Berthold, North Dakota Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 25, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Berthold, North Dakota is located in the heart of the North Central Plains. It is situated near the Missouri River and is about two hours drive from the state capital, Bismarck. The city has a population of roughly 1,500 people and is well known for its friendly small-town atmosphere.

The climate in Berthold is typical of other cities in this region of the United States; hot summers and cold winters. Summers are usually sunny with temperatures reaching into the mid-90s while winters are cold with average temperatures around 0°F and heavy snowfall.

Berthold’s history dates back to 1887 when it was founded as an agricultural community. Throughout its history, Berthold has been a major producer of wheat, corn, oats, barley, and hay. Today, Berthold’s economy is largely based on agriculture but also includes small businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, and service providers.

Politically speaking, Berthold leans to the conservative side with most voters supporting Republican candidates at the local level. The city has a mayor-council form of government with a seven-member council elected by voters every two years to serve on behalf of their constituents.

Berthold is home to two public schools – Berthold Elementary School (K-8) and Berthold High School (9-12). Both schools offer a variety of academic programs as well extra-curricular activities such as sports teams and clubs that allow students to explore their interests outside the classroom.

The city also boasts several landmarks including Fort Berthold State Historical Site which was established in 1891 by General Alfred Sully during his campaign against Native Americans in North Dakota; Old Settlers Park which offers picnic areas and walking paths; and Elkhorn Valley Museum which highlights local history through interactive exhibits.

Population: 466. Estimated population in July 2024: 442 (-5.2% change)
Males: 232 (49.8%), Females: 234 (50.2%)

Ward County

Zip code: 58718

Demographics

Median resident age: 33.5 years
Median household income: $35,000
Median house value: $60,800

Population by Race

Races in Berthold:

White Non-Hispanic (97.6%)
Hispanic (1.3%)
Two or more races (1.1%)
American Indian (0.6%)

Ancestries: Norwegian (56.0%), German (52.6%), Irish (12.4%), English (4.9%), Dutch (3.9%), French Canadian (3.9%).

Elevation: 2080 feet

Land area: 0.4 square miles

Population by Education

Berthold, North Dakota is a small town of about 900 people located in the northern part of the state. It is the county seat of Burke County and is situated along the banks of Lake Sakakawea. The population is mostly comprised of Caucasian Americans, but there are also small numbers of Native Americans and Hispanic Americans living in Berthold. The median age for residents is 42 years old, with slightly more women than men living in town. Over half of Berthold’s population lives below the poverty line, and unemployment rates are high due to a lack of employment opportunities in the area. Education levels are low, with only around 10% having a college degree or higher.

The local economy relies heavily on farming and ranching, which provide a significant portion of jobs for locals. There are also some small businesses scattered about including restaurants, convenience stores, and a few other shops. Residents have access to basic health care through the local clinic as well as several pharmacies and medical facilities nearby in Minot or Williston. There are several churches serving different denominations throughout Berthold as well as an elementary school for students up to 5th grade. Overall, Berthold remains a tight-knit community despite its small size and limited resources; many families have been living here for generations and continue to enjoy life in this rural North Dakota town.

For population 25 years and over in Berthold

High school or higher: 85.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.5%
Unemployed: 5.5%
Mean travel time to work: 23.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Berthold city

Never married: 18.3%
Now married: 69.7%
Separated: 0.0%
Widowed: 6.3%
Divorced: 5.7%

0.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +58 (+14.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Berthold:

TRINITY ST JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL (about 33 miles; MINOT, ND)
KENMARE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL – CAH (about 37 miles; KENMARE, ND)
MOUNTRAIL COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER – CAH (about 48 miles; STANLEY, ND)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Berthold:

MINOT AFB (about 28 miles; MINOT, ND; Abbreviation: MIB)
MINOT INTL (about 33 miles; MINOT, ND; Abbreviation: MOT)
BISMARCK MUNI (about 128 miles; BISMARCK, ND; Abbreviation: BIS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Berthold:

TRULSON FIELD (about 26 miles; PLAZA, ND; Abbreviation: Y99)
KENMARE MUNI (about 32 miles; KENMARE, ND; Abbreviation: 7K5)
MOHALL MUNI (about 34 miles; MOHALL, ND; Abbreviation: HBC)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Berthold:

MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 31 miles; MINOT, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,662)
BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE (about 122 miles; BISMARCK, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,205)
UNIVERSITY OF MARY (about 127 miles; BISMARCK, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,203)
NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 298 miles; ABERDEEN, SD; Full-time enrollment: 2,356)
BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 302 miles; SPEARFISH, SD; Full-time enrollment: 3,190)
SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (about 309 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Full-time enrollment: 2,002)
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA-MAIN CAMPUS (about 324 miles; GRAND FORKS, ND; Full-time enrollment: 9,935)

Schools

Public high school in Berthold:

BERTHOLD HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 101; Location: 401 4TH AVE NE; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Berthold:

BERTHOLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 130; Location: 401 4TH AVE NE; Grades: KG – 06)