Cass County, North Dakota

Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 149,778, and was estimated to be 181,923 in 2019.[1] Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota, accounting for nearly 23% of the state's population in 2018.[2][3] Its county seat is Fargo,[4] the most populous city in the state.

Cass County
U.S. county
Cass County Courthouse in Fargo
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°56′N 97°15′W
Country United States
State North Dakota
Founded1873
Named forGeorge Washington Cass
SeatFargo
Largest cityFargo
Area
 • Total1,768 sq mi (4,580 km2)
 • Land1,765 sq mi (4,570 km2)
 • Water3.0 sq mi (8 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total149,778
 • Estimate 
(2019)
181,923
 • Density85/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.co.cass.nd.us

Cass County is part of the Fargo, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Cass County was defined by action of the Dakota Territory legislature on January 4, 1873, and its organization was effected on October 27 of that year. It was named for railroad executive George Washington Cass (1810 - 1888).[5] Its boundaries were altered in 1875, and in 1961.[6][7]

Geography

Cass County lies on the east side of North Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota across the river. The Red River flows northward along the county's east boundary, on its way to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. The county's terrain consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around developed areas.[8] Its terrain slopes to the north and east, with its highest point on the SW corner at 1,194' (364m) ASL.[9] The county has a total area of 1,768 square miles (4,580 km2), of which 1,765 square miles (4,570 km2) is land and 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[10]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Lakes

Cass County has the following lakes:[8]

  • Brewer Lake

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18808,998—
189019,613118.0%
190028,62545.9%
191033,93518.6%
192041,47722.2%
193048,73517.5%
194052,8498.4%
195058,87711.4%
196066,94713.7%
197073,65310.0%
198088,24719.8%
1990102,87416.6%
2000123,13819.7%
2010149,77821.6%
Est. 2019181,923[11]21.5%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 123,138 people, 51,315 households, and 29,814 families in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 53,790 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.10% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 1.08% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 1.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.1% were of German and 32.4% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 51,315 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 23.4% under the age of 18, 16.0% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,147, and the median income for a family was $51,469. Males had a median income of $32,216 versus $22,300 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,889. About 5.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 149,778 people, 63,899 households, and 35,215 families in the county.[16] The population density was 84.9 inhabitants per square mile (32.8/km2). There were 67,938 housing units at an average density of 38.5 per square mile (14.9/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 91.7% white, 2.4% Asian, 2.3% black or African American, 1.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 45.4% were German, 35.8% were Norwegian, 9.2% were Irish, 6.3% were Swedish, and 1.7% were American.[18]

Of the 63,899 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.9% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 31.5 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,600 and the median income for a family was $68,858. Males had a median income of $42,557 versus $31,916 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,184. About 5.8% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Population by decade

Government

Cass County is governed by a board of commissioners elected to four-year terms. Other elected officials include the sheriff and state's attorney. Appointed officials include administrator, extension agent, director of tax equalization, finance auditor, highway engineer, human services officer, information technology coordinator, recorder, veterans service officer, and weed control officer.

District Commissioner In office since Current term expires in
1stChad Peterson (Chair)20122020
2ndRick Steen (vice chair)20142022
3rdKen Pawluk20192020
4thDuane Breitling20182022
5thMary Scherling20122020

The current Sheriff is Jesse F. Jahner. Jahner has served as Sheriff of Cass County since January 2, 2019.

The voters of Cass County have historically tended to vote Republican. As recently as the 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush carried Cass County with nearly 60 percent of the vote. However, in recent elections, the county has become more politically diverse and competitive, particularly in Fargo. Since 2008, no Republican presidential candidate has received over 50% of the vote in Cass County. In 2008, Democratic candidate Barack Obama won the majority of votes in Cass County, with a voting percentage very close to the percentage Obama received in the entire nation, while John McCain won the majority of votes in North Dakota. Mitt Romney's winning margin in 2012 over Barack Obama in Cass County was 49.9% to 47% while Donald Trump received 49.3% of votes in 2016 compared to 38.8% against Hillary Clinton and 11.9% for third party candidates. In 2018, Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp achieved a 14-point lead in Eastern North Dakota even though the state as a whole soundly elected Republican Kevin Cramer.

