100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
North Dakota (ND) lies in the American Midwest on the border with Canada. Agriculture, oil extraction, and natural gas play a major role in the state’s economy, and North Dakota’s unemployment rate ranks among the lowest in the United States. The capital of North Dakota is Bismarck, though the largest city is Fargo, which serves as the state’s cultural hub. Another popular tourist attraction is Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
-
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name North Dakota Abbreviation ND Capital Bismarck Largest city Fargo (Population: 133 188) Current time 12:06 Time zone CST (UTC-6) is in effect in most of the state, MST (UTC-7) is in effect in a smaller area to the west. The state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) and MDT (UTC-6) Population 779,079 (#47 most populous US state) Area 183,125 km² (#19 largest US state) Admitted to the Union November 2, 1889 (#39 state to join) ⭐ Capital of North Dakota
The capital of the state of North Dakota is Bismarck, founded on the west bank of the Missouri River in 1872. For the first two years it was called Edwinton, then it was renamed in honor of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. In 1883 Bismarck first became the capital of Dakota Territory, and after North Dakota joined the Union in 1889 it became the capital of the entire state.
🏙️ Largest City in North Dakota
The largest city in North Dakota is Fargo, which had 133,188 residents in 2023. In second place is the capital, Bismarck, with 75,092 residents, and the third largest city is Grand Forks with a population of 58,921.
🕒 Time in North Dakota
The current time in most of North Dakota is 12:06. Most of the state follows the Central Standard Time zone (CST, UTC-6), while only a small area in the west uses Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7). Between March and November, the entire state observes daylight saving time.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of North Dakota
According to 2023 data, only 779,079 people lived in North Dakota, which placed it 47th among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of North Dakota
The total area of North Dakota is 183,125 km², of which 178,694 km² is land and 4,428 km² is water. North Dakota is the 19th largest U.S. state.
-
Fun Facts About North Dakota
🧩 Which States Border North Dakota
North Dakota borders three U.S. states. To the west is Montana, to the east Minnesota, and to the south South Dakota. In addition, it borders the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north.
📅 Date of North Dakota Statehood
North Dakota was admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, after being carved out of Dakota Territory. North Dakota is usually listed as the 39th state, although South Dakota was admitted on the same day. President Benjamin Harrison intentionally signed both proclamations without regard to order.
📛 North Dakota State Nickname
North Dakota has several unofficial nicknames. “The Peace Garden State” refers to the International Peace Garden, founded in 1932 on the border with the Canadian province of Manitoba. The goal was to express friendship between the two nations through flower beds, trees, and ponds.
The second nickname, “The Roughrider State,” is tied to President Theodore Roosevelt, who owned ranches in North Dakota and had strong personal and political ties here. The Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry regiment that fought in the Spanish–American War in 1898, and Roosevelt served with them.
A third nickname, “The Flickertail State,” points to the abundance of ground squirrels in North Dakota.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in North Dakota
The highest point in North Dakota is White Butte at 1,068 m, located in the southwest part of the state. A butte is a type of isolated hill formed by erosion.
🏞️ Rivers in North Dakota
The longest river in North Dakota is the Missouri River, with a total length across all states of 3,767 km. It is followed by the James River (1,140 km), Yellowstone River (1,114 km), Sheyenne River (951 km), and Little Missouri River (900 km).
🎓 Universities in North Dakota
The largest university is North Dakota State University in Fargo, opened in 1890 and now attended by more than 14,000 students. In second place is the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks with 14,000 students, which began operating in 1883.
Another major university in North Dakota is Minot State University. It enrolls just under 4,000 students and has had its campus in the city of Minot since 1913.
✉️ ZIP Codes in North Dakota
All addresses in North Dakota use ZIP codes in the 580xx–588xx range, and you can look them up on the USPS website. Detailed information about how the system works and an easy-to-read map can be found in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
-
Weather in North Dakota
The best time to visit North Dakota is between June and August, when the weather is warm and sunny with minimal rainfall. Days are long in summer, so you can make the most of time outdoors.
