Barnes County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,853. Its county seat is Valley City. In 1872, the Dakota Territory legislature authorized Burbank County (named for governor John A. Burbank); in 1874 they renamed it Barnes County, for Alanson H. Barnes (1818–1890), an associate justice of the Territorial Court. It was organized at Valley City on January 6, 1879.

Geography

The Sheyenne River flows southerly through the central part of Barnes County. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, carved with drainages, and dotted with lakes and ponds. The area is largely devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is on its upper west boundary line, at 1,535 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 1513 sqmi, of which 1492 sqmi is land and 22 sqmi (1.4%) is water.

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Lakes

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,853 people, 4,772 households, and 2,751 families in the county. The population density was 7.3 PD/sqmi There were 5,671 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 11,066 people, 4,826 households, and 2,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 7.4 PD/sqmi. There were 5,704 housing units at an average density of 3.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.4% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.7% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 48.4% were German, 37.2% were Norwegian, 8.3% were Irish, 5.2% were English, and 2.7% were American. Of the 4,826 households, 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 44.3 years. The median income for a household in the county was $41,773 and the median income for a family was $59,558. Males had a median income of $42,575 versus $30,361 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,152. About 6.4% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Notable people

Politics

Like North Dakota as a whole, Barnes County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic County candidate.

Education

School districts: Former districts: