According to Countryaah, Benson County is located in the northeast corner of North Dakota, bordered by Canada to the north, Walsh County to the west, Nelson County to the south, and Ramsey County to the east. The county seat is Minnewaukan, and other major towns include Maddock and York. Benson County covers 1,039 square miles of land and water with a population of approximately 6,800 people.
The area was originally part of several Native American tribes including the Chippewa Cree Nation and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. The original settlers were mainly Scandinavian immigrants who established homesteads throughout the county during the late 1800s.
The landscape of Benson County is mostly flat with rolling hills in some areas. The Red River Valley lies to the west and provides fertile soil for agriculture production such as soybeans, corn, wheat, and sugar beets. Other industries in Benson County include manufacturing, energy production (oil & gas), tourism (hunting & fishing), retail trade, and health care services.
Benson County has many recreational activities available for residents and visitors alike such as fishing on Lake Ashtabula or hunting in one of several wildlife management areas found throughout the county. There are also numerous parks including Fort Totten State Historic Site which showcases Native American history; Sheyenne National Grasslands which provide recreational opportunities; Turtle River State Park which features camping sites; Cross Ranch State Park which offers boating activities on Lake Sakakawea; Icelandic State Park which celebrates Icelandic heritage; Fort Ransom State Park offering hiking trails; as well as numerous other smaller parks scattered throughout Benson County.
The county is served by two school districts: Minnewaukan Public Schools located in Minnewaukan and Four Winds Public School located in Fort Totten. There are also numerous higher education institutions located nearby including North Dakota State University in Fargo (60 miles away) and University of North Dakota in Grand Forks (90 miles away).
Overall, Benson County is an ideal location for those looking for a rural setting with plenty of outdoor recreation activities combined with easy access to larger cities nearby that offer a variety of cultural attractions.
Demographics of Benson County, North Dakota
Benson County, North Dakota is a rural county located in the northeast corner of the state. It has a population of 6,637 (as of 2019) and covers an area of 1,921 square miles. The county seat is Minnewaukan.
Demographically, Benson County is predominantly white with the majority (90%) being non-Hispanic. The remainder consists mostly of Native American tribes including Chippewa Cree Nation and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Other ethnicities include African American (2%), Asian (1%), and Hispanic or Latino (1%).
The median age in Benson County is 44 years old, slightly higher than the national average of 38 years old. The population is evenly split between males and females at 50% each. About 19% of the population is under 18 years old while 14% are over 65 years old.
The median household income in Benson County is $50,831 which is lower than the national average by about $14,000 annually. Approximately 17% of households are below the poverty line with an unemployment rate at 3%.
Benson County has seen some population growth in recent years due to retirement migration from other states as well as job growth in industries such as oil & gas production, manufacturing, retail trade, tourism (hunting & fishing), and health care services. This influx has caused some shifts in demographics but Overall, Benson County remains a predominantly white rural area with a median age slightly higher than the national average and a lower household income than most other states across America.
Places of Interest in Benson County, North Dakota
Benson County, North Dakota is a rural county located in the northeast corner of the state. It has a population of 6,637 (as of 2019) and covers an area of 1,921 square miles. The county seat is Minnewaukan.
Benson County offers a variety of attractions for visitors and locals alike. From outdoor recreation to historical sites and arts & culture, there’s something for everyone in Benson County.
Outdoor recreation is abundant in Benson County with over 1,000 acres of public land available for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Popular spots include the Turtle Mountain State Forest and the Sheyenne National Grassland.
For history buffs, there are several historical sites throughout the county including Fort Totten State Historic Site which is located on the former site of an Indian Agency established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1867. Other sites include Whitestone Hill Battlefield State Historic Site which commemorates an 1863 battle between Dakota Sioux Indians and U.S.-Dakota forces as well as several other monuments dedicated to local pioneers and military heroes.
For those looking to explore local arts & culture Benson County offers several museums including Chahinkapa Zoo which houses over 200 species of animals from around the world as well as art galleries featuring works from local artists such as painter James Francis Brown whose work captures scenes from Benson County’s rural landscape. There are also regular events such as art shows, farmers markets and music festivals throughout the year that highlight Benson County’s unique culture.
Notable People of Benson County, North Dakota
Benson County, North Dakota has a long and storied history, and there are plenty of notable people who have come from the area. From pioneers to politicians to artists, Benson County has produced some of the most influential and well-known names in the region.
Perhaps one of the most famous people from Benson County is author Louis L’Amour. Born in Jamestown, North Dakota in 1908, L’Amour was a prolific writer who wrote more than 100 novels and short stories about the American West. His works often featured themes of courage and heroism which resonated with readers around the world.
Another notable person from Benson County is former United States Senator Quentin Burdick. Burdick was born in New Rockford, North Dakota and served as a U.S. Senator from 1960 until his death in 1992. During his time in office, he worked on various pieces of legislation ranging from environmental protection to Native American rights.
Benson County is also home to several prominent artists including painter James Francis Brown whose works capture scenes from Benson County’s rural landscape as well as sculptor Richard Kletting whose sculptures can be found throughout North Dakota including at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan.
Finally, there are several professional athletes who hail from Benson County including hockey player Blake Wheeler who currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets and Olympic gold medalist speed skater Casey FitzRandolph who won gold at both the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin Italy.