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 49.3% 39,816 38.8% 31,361 11.9% 9,644
2012 49.9% 36,855 47.0% 34,712 3.1% 2,288
2008 45.3% 32,566 52.4% 37,622 2.3% 1,646
2004 59.4% 39,619 39.0% 26,010 1.6% 1,082
2000 56.9% 33,536 36.4% 21,451 6.8% 4,008
1996 48.0% 24,238 43.0% 21,693 9.0% 4,540
1992 47.7% 25,312 34.0% 18,077 18.3% 9,727
1988 54.3% 26,699 45.0% 22,107 0.7% 331
1984 61.4% 29,221 37.9% 18,054 0.7% 354
1980 54.8% 23,886 31.1% 13,562 14.2% 6,172
1976 54.5% 22,583 43.2% 17,879 2.3% 949
1972 60.0% 21,770 38.8% 14,073 1.3% 463
1968 55.9% 15,240 39.7% 10,819 4.5% 1,212
1964 45.3% 12,972 54.7% 15,674 0.1% 23
1960 58.9% 17,498 41.1% 12,213
1956 63.3% 16,932 36.7% 9,821 0.1% 17
1952 66.2% 18,094 33.6% 9,193 0.2% 57
1948 52.3% 11,430 45.5% 9,937 2.2% 469
1944 50.4% 10,661 49.1% 10,390 0.6% 116
1940 51.1% 12,567 48.5% 11,911 0.4% 108
1936 35.2% 7,632 57.2% 12,400 7.6% 1,638
1932 43.8% 8,937 54.4% 11,094 1.8% 363
1928 66.2% 12,480 33.5% 6,315 0.3% 63
1924 65.9% 9,906 9.0% 1,352 25.2% 3,783
1920 77.0% 10,735 20.2% 2,817 2.8% 386
1916 46.7% 3,093 49.9% 3,303 3.5% 230
1912 26.2% 1,316 36.1% 1,814 37.6% 1,889[21]
1908 62.5% 3,681 34.0% 2,000 3.5% 206
1904 80.4% 3,788 12.9% 609 6.7% 314
1900 65.7% 3,485 30.8% 1,636 3.5% 185

Communities
Cass County Courthouse

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships
  • Addison
  • Amenia
  • Arthur
  • Ayr
  • Barnes
  • Bell
  • Berlin
  • Buffalo
  • Casselton
  • Clifton
  • Cornell
  • Davenport
  • Dows
  • Durbin
  • Eldred
  • Empire
  • Erie
  • Everest
  • Fargo
  • Gardner
  • Gill
  • Gunkel
  • Harmony
  • Harwood
  • Highland
  • Hill
  • Howes
  • Hunter
  • Kinyon
  • Lake
  • Leonard
  • Maple River
  • Mapleton
  • Noble
  • Normanna
  • Page
  • Pleasant
  • Pontiac
  • Raymond
  • Reed
  • Rich
  • Rochester
  • Rush River
  • Stanley
  • Tower
  • Walburg
  • Warren
  • Watson
  • Wheatland
  • Wiser

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  2. Based on 2019 Census estimates: 181,923 / 762,062 (ND pop.) = 21.20%
  3. "Top 100 Counties by Growth, 2017". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the US. Govt. Print. Off. p. 71.
  6. "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  7. "County History". North Dakota.gov. The State of North Dakota. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  8. Cass County ND Google Maps (accessed February 16, 2019)
  9. ""Find an Altitude/Cass County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 16, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  10. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  12. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  14. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  16. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  17. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  18. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  19. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  20. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  21. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,316 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 164 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 56 votes.

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