Burke County, North Dakota

History

Burke County was partitioned in 1910 from what was once known as 'Imperial Ward' County (which covered present-day Burke, Mountrail, Renville, and Ward counties). It is named after John Burke (1859–1937), a politician who served as governor of North Dakota and Treasurer of the United States. The county government was first organized on July 15, 1910; the county seat has always been Bowbells.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,129 square miles (2,920 km²), of which 1,104 square miles (2,860 km²) is land and 25 square miles (65 km²) (2.2%) is water.

Major highways

National protected areas

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,242 people, 1,013 households, and 680 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.0 people per square mile (0.8/km²). There were 1,412 housing units at an average density of 1.3 per square mile (0.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.24% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.22% from two or more races. 0.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.4% were of Norwegian, 18.4% German and 7.4% Swedish ancestry.

There were 1,013 households out of which 23.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 31.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.77.

The county's population was spread out with 20.80% under the age of 18, 3.50% from 18 to 24, 22.30% from 25 to 44, 28.30% from 45 to 64, and 25.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,330, and the median income for a family was $31,384. Males had a median income of $28,164 versus $16,382 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,026. About 11.70% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 1,968 people, 913 households, and 567 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.8 inhabitants per square mile (0.69/km²). There were 1,340 housing units at an average density of 1.2 per square mile (0.46/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.8% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.0% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry,

Of the 913 households, 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.9% were non-families, and 33.6% 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 48.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,800 and the median income for a family was $62,283. Males had a median income of $49,958 versus $27,206 for females. The per capita income for the county was $32,347. About 3.3% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The main industries are farming and oil. Burke County is one of several western North Dakota counties with significant exposure to the Bakken Formation in the Williston Basin.

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities