81 North Dakota Facts And Weird Laws

North Dakota has a vast landscape of lush woodlands, badlands, and natural wildlife you would love to explore.

The historical sites and museums offer you a glimpse into the State’s culture and history. 

Some of the popular outdoor places In North Dakota include Lake Sakakawea and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

The State also has indoor attractions like the Plains Art Museum and North Dakota Heritage Center.

We have included all the interesting facts about North Dakota in this article. Let’s take a look.

Best Fun Facts About North Dakota

1. North Dakota has 63 wildlife refuges, more than any state in the country.
2. North Dakota is the only state in the country with the world’s largest buffalo monument.
3. North Dakota applied to have “North” removed from its name more than once.
4. North Dakota is home to the world’s largest cow Holstein monument.
5. No one knows the State that came first between South and North Dakota.

North Dakota Facts—Politics And Government

1. North Dakota is a Republican Party stronghold. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the last non-Republican to win the State in 1964. 
2. The Native American tribes in Sioux and Rolette counties remain a solid Democratic Party base.
3. North Dakota has 3 electoral votes in the electoral college.
4. Like in other US states, North Dakota state government comprises the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
5. The North Dakota Century Code and North Dakota Constitution are the State’s Supreme laws. North Dakota Administrative Code is also useful to state agencies in terms of policies.
6. North Dakota is one of the easiest US states to vote in. It ranked 8th in the nation in 2020.
7. The governor is the chief official in the executive branch of the North Dakota government. Doug Burgum is the current governor of this State.
8. North Dakota’s lieutenant governor, Brent Sanford, is also the president of the State’s senate.
9.  North Dakota has 47 legislative districts. 
10. The North Dakota State has a dormant Court of Appeals. 
11. North Dakota has one seat in the US House of Representatives. The US Representative and the two US Senators from this State are Republicans.

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North Dakota Facts—History

12. The Native American culture lived in present-day North Dakota before European settlement.
13. The Mandan People and the Hidatsa group lived along rivers in present-day west-central North Dakota.
14. The Dakota people inhabited this upper midwest region. The Dakota tribe included the Yanktonai, Santee, and Lakota.
15. In 1738, the first Europeans explored the Dakota territory. Pierre Gaultier, French-Canadian, visited the Mandan villages for trade.
16. The Irish and Scottish established the first European settlement around Pembina.
17. The early European settlers in North Dakota included the Spanish.
18. Present-day North Dakota was originally part of Spanish Louisiana.
19. The construction of railroads opened up the territory to the European American settlers.
20. South Dakota and North Dakota joined the Union on 2nd November 1889.
21. Did you know that the first State President Benjamin Harrison admitted into the Union between South and North Dakota remains unknown to date? President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the statehood papers but failed to announce the order of admission. 

North Dakota’s proclamation appeared first in the Statutes At Large.

22. Non-Partisan League (NPL), a populist movement, established the nation’s largest flour mill–North Dakota Mill and Elevator. 
23. NPL also founded the Bank of North Dakota and the State’s railroad line.
24. The State Capitol, located in Bismarck, burned. It’s the State’s tallest building.
25. The State’s crime rate is rising while the nation is declining.  
26. The State got its name from a Sioux word, meaning “friend” or “ally.”

North Dakota Facts—Geography

27. North Dakota is a rural state with most of the State’s land used for agriculture.
28. Located in the Upper Midwest portion of the United States, North Dakota occupies the central region of the North American Continent. 
29. With 70,704 square miles, North Dakota is the 19th most extensive US state.
30. The State shares its border with Montana, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The state also shares the Canadian border with two Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
31. People claim Rugby to be the geographical center of North America. Others claim Center, North Dakota to be the geographic center of North America.
32. The State is home to the Great plains and badlands. 
33. The Badlands houses Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 
34. White Butte is North Dakota’s highest point at 3,506 above sea level.
35. The primary natural resources of the badlands are natural gas, lignite coal, and crude oil.
36. Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River is one of the most extensive man-made lakes in the nation.
37. Central North Dakota has the Missouri Plateau and Drift Prairies.
38. The Red River Valley occupies eastern North Dakota. The Red River drains the valley into Lake Winnipeg.
39. The eastern region is also home to the State’s largest natural lake, Devils Lake.
40. The rest of the State is grassland. 
41. North Dakota experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers.

North Dakota Facts—Animals And Plants

42. The State’s three main geographical regions–Drift Plains, Missouri plateau, and Red River Valley–are home to several animals.
43. The Flicker State’s primary predators include Elk, Red Fox, Mountain Lions, and Bighorn sheep.

