North Dakota

D

Electricity

Thermal power plants fueled by the state’s lignite supply account for 94 percent of the electricity generated. The remaining electricity comes from hydroelectric sources. The large Garrison Dam project on the Missouri River is publicly owned and operated. Fuels are more than adequate to support increased industry in the state.

E

Transportation

North Dakota has an extensive system of railroad lines, many serving to transport agricultural products from small farming communities. Farm products account for 55 percent of the goods hauled by rail and originating in the state, coal makes up 20 percent, and processed foods represent another 19 percent. In 2004 the state had 5,782 km (3,593 mi) of railroad track.

The principal east-west highway is Interstate 94, which draws a nearly straight line across the southern portion of the state. The main north-south route is Interstate 29, along the eastern border. In 2007 North Dakota had 139,759 km (86,842 mi) of public roads, of which 919 km (571 mi) were federal interstate highways.

There were 8 airports in the North Dakota in 2009, many of which were private airfields. The largest was in Fargo, although none of the state’s airports were considered busy by national standards.

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IV

The People of North Dakota

A

Population Patterns

North Dakota is the 18th largest state, but in population it ranked 47th in 2000, with 641,481 people. Its population density was just 3.6 persons per sq km (9.2 per sq mi). In 1930 the state had 681,000 inhabitants, but the population then declined to 620,000 in 1950. The population grew by about 2 percent in the 1950s, then fell 2 percent in the 1960s. From 1970 to 1980 the population grew by 5.7 percent, only to fall again by 2.1 percent between 1980 and 1990. It grew by just 0.5 percent between 1990 and 2000.

In 2000 only 56 percent of North Dakotans were classified as urban dwellers. The rural population has dropped markedly, however, since 1950 and undoubtedly will continue to do so as farmers seek employment in the cities. Some of North Dakota’s cities have shown sharp population increases. Bismarck more than doubled in population between 1950 and 1990.

B

Principal Cities

North Dakota has three standard metropolitan statistical areas. The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, which extends into Minnesota, had a 2006 population of 187,000. The Grand Forks metropolitan area, which also extends into Minnesota, had a population of 96,500. The Bismarck metropolitan area had a population of 101,100. The city of Fargo by itself had 90,056 inhabitants in 2006. Bismarck, with 58,333 people, Grand Forks, with 50,372, and Minot, with 34,745, were the only other large cities. Most of North Dakota’s cities are important railroad junctions and therefore serve as supply centers for their regions. Fargo and Grand Forks are university cities, as well as trade and commercial centers, and Minot has a large state college. Bismarck, the capital, is the administrative center of the state and also a major commercial center. Bismarck grew up as a natural transportation junction because the Missouri River could easily be crossed at that site.

The ancestors of many North Dakotans emigrated from Norway, Germany, Russia, and Canada. In 2000 whites comprised the largest share of the population, representing 92.4 percent of the people. Native Americans, many of whom were of the Ojibwa and Sioux peoples, were 4.9 percent of the population; blacks were 0.6 percent, Asians were 0.6 percent, and those of mixed heritage or not reporting race were 1.5 percent. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders numbered 230. Hispanics, who may be of any race, were 1.2 percent of the population.

C

Religion

More than three-quarters of North Dakota’s population are members of a Christian church, the highest rate of church membership of any state outside of Utah. Most church members belong to Protestant denominations, the largest of which is the Lutherans. Nearly one-third of churchgoers are members of the Roman Catholic church.

V

Education and Cultural Institutions

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