McLean County, North Dakota


McLean County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 8,962. Its county seat is Washburn.

History

The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on March 8, 1883, with areas partitioned from Burleigh, Sheridan, and Stevens counties. The county was named for John A. McLean, the first mayor of Bismarck. The county organization was completed on November 1 of that year. Its boundaries were altered in 1885, in 1892, and in 1908. It has retained its current configuration since November 3, 1908, when a portion of its previous territory was partitioned to recreate Sheridan County.

Geography

The county's western boundary is delineated by Lake Sakakawea, created in 1956 by construction of Garrison Dam at the county's SW edge. The southwestern boundary of the county is delineated by the Missouri River as it continues its southeastward flow from the lake. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds in its eastern portion. The area is largely devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and east, with its highest point on the north boundary line near its NW corner, at 2,201' ASL. The county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It is the third-largest county in North Dakota by land area and second-largest by total area.

Major highways

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 9,311 people, 3,815 households, and 2,712 families in the county. The population density was 4.41/sqmi. There were 5,264 housing units at an average density of 2.49/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 92.52% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 5.95% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 48.6% were of German and 22.1% Norwegian ancestry.
There were 3,815 households out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88.
The county population contained 23.80% under the age of 18, 5.10% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,337, and the median income for a family was $39,604. Males had a median income of $32,376 versus $18,224 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,220. About 10.40% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,962 people, 3,897 households, and 2,600 families residing in the county. The population density was 4.25/sqmi. There were 5,590 housing units at an average density of 2.65/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 91.0% white, 7.0% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 54.4% were German, 24.6% were Norwegian, 6.5% were Irish, 5.6% were Swedish, 5.1% were English, and 3.6% were American.
Of the 3,897 households, 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.3% were non-families, and 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 49.1 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $52,922 and the median income for a family was $62,686. Males had a median income of $48,906 versus $29,431 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,029. About 6.5% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

McLean County voters have voted Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.