44. The forested and grassland region has raccoons, beavers, ferrets, and white-tailed deer.
45. Black-tailed Prairie dogs and the arctic screw are rodents living in this State.
46. Since the Peace Garden State has several wet areas, it’s home to many waterfowl species.
47. The western meadowlark is the state bird of North Dakota.
48. The state fish of North Dakota is the Northern Pike.
49. Nokota horse is the State’s honorary equine.
50. The Prairie rattlesnake is the State’s only venomous snake species.
51. Bison are one of the most  dangerous animals living in this State.
52. The Piping Plover, American White Pelican, Dakota Skipper, Merriam’s Shrew, Swift Fox, and eastern spotted skunk are some of the endangered animal species in the Peace Garden State.
53. The most common plants in North Dakota include Fragrant sand verbena, white yarrow, Anise hyssop, white snakeroot, prairie onion,  Indigo bush, Meadow anemone, and Pacific anemone.
54. Over 90% of the State’s forests consist of deciduous trees. Some of the trees in North Dakota State are Burr oak, cottonwood, and American elm.
55. The State’s symbols for plants include state grass (western wheatgrass), state flower (wild prairie rose), and state tree (American Elm).

North Dakota Facts—Demographics

56. With slightly over 779,094, North Dakota is the fifth least populated State.
57. The state capitol grounds are located in Bismarck which is the second most populated city in North Dakota. 
58. Fargo is the most extensive and the city with the highest population in the State.

59. More than 80% of the North Dakota’s consist of whites.
60. The major cities in North Dakota are Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks.
61. Over 90% of North Dakotans use only the English language for communication. English is the official state language of North Dakota.
62.  North Dakota consists of 53 counties. Cass County, Burleigh County, Grand Forks Country, Ward County, Williams Country, and Slope County are the State’s major counties.
63. Around 77% of North Dakotans are Christians.
64. German is the most common ancestry in the State, followed by Norwegian, Irish, Swedish, Russian, and French.
65. Jamestown in North Dakota is home to the largest Buffalo Statue, weighing 60 tons.

North Dakota Facts—Economy

66. North Dakota ranked 16th in fiscal stability, infrastructure(4), and natural environment(8). 
67. Only Texas produces more oil than North Dakota.
68. North Dakota is the leading producer of honey in the country.
69. The State boasts one of the highest employment rates in the United States. 
70. North Dakota’s major industries include agriculture, technology, food processing, and petroleum.
71. North Dakota’s income has recorded the highest growth in the country since 2007.
72. North Dakota State is the only one with a state flour mill, North Dakota Mill and Elevator, and a state bank, the Bank of North Dakota.
73. North Dakota is farmland, with 90% of the State’s land used for farming.

74. North Dakota produces durum wheat, barley, and oats.
75. Part of North Dakota lies in the Corn Belt. Therefore it produces a high quantity of corn. 
76. The Red River Valley leads in the production of the State’s sugarbeets.
77. Tourism is a key industry in the State with great outdoor activities, even though the State is one of the least visited in the US.
78. The largest Scandinavian festival, the Norsk Høstfest, occurs in Minot.
79. Rutland was home to the largest hamburger, weighing 3,591 pounds.
80.  A North Dakotan, David Henderson, invented and named the camera by adding ” K” to the scrambled first four letters of Dakota –Kodak.
81. The Guinness World Record holder for the largest metal sculpture is the “Geese in Flight” sculpture in North Dakota.

Famous Locations in North Dakota

1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the top locations in North Dakota. This national park was named in honor of US President Theodore Roosevelt.
2. The National Buffalo Museum is home to the largest bison (concrete) globally. You may also love the sight of the albino bison.
3. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a cultural village near Stanton.
4. North Dakota Heritage Center is rich in the history of the State.

5. Plains Art Museum is home to an extensive collection of art.
6. Scandinavian Heritage Park, located near Minot, is the place for you to learn about Scandinavian culture.
7. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park allows you to learn the history of Native Americans and the State’s military history.
8. Lake Sakakawea is the State’s most extensive reservoir.
9. Maah Daah Hey Trail is the perfect place for hiking, biking, or horse riding.
10. Fargo Moorhead Visitor Center in Fargo.

Famous People From North Dakota

• Leslie Bibb, the American actress, was born in Bismarck.
• Josh Duhamel, the American actor, was born in Minot.
• Singer Peggy Lee was born in Jamestown, North Dakota.
