Most rural counties in North Dakota

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in North Dakota

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in North Dakota using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#53. Cass County

- Rural area: 97.0% (1,712 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.0% (53 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,765 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #337 nationwide

- Population density: 102.0 people / square mile (179,937 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #2,267 nationwide

#52. Burleigh County

- Rural area: 98.1% (1,602 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (31 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,633 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #371 nationwide

- Population density: 58.5 people / square mile (95,509 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #1,826 nationwide

#51. Grand Forks County

- Rural area: 98.4% (1,414 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (23 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,436 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #418 nationwide

- Population density: 48.9 people / square mile (70,243 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #1,669 nationwide

#50. Ward County

- Rural area: 98.7% (1,987 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (27 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,013 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #283 nationwide

- Population density: 34.3 people / square mile (68,962 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,326 nationwide

#49. Stark County

- Rural area: 99.4% (1,327 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,335 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #446 nationwide

- Population density: 23.3 people / square mile (31,164 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,017 nationwide

#48. Morton County

- Rural area: 99.5% (1,917 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,926 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #295 nationwide

- Population density: 16.2 people / square mile (31,118 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #775 nationwide

#47. Stutsman County

- Rural area: 99.6% (2,212 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,222 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #253 nationwide

- Population density: 9.4 people / square mile (20,879 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #553 nationwide

#46. Williams County

- Rural area: 99.7% (2,070 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,077 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #274 nationwide

- Population density: 17.4 people / square mile (36,044 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #810 nationwide

#45. Richland County

- Rural area: 99.7% (1,431 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,436 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #419 nationwide

- Population density: 11.3 people / square mile (16,245 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #613 nationwide

#44. Barnes County

- Rural area: 99.7% (1,487 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,492 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #403 nationwide

- Population density: 7.1 people / square mile (10,592 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #457 nationwide

#43. Ramsey County

- Rural area: 99.7% (1,184 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,187 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #515 nationwide

- Population density: 9.7 people / square mile (11,521 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #567 nationwide

#42. Pierce County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,017 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,019 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #653 nationwide

- Population density: 4.0 people / square mile (4,061 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #311 nationwide

#41. Walsh County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,280 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,282 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #469 nationwide

- Population density: 8.3 people / square mile (10,642 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #506 nationwide

#40. Mercer County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,042 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,043 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #629 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (8,359 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #495 nationwide

#39. Rolette County

- Rural area: 100.0% (903 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 903 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #840 nationwide

- Population density: 16.0 people / square mile (14,437 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #769 nationwide

#38. Traill County

- Rural area: 100.0% (862 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 862 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #960 nationwide

- Population density: 9.3 people / square mile (7,999 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #547 nationwide

#37. Pembina County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,119 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,119 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #561 nationwide

- Population density: 6.1 people / square mile (6,850 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #416 nationwide

#36. Ransom County

- Rural area: 100.0% (862 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 862 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #959 nationwide

- Population density: 6.1 people / square mile (5,258 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #413 nationwide

#35. Mountrail County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,825 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,825 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #321 nationwide

- Population density: 5.7 people / square mile (10,348 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #396 nationwide

#34. Foster County

- Rural area: 100.0% (635 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 635 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #1,505 nationwide

- Population density: 5.1 people / square mile (3,231 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #371 nationwide

#33. McKenzie County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,760 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,760 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #189 nationwide

- Population density: 5.0 people / square mile (13,836 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #369 nationwide

#32. Benson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,389 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,389 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #438 nationwide

- Population density: 4.9 people / square mile (6,860 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #365 nationwide

#31. Sargent County

- Rural area: 100.0% (859 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 859 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #968 nationwide

- Population density: 4.5 people / square mile (3,899 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #349 nationwide

#30. McLean County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,111 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,111 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #265 nationwide

- Population density: 4.5 people / square mile (9,531 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #347 nationwide

#29. Dickey County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,131 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,131 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #556 nationwide

- Population density: 4.3 people / square mile (4,857 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #337 nationwide

