Renville County, North Dakota

Renville County
County
The Renville County Courthouse in Mohall. Photographed in 1940.
The Renville County Courthouse in Mohall. Photographed in 1940.
Map of North Dakota highlighting Renville County
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°42′46″N 101°39′29″W / 48.712781°N 101.658152°W / 48.712781; -101.658152
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedJanuary 4, 1873 (created)
July 20, 1910 (organized)
Named afterJoseph Renville
SeatMohall
Largest cityMohall
Area
 • Total
892.942 sq mi (2,312.71 km2)
 • Land877.244 sq mi (2,272.05 km2)
 • Water5.698 sq mi (14.76 km2)  1.76%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
2,282
 • Estimate 
(2024)
2,376 Increase
 • Density2.709/sq mi (1.046/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code701
Congressional districtAt-large
Websiterenvillecountynd.org

Renville County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,282,[1] and was estimated to be 2,376 in 2024.[2] The county seat and the largest city is Mohall.[3]

Renville County is part of the Minot, ND Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is located south of the Canada–United States border with Saskatchewan.

History

The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873. It was named for Joseph Renville, an influential fur trader, interpreter, translator, and important figure in dealings between white men and the Sioux. The county was not organized at that time, nor was it attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. The proposed county boundaries were altered in 1883, in 1885, and 1887, and on November 8, 1892, the county was dissolved and absorbed into Bottineau and Ward counties due to a lack of settlement.

The general election held November 3, 1908 included a question asking whether a portion of Ward County should be partitioned off and named Renville County (covering a different area than the original county). This question reportedly failed to pass, but it was promptly contested in court, resulting in a ruling by the state Supreme Court ruled on June 3, 1910, that the split should be carried out.[4] The state governor proclaimed the result in a July 12 proclamation, and the county government was organized on July 20 of that year,[5] with Mohall as the county seat.[6]

Outline map of Renville County, North Dakota, 1914

Geography

Renville County lies on the north line of North Dakota; its north boundary line abuts the south boundary line of Canada. The Souris River flows southeasterly through the county on its way to Hudson Bay. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, largely devoted to agriculture.[7] The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is its SW corner, at 2,005 ft (611 m) ASL.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 892.942 square miles (2,312.71 km2), of which 877.244 square miles (2,272.05 km2) is land and 5.698 square miles (14.76 km2) (1.76%) is water.[9] It is the 45th largest county in North Dakota by total area.[10]

Major highways

Adjacent counties and rural municipalities

Protected areas

Source:[7]

Lakes

  • Lake Darling (part)[7]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19107,840—
19207,776−0.8%
19307,263−6.6%
19405,533−23.8%
19505,405−2.3%
19604,698−13.1%
19703,828−18.5%
19803,608−5.7%
19903,160−12.4%
20002,610−17.4%
20102,470−5.4%
20202,282−7.6%
2024 (est.)2,376[11]4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14]
1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[2]

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median home value in Renville County was $173,131.[16]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 922 estimated households in Renville County with an average of 2.42 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $76,311. Approximately 7.1% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Renville County has an estimated 65.3% employment rate, with 22.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 92.0% holding a high school diploma.[2]

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (97.7%), Spanish (0.0%), Indo-European (2.0%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.3%), and Other (0.0%).

The median age in the county was 42.5 years.

Renville County, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[17] Pop. 1990[18] Pop. 2000[19] Pop. 2010[20] Pop. 2020[21]
White alone (NH) 3,578
(99.17%)		 3,106
(98.29%)		 2,535
(97.13%)		 2,401
(97.21%)		 2,146
(94.04%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 0
(0.00%)		 14
(0.44%)		 6
(0.23%)		 2
(0.08%)		 5
(0.22%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 7
(0.19%)		 23
(0.73%)		 16
(0.61%)		 9
(0.36%)		 14
(0.61%)
Asian alone (NH) 9
(0.25%)		 11
(0.35%)		 12
(0.46%)		 5
(0.20%)		 0
(0.00%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 0
(0.00%)		 0
(0.00%)		 0
(0.00%)
Other race alone (NH) 3
(0.08%)		 0
(0.00%)		 3
(0.11%)		 0
(0.00%)		 2
(0.09%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 19
(0.73%)		 29
(1.17%)		 78
(3.42%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11
(0.30%)		 6
(0.19%)		 19
(0.73%)		 24
(0.97%)		 37
(1.62%)
Total 3,608
(100.00%)		 3,160
(100.00%)		 2,610
(100.00%)		 2,470
(100.00%)		 2,282
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 2,376 people and 922 households residing in the county. There were 1,312 housing units at an average density of 1.50 per square mile (0.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% White (95.4% NH White), 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.9% of the population.[22]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,282 people, 982 households, and 638 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 2.60 inhabitants per square mile (1.0/km2). There were 1,282 housing units at an average density of 1.46 per square mile (0.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.70% White, 0.22% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from some other races and 4.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.62% of the population.[24]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,470 people, 1,061 households, and 685 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.82 inhabitants per square mile (1.1/km2). There were 1,386 housing units at an average density of 1.58 per square mile (0.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.94% White, 0.08% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from some other races and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.97% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 39.5% were German, 39.1% were Norwegian, 11.6% were Irish, 9.7% were English, 9.5% were Swedish, and 2.3% were American.

There were 1,061 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.4% were non-families, and 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 45.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,583 and the median income for a family was $63,068. Males had a median income of $39,950 versus $25,469 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,856. About 3.8% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Source:[7]

Townships

  • Brandon
  • Callahan
  • Clay
  • Colquhoun
  • Eden Valley
  • Ensign
  • Fairbanks
  • Grassland
  • Grover
  • Hamerly
  • Hamlet
  • Hurley
  • Ivanhoe
  • Lockwood
  • McKinney
  • Muskego
  • Plain
  • Prescott
  • Prosperity
  • Rockford
  • Roosevelt
  • Stafford
  • Van Buren
  • White Ash

Politics

Renville County voters have voted Republican in every national election since 1976 (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Renville County, North Dakota[27][28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 993 82.20% 179 14.82% 36 2.98%
2020 1,065 80.74% 220 16.68% 34 2.58%
2016 993 76.80% 201 15.55% 99 7.66%
2012 851 66.59% 398 31.14% 29 2.27%
2008 799 59.36% 505 37.52% 42 3.12%
2004 953 64.87% 497 33.83% 19 1.29%
2000 820 61.56% 443 33.26% 69 5.18%
1996 576 42.54% 562 41.51% 216 15.95%
1992 655 39.22% 580 34.73% 435 26.05%
1988 893 51.03% 837 47.83% 20 1.14%
1984 1,163 65.56% 592 33.37% 19 1.07%
1980 1,154 62.65% 570 30.94% 118 6.41%
1976 812 43.99% 1,008 54.60% 26 1.41%
1972 1,121 61.09% 702 38.26% 12 0.65%
1968 851 46.86% 880 48.46% 85 4.68%
1964 640 32.05% 1,356 67.90% 1 0.05%
1960 1,012 45.38% 1,217 54.57% 1 0.04%
1956 1,035 50.22% 1,025 49.73% 1 0.05%
1952 1,571 66.57% 767 32.50% 22 0.93%
1948 812 46.61% 838 48.11% 92 5.28%
1944 1,046 48.34% 1,095 50.60% 23 1.06%
1940 1,202 47.03% 1,298 50.78% 56 2.19%
1936 611 21.36% 1,766 61.73% 484 16.92%
1932 689 25.23% 1,969 72.10% 73 2.67%
1928 1,473 55.09% 1,174 43.90% 27 1.01%
1924 649 32.18% 120 5.95% 1,248 61.87%
1920 1,987 73.65% 581 21.53% 130 4.82%
1916 532 31.54% 1,012 59.99% 143 8.48%
1912 224 17.58% 420 32.97% 630 49.45%

Education

School districts include:[29]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Renville County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  4. ^ Fitzmaurice v. Willis, 127 N.W. 95 (N.D. 1910).
  5. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  6. ^ "County History". www.nd.gov. State of North Dakota. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d "Renville County, North Dakota". Google Maps. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  8. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Renville County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 25, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  9. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Renville County, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  14. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  17. ^ "Renville County, North Dakota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  18. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics North Dakota" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 20. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  19. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Renville County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Renville County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  21. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Renville County, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  22. ^ "County Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  23. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  24. ^ "How many people live in Renville County, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  25. ^ Greene, shown on a 1977 USGS map (at present day 46th Ave NW and 86th Street NW), was a station stop on the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. Its former streets are still shown on Google Earth and Yahoo! Maps
  26. ^ "Greene, N. Dak". www.thomasgloger.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  28. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 341 votes, while Socialist Eugene Debs received 224 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 17 votes.
  29. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Renville County, ND (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 15, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2025. - Text list
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