Moving to Bottineau, North Dakota
Bottineau, North Dakota is a small city located in the north-central region of the state. The population of Bottineau is 2,353 according to the 2019 US Census. It is situated on the banks of Lake Metigoshe and is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The climate in Bottineau is continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
The history of Bottineau began in 1883 when it was founded by French fur traders who named it after Pierre Bottineau, a prominent local figure. In 1889, it was incorporated as a city and has since grown to become an important part of North Dakota’s economy. Politically, Bottineau is part of Ward County and has been represented by Republicans since its founding.
The economy of Bottineau is largely based on agriculture, with wheat and barley as two major crops grown in the area. Other industries include manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare services, professional services, and mineral extraction. The schools in Bottineau are administered by the Bottineau Public School District and include one elementary school, one middle school, one high school, and two alternative learning centers.
Landmarks in Bottineau include its historic courthouse which was built in 1921 and still stands today as a testament to its rich history; Lake Metigoshe State Park which offers camping opportunities as well as swimming beaches; Fort Totten State Historic Site which includes a reconstructed fort from the 1800s; Turtle Mountain State Park which offers stunning views of Turtle Mountain; Cross Ranch State Park which provides access to the Missouri River; International Peace Garden located at the US-Canada border; Dakota Zoo located on the edge of town; Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge for birdwatching enthusiasts; Little Missouri National Grassland for hikers looking for some solitude; White Butte Recreation Area for fishing enthusiasts; Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site which features an original trading post from 1828; Chateau de Mores Historical Site where you can learn about Marquis de Mores’ pioneering cattle industry in North Dakota; Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center offering educational programs relating to Lewis & Clark’s journey through North Dakota; Theodore Roosevelt National Park with its rugged badlands terrain offering hiking trails and scenic drives through this beautiful area of North Dakota; Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park where visitors can learn about General Custer’s expeditionary force that camped there during their campaign against Sitting Bull’s Sioux Nation forces back in 1876.
Population: 2,336. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,157 (-7.7% change)
Males: 1,091 (46.7%), Females: 1,245 (53.3%)
Bottineau County
Zip code: 58318
Demographics
Median resident age: 43.4 years
Median household income: $29,022
Median house value: $48,000
Population by Race
Races in Bottineau:
- White Non-Hispanic (94.9%)
- American Indian (3.5%)
- Two or more races (1.1%)
- Hispanic (1.0%)
Ancestries: Norwegian (41.4%), German (35.5%), Irish (7.3%), English (7.0%), French (6.5%), Swedish (4.9%).
Elevation: 1635 feet
Land area: 1.0 square miles
Population by Education
Bottineau, North Dakota is a small city located in the northeast corner of the state. It has a population of around 2,000 people and is the county seat of Bottineau County. The cost of living in Bottineau is relatively low, with an average home costing around $85,000. This makes it an affordable place to live for those looking to escape the higher costs associated with larger cities. Renting a one-bedroom apartment typically costs between $500-$600 per month and utilities (such as electricity and water) are quite affordable as well. The local economy is largely based on agriculture, with some manufacturing and retail establishments scattered throughout town. The median household income in Bottineau is approximately $41,500 per year. Overall, Bottineau is a great option for those looking for an affordable place to live with plenty of outdoor activities nearby such as fishing, hunting and camping in the nearby Turtle Mountains State Park. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to explore throughout town which makes it a great spot to settle down if you’re looking for a small town atmosphere with all the amenities you need close by.
For population 25 years and over in Bottineau
- High school or higher: 79.6%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1%
- Unemployed: 5.7%
- Mean travel time to work: 11.6 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Bottineau city
- Never married: 30.4%
- Now married: 49.8%
- Separated: 0.7%
- Widowed: 14.6%
- Divorced: 4.5%
3.4% Foreign born (1.9% North America, 1.3% Europe).
Population change in the 1990s: -316 (-11.9%).
Hospitals
Hospital/medical center in Bottineau:
- ST ANDREWS HEALTH CENTER – CAH (316 OHMER STREET)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Bottineau:
- PHS INDIAN HOSPITAL (about 48 miles; BELCOURT, ND)
- HEART OF AMERICA MEDICAL CENTER (about 49 miles; RUGBY, ND)
- PRESENTATION MEDICAL CENTER – CAH (about 60 miles; ROLLA, ND)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Bottineau:
- MINOT AFB (about 70 miles; MINOT, ND; Abbreviation: MIB)
- MINOT INTL (about 70 miles; MINOT, ND; Abbreviation: MOT)
- DEVILS LAKE MUNI (about 118 miles; DEVILS LAKE, ND; Abbreviation: DVL)
Other public-use airports nearest to Bottineau:
- BOTTINEAU MUNI (about 2 miles; BOTTINEAU, ND; Abbreviation: D09)
- INTL PEACE GARDEN (about 31 miles; DUNSEITH, ND; Abbreviation: S28)
- TOWNER MUNI (about 33 miles; TOWNER, ND; Abbreviation: D61)
Colleges and Universities
College/University in Bottineau:
- MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY-BOTTINEAU CAMPUS (Full-time enrollment: 396; Location: 105 SIMRALL BLVD; Public; Website: WWW.MISU-B.NODAK.EDU)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Bottineau:
- MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY (about 72 miles; MINOT, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,662)
- BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE (about 139 miles; BISMARCK, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,205)
- UNIVERSITY OF MARY (about 143 miles; BISMARCK, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,203)
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA-MAIN CAMPUS (about 242 miles; GRAND FORKS, ND; Full-time enrollment: 9,935)
- NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 268 miles; ABERDEEN, SD; Full-time enrollment: 2,356)
- NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 274 miles; FARGO, ND; Full-time enrollment: 8,836)
- MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY-MOORHEAD (about 304 miles; MOORHEAD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 6,400)
Schools
Public high school in Bottineau:
- BOTTINEAU HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 427; Location: 301 BRANDER ST; Grades: 07 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Bottineau:
- BOTTINEAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 351; Location: 710 MAIN ST; Grades: PK – 06)
- PEACE GARDEN SP ED STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES (Location: 309 2ND ST E; Grades: 00 – 00)
Libraries
Library in Bottineau:
- BOTTINEAU COUNTY LIBRARY (Operating income: $61,327; Location: 314 WEST 5TH STREET; 22,867 books; 354 audio materials; 36 video materials; 44 serial subscriptions)