Spring in North Dakota brings a gradual warmup, though you should expect alternating warm and cool days. In the largest city, Bismarck, March temperatures range from -7 °C to 2 °C, and by May it is a much more pleasant 7 °C to 21 °C. Snow can linger in the northern parts of the state into April, then turn the ground slushy. As temperatures rise, rainy days become more frequent. Especially in April and May, heavy rain and strong thunderstorms are possible, which can cause flooding.
Summer in North Dakota is dry and hot, with temperatures around 20 °C to 28 °C. The western part of the state tends to run a few degrees warmer. Thunderstorms are fairly common in June and July and may be accompanied by hail or strong winds. Tornadoes can occasionally occur in North Dakota, yet it is still the best time of year for outdoor activities of all kinds.
Fall in North Dakota brings a steady cool down from September’s 8 °C to 12 °C to November’s -7 °C to 3 °C. Rainfall is usually lower than in spring and summer, and by late October the first snow may reach the northern part of the state.
Winter in North Dakota is exceptionally cold and severe. From December through February, temperatures range from about -18 °C to -6 °C, and in some counties they can drop even lower. Snowfall is heavy, and snow cover persists across the landscape all winter, with more snow in the east. When traveling, be prepared for extreme blizzards that can close some roads and disrupt transportation.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in North Dakota
-
What to See in North Dakota
1️⃣ Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is named after the U.S. president who championed the protection of land in western North Dakota. The park is known for its badlands with parched soils and the Little Missouri River.
Visitors can take in the views from several hiking trails or scenic drives. With a bit of luck they will also spot bison, wild horses, and deer, animals typical of the national park.
2️⃣ Maah Daah Hey Trail
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 231.75 km hiking and biking route along the western edge of the state that winds through badlands, deep canyons, cliffs, and open plains. The trail is famous for its striking variety of landscapes and passes through several national recreation areas. You can complete it on foot, on horseback, or on mountain bike.
3️⃣ North Dakota Heritage Center
The Heritage Center in Bismarck is one of the largest museums in the state and documents North Dakota’s history in detail from prehistoric times to the present. Exhibits range from dinosaur fossils and Native American creations to artifacts related to the settlement period. Some galleries are interactive, so it is a popular place for families with children.
4️⃣ Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
The Fort Union trading post was the most important on the upper Missouri River in the 19th century. Settlers, Native Americans, and trappers did business there. Today the post is a national historic site where visitors can experience the authentic atmosphere of a period trading hub. In the reconstructed building you can join guided tours or demonstrations of traditional crafts.
5️⃣ National Buffalo Museum
The National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown is dedicated to the history and significance of the animals that symbolize the American plains. Visitors can see herds nearby and learn more in the museum about the ecology, culture, and importance of bison to Indigenous nations.
This museum, which some might find unusual, is a good stop for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of life on the American prairies.
6️⃣ Bonanzaville USA
Bonanzaville is a large complex on the west side of Fargo that includes more than 40 historic buildings and museums that bring life on the American Northwest frontier to life. Visitors can tour period houses, churches, a school, shops, and a firehouse. Throughout the year Bonanzaville hosts festivals, historical reenactments, and other cultural events that draw people from across the region.
7️⃣ Enchanted Highway
The Enchanted Highway is a quirky 51.5 km stretch of road in the southwest of the state lined with giant metal sculptures. The pieces were created by local artist Gary Greff, who began installing them along the highway in 1989. Attentive drivers can spot grasshoppers, deer, or flying fish. Each sculpture has a different theme and is crafted down to the smallest detail.
8️⃣ Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
This protected site preserves the remains of three villages once inhabited by the Hidatsa and Mandan tribes. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was an important center of trade and culture. Visitors can explore the remains of earth lodges, walk riverside trails along the Knife, or deepen their knowledge of tribal life at the visitor center.
9️⃣ Fargo Air Museum
The aviation museum in Fargo displays a long line of historic and modern aircraft. Located at the international airport, it presents the history of flight through simulators, educational programs, and interactive exhibits. Highlights include rare aircraft such as a P-51D Mustang from the 1940s, a 1939 Douglas DC-3, and modern drones.
🔟 Mandan Rodeo Days
Mandan Rodeo Days is one of the biggest cowboy events in North Dakota, held each year around Independence Day. The event features competitions in traditional rodeo disciplines such as bull riding, roping, and saddle bronc riding, attracting professional cowboys as well as spectators from across the region.
Mandan Rodeo Days also includes parades, fireworks, and live music.
-
Largest Cities in North Dakota
The table lists the ten largest cities in the state of North Dakota in 2023. The source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose main task is to conduct the census.
City County Population 1 Fargo Cass 133,188 Map of Fargo 2 Bismarck Burleigh 75,092 Map of Bismarck 3 Grand Forks Grand Forks 58,921 Map of Grand Forks 4 Minot Ward 47,373 Map of Minot 5 West Fargo Cass 40,400 Map of West Fargo 6 Williston Williams 27,706 Map of Williston 7 Dickinson Stark 25,130 Map of Dickinson 8 Mandan Morton 24,586 Map of Mandan 9 Jamestown Stutsman 15,691 Map of Jamestown 10 Wahpeton Richland 8,000 Map of Wahpeton -
Sports Teams in North Dakota
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team from North Dakota.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
North Dakota has no team in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
No team from North Dakota plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from North Dakota.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team in North Dakota that plays in MLS.
-
North Dakota State Symbols
North Dakota has several official and unofficial symbols, some of which are listed below.
Flag of North Dakota
The state flag of North Dakota was adopted on March 11, 1911, and its design was inspired by the banner carried by volunteer infantry in the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War.
The flag has an unusual 33:26 aspect ratio and a dark blue field. The central motif is an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and seven arrows in the other. In its beak is a red scroll with the U.S. motto “E pluribus unum,” and above it are 13 gold stars representing the 13 original colonies. A red scroll with the state’s name in white appears below.
Seal of North Dakota
The current form of the great seal has been used since 1987, and its design is based on the description of the Dakota Territory seal from 1862–1863. In the center is a tree in an open field, its trunk encircled by three sheaves of wheat. Near the tree are a plow with an anvil, a bow with three arrows, and a Native American on horseback pursuing a bison. The seal includes the state motto and the year 1889, which marks North Dakota’s admission to the Union.
State Anthem
The official state song is the North Dakota Hymn from 1926, created to the melody of the Austrian Imperial Anthem. The lyrics were written by James Foley, and the music was arranged by Clarence Simeon Putnam. It became North Dakota’s state song on March 15, 1947.
State Fish
North Dakota’s fish symbol since 1969 has been the northern pike (Esox lucius), which is popular among local anglers for its size and strength. The northern pike is a predatory fish commonly found in the state’s rivers and lakes.
State Tree
The state tree since 1947 has been the American elm (Ulmus americana). At the time of its designation it was common throughout North Dakota. In the mid-20th century, most stands were struck by Dutch elm disease, which killed much of the population. The American elm is now considered at risk, yet it remains a symbol of North Dakota.
State Bird
The bird symbol is the western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), which can be seen on North Dakota’s open plains. It is known for its bright yellow breast with a black V and its beautiful song.
State Insect
In 2011 the official state insect was designated as the seven-spotted ladybug (Hippodamia convergens). This ladybug helps farmers by feeding on aphids and other harmful pests.
State Flower
On March 7, 1907, the Arkansas rose (Rosa arkansana) became the state flower. It commonly grows on dry prairies and symbolizes the natural beauty of North Dakota. The fruit of roses, rose hips, are rich in vitamin C.
State Grass
Since 1977, North Dakota’s symbols have also included Pascopyrum smithii, a grass typical of prairie regions. This particular species stands out for its high drought tolerance and ability to survive the harsh climate of the Great Plains.
State Beverage
In 1983 milk became the official state beverage. The dairy industry has a long tradition in North Dakota, and milk, cheese, and other products are shipped to all corners of the United States.
Contribute with Your Question or Personal Experience