#28. Sioux County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,094 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,094 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #584 nationwide

- Population density: 4.0 people / square mile (4,339 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #308 nationwide

#27. Bottineau County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,668 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,668 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #362 nationwide

- Population density: 3.8 people / square mile (6,418 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #296 nationwide

#26. LaMoure County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,146 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,146 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #540 nationwide

- Population density: 3.7 people / square mile (4,225 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #286 nationwide

#25. Eddy County

- Rural area: 100.0% (630 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 630 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #1,523 nationwide

- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (2,262 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #278 nationwide

#24. Griggs County

- Rural area: 100.0% (709 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 709 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #1,298 nationwide

- Population density: 3.3 people / square mile (2,314 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #258 nationwide

#23. McHenry County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,874 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,874 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #304 nationwide

- Population density: 3.1 people / square mile (5,825 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #247 nationwide

#22. Wells County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,271 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,271 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #474 nationwide

- Population density: 3.1 people / square mile (3,889 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #241 nationwide

#21. Nelson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (982 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 982 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #702 nationwide

- Population density: 2.9 people / square mile (2,864 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #229 nationwide

#20. Renville County

- Rural area: 100.0% (877 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 877 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #917 nationwide

- Population density: 2.7 people / square mile (2,387 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #219 nationwide

#19. Oliver County

- Rural area: 100.0% (723 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 723 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,234 nationwide

- Population density: 2.7 people / square mile (1,962 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #218 nationwide

#18. Bowman County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,162 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,162 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #530 nationwide

- Population density: 2.7 people / square mile (3,091 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #212 nationwide

#17. McIntosh County

- Rural area: 100.0% (975 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 975 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #713 nationwide

- Population density: 2.6 people / square mile (2,535 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #206 nationwide

#16. Steele County

- Rural area: 100.0% (712 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 712 square miles
--- #50 largest county in state, #1,287 nationwide

- Population density: 2.6 people / square mile (1,817 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #200 nationwide

#15. Cavalier County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,489 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,489 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #405 nationwide

- Population density: 2.5 people / square mile (3,769 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #197 nationwide

#14. Adams County

- Rural area: 100.0% (988 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 988 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #697 nationwide

- Population density: 2.3 people / square mile (2,271 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #181 nationwide

#13. Hettinger County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,132 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,132 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #555 nationwide

- Population density: 2.2 people / square mile (2,510 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #175 nationwide

#12. Dunn County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,008 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,008 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #284 nationwide

- Population density: 2.2 people / square mile (4,362 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #171 nationwide

#11. Emmons County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,510 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,510 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #395 nationwide

- Population density: 2.2 people / square mile (3,262 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #170 nationwide

#10. Towner County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,025 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,025 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #647 nationwide

- Population density: 2.1 people / square mile (2,191 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #168 nationwide

#9. Burke County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,104 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,104 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #572 nationwide

- Population density: 1.9 people / square mile (2,142 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #148 nationwide

#8. Kidder County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,351 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,351 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #443 nationwide

- Population density: 1.8 people / square mile (2,468 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #142 nationwide

#7. Divide County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,261 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,261 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #480 nationwide

- Population density: 1.8 people / square mile (2,289 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #141 nationwide

#6. Golden Valley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,001 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,001 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #679 nationwide

- Population density: 1.8 people / square mile (1,796 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #138 nationwide

#5. Logan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (993 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 993 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #689 nationwide

- Population density: 1.8 people / square mile (1,743 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #133 nationwide

#4. Grant County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,659 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,659 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #363 nationwide

- Population density: 1.4 people / square mile (2,318 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #99 nationwide

#4. Sheridan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (972 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 972 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #717 nationwide

- Population density: 1.3 people / square mile (1,289 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #96 nationwide

#2. Billings County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,149 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,149 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #537 nationwide

- Population density: 0.8 people / square mile (886 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #46 nationwide

#1. Slope County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,215 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,215 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #505 nationwide

- Population density: 0.6 people / square mile (788 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #36 nationwide

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