List of Counties in North Dakota
North Dakota has 53 counties. The most populous counties are Cass County (Fargo), Burleigh County (Bismarck), Grand Forks County, Ward County (Minot), Williams County, Stark County, Morton County, Rolette County, Richland County, and McKenzie County. Cass County, where Fargo is located, is the largest by population and serves as an economic center for the state. Burleigh County, home to the state capital Bismarck, is also highly populated.
List of All Counties in North Dakota
- Adams County, North Dakota
- Barnes County, North Dakota
- Benson County, North Dakota
- Billings County, North Dakota
- Bottineau County, North Dakota
- Bowman County, North Dakota
- Burke County, North Dakota
- Burleigh County, North Dakota
- Cass County, North Dakota
- Cavalier County, North Dakota
- Dickey County, North Dakota
- Divide County, North Dakota
- Dunn County, North Dakota
- Eddy County, North Dakota
- Emmons County, North Dakota
- Foster County, North Dakota
- Golden Valley County, North Dakota
- Grand Forks County, North Dakota
- Grant County, North Dakota
- Griggs County, North Dakota
- Hettinger County, North Dakota
- Kidder County, North Dakota
- LaMoure County, North Dakota
- Logan County, North Dakota
- McHenry County, North Dakota
- McIntosh County, North Dakota
- McKenzie County, North Dakota
- McLean County, North Dakota
- Mercer County, North Dakota
- Morton County, North Dakota
- Mountrail County, North Dakota
- Nelson County, North Dakota
- Oliver County, North Dakota
- Pembina County, North Dakota
- Pierce County, North Dakota
- Ramsey County, North Dakota
- Ransom County, North Dakota
- Renville County, North Dakota
- Richland County, North Dakota
- Rolette County, North Dakota
- Sargent County, North Dakota
- Sheridan County, North Dakota
- Sioux County, North Dakota
- Slope County, North Dakota
- Stark County, North Dakota
- Steele County, North Dakota
- Stutsman County, North Dakota
- Towner County, North Dakota
- Traill County, North Dakota
- Walsh County, North Dakota
- Ward County, North Dakota
- Wells County, North Dakota
- Williams County, North Dakota
Largest Counties in North Dakota
1. McKenzie County
Overview
McKenzie County is the largest county in North Dakota, covering 2,861 square miles. Located in the northwestern part of the state, it is bordered by Montana to the west, Williams County to the north, and Dunn County to the east. Established in 1905 and named after early settler Alexander McKenzie, the county is known for its rugged Badlands terrain and its role as a hub for the Bakken oil fields. McKenzie County has experienced significant growth due to the oil boom, with energy production driving the local economy. The county seat, Watford City, has seen rapid development and expansion in recent years.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 16,000
- County Seat: Watford City
- Major Airports: Sloulin Field International Airport (in nearby Williston)
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 85, North Dakota Highway 23, North Dakota Highway 73
2. Williams County
Overview
Williams County is located in northwestern North Dakota and spans 2,148 square miles. It is bordered by Montana to the west, Divide County to the north, and McKenzie County to the south. Established in 1891, the county is named after Erastus Appelman Williams, a political figure in the Dakota Territory. Like McKenzie County, Williams County has been significantly impacted by the Bakken oil boom, making Williston, the county seat, a key center for energy production. Historically, the region was home to Native American tribes and early settlers involved in agriculture. Today, the economy revolves around oil, agriculture, and transportation, with Williston serving as a growing regional hub.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 40,000
- County Seat: Williston
- Major Airports: Williston Basin International Airport
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 2, U.S. Highway 85, North Dakota Highway 1804
3. Morton County
Overview
Morton County is located in the south-central part of North Dakota, covering 1,945 square miles. It is bordered by Burleigh County to the north, Emmons County to the southeast, and Stark County to the west. Established in 1878, the county was named after Oliver P. Morton, a former governor of Indiana. The county seat, Mandan, lies just across the Missouri River from Bismarck, the state capital. Morton County’s economy is based on agriculture, with ranching and crop farming playing key roles, along with energy production and manufacturing. The county is also known for its historical significance, including sites related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Northern Plains Indian culture.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 33,000
- County Seat: Mandan
- Major Airports: Bismarck Municipal Airport (nearby)
- Major Highways: Interstate 94, U.S. Highway 83, North Dakota Highway 1806
4. Stark County
Overview
Stark County, located in southwestern North Dakota, spans 1,340 square miles. It is bordered by Billings County to the west, Morton County to the east, and Hettinger County to the south. Established in 1879, the county was named after George Stark, a railroad executive. The county seat, Dickinson, serves as a regional economic and cultural center. Historically, Stark County was developed as a farming and ranching area, but in recent years, oil and gas production has become a significant contributor to the local economy. The county is also known for its access to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the scenic Badlands.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 32,000
