 1,471 27.83% 3,770 71.33% 44 0.83%
1928 3,068 54.86% 2,510 44.89% 14 0.25%
1924 2,428 54.65% 539 12.13% 1,476 33.22%
1920 3,936 79.21% 981 19.74% 52 1.05%
1916 1,502 55.08% 1,149 42.13% 76 2.79%
1912 561 24.07% 932 39.98% 838 35.95%
1908 1,528 55.06% 1,190 42.88% 57 2.05%
1904 1,664 66.77% 771 30.94% 57 2.29%
1900 1,361 51.34% 1,211 45.68% 79 2.98%

See also

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[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cavalier County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  4. ^ ND Certificate of Death for Charles Cavalier, died August 4, 1902 in Pembina County (accessed February 16, 2019)
  5. ^ Cavaleer or Cavalier was a fur trader, customs agent and postmaster. [North Dakota Secretary of State (1989). North Dakota Centennial Blue Book. Bismarck: North Dakota Legislative Assembly. p. 484.] There is no explanation for the difference in the spelling; one placename historian suspects it was an attempt to Gallicize, or make the name appear French.[Williams, Mary Ann (Barnes) (1966). Origins of North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck: Bismarck Tribune, 1966. p. 221. OCLC 431626.]
  6. ^ a b "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  7. ^ "County History". www.nd.gov. State of North Dakota. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  8. ^ Wick, Douglas A. (1988). North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck: Hedemarken Collectibles. p. 109. ISBN 0-9620968-0-6. OCLC 191277027.
  9. ^ Cavalier County (website)
  10. ^ a b c Cavalier County ND Google Maps (accessed February 16, 2019)
  11. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Cavalier County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 16, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cavalier County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  14. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  17. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  19. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  20. ^ "Cavalier County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  21. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics North Dakota" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 20. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cavalier County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cavalier County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cavalier County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  25. ^ "County Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  26. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  27. ^ "How many people live in Cavalier County, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  28. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
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