McLean County, North Dakota

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,328 square miles (6,030 km²), of which 2,111 square miles (5,470 km²) is land and 217 square miles (560 km²) (9.3%) is water. It is the third-largest county in North Dakota by land area and second-largest by total area.

Major highways

National protected areas

McLean County has more National Wildlife Refuges than any other county in the United States.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,311 people, 3,815 households, and 2,712 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 5,264 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.52% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 5.95% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 48.6% were of German and 22.1% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 3,815 households out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 5.10% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,337, and the median income for a family was $39,604. Males had a median income of $32,376 versus $18,224 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,220. About 10.40% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,962 people, 3,897 households, and 2,600 families residing in the county. The population density was 4.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.6/km²). There were 5,590 housing units at an average density of 2.6 per square mile (1.0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.0% white, 7.0% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 54.4% were German, 24.6% were Norwegian, 6.5% were Irish, 5.6% were Swedish, 5.1% were English, and 3.6% were American.

Of the 3,897 households, 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.3% were non-families, and 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 49.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,922 and the median income for a family was $62,686. Males had a median income of $48,906 versus $29,431 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,029. About 6.5% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Communities flooded by Garrison Dam