- County Seat: Dickinson
- Major Airports: Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport
- Major Highways: Interstate 94, U.S. Highway 85, U.S. Highway 22
5. Burleigh County
Overview
Burleigh County is located in central North Dakota, covering 1,668 square miles. It is bordered by McLean County to the north, Morton County to the south, and Kidder County to the east. Established in 1873, Burleigh County was named after Walter A. Burleigh, a Dakota Territory delegate to the U.S. Congress. The county seat, Bismarck, is also the capital of North Dakota and serves as the political and economic hub of the state. Burleigh County’s economy is centered around government services, healthcare, education, and retail. The county’s location along the Missouri River has historically made it a strategic area for transportation and trade.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 98,000
- County Seat: Bismarck
- Major Airports: Bismarck Municipal Airport
- Major Highways: Interstate 94, U.S. Highway 83, North Dakota Highway 1804
6. McLean County
Overview
McLean County is located in central North Dakota and covers 2,110 square miles. It is bordered by Ward County to the north, Sheridan County to the east, and Burleigh County to the south. Established in 1883, the county was named after John A. McLean, an early territorial settler and trader. The county seat, Washburn, sits on the banks of the Missouri River and is home to historic sites related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. McLean County is also known for Lake Sakakawea, a major recreational and fishing destination created by the Garrison Dam. The county’s economy is driven by agriculture, energy production, and tourism.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 9,500
- County Seat: Washburn
- Major Airports: Minot International Airport (nearby)
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 83, North Dakota Highway 37, North Dakota Highway 200
7. Ward County
Overview
Ward County is located in north-central North Dakota, covering 2,056 square miles. It is bordered by McHenry County to the east, Mountrail County to the west, and Renville County to the north. Established in 1885, the county was named after Mark Ward, a member of the Dakota Territory legislature. The county seat, Minot, is a key economic and transportation hub in the region, known as the “Magic City” due to its rapid growth during the early 20th century. The Minot Air Force Base, located just north of the city, plays a significant role in the county’s economy. Agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production are also vital industries in the area.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 69,000
- County Seat: Minot
- Major Airports: Minot International Airport
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 2, U.S. Highway 52, U.S. Highway 83
8. Mountrail County
Overview
Mountrail County is located in northwestern North Dakota, covering 1,942 square miles. It is bordered by Ward County to the east, McKenzie County to the west, and Williams County to the north. Established in 1873, the county was named after Joseph Mountrail, an early settler and trader. The county seat, Stanley, serves as the administrative and commercial center of the area. Mountrail County has become one of the major contributors to North Dakota’s oil boom, with significant oil and gas production in the Bakken formation. The county’s economy is also supported by agriculture, particularly wheat and canola farming.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 10,500
- County Seat: Stanley
- Major Airports: Sloulin Field International Airport (in nearby Williston)
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 2, North Dakota Highway 8, North Dakota Highway 1804
9. Dunn County
Overview
Dunn County is located in western North Dakota and spans 2,011 square miles. It is bordered by McKenzie County to the west, Stark County to the south, and Mountrail County to the north. Established in 1908, the county was named after John Piatt Dunn, a pioneering figure in North Dakota. The county seat, Manning, is a small, rural town in a largely agricultural and ranching community. Oil production has become an increasingly important industry in recent years due to Dunn County’s location in the Bakken shale region. The county is known for its wide-open prairies, rolling hills, and ranching heritage.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 4,500
- County Seat: Manning
- Major Airports: Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (nearby)
- Major Highways: North Dakota Highway 22, North Dakota Highway 200
10. Bottineau County
Overview
Bottineau County is located in north-central North Dakota, covering 1,669 square miles. It is bordered by Canada to the north, Rolette County to the east, and McHenry County to the south. The county was established in 1884 and named after Pierre Bottineau, a Métis frontiersman and trader. The county seat, Bottineau, is known for its proximity to the Turtle Mountains and the International Peace Garden, which spans the U.S.-Canada border. Agriculture, particularly wheat and barley farming, plays a central role in the county’s economy. Bottineau County is also a hub for outdoor recreation, with lakes, forests, and winter sports drawing visitors year-round.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 6,500
- County Seat: Bottineau
- Major Airports: Minot International Airport (nearby)
- Major Highways: U.S. Highway 83, North Dakota Highway 5, North Dakota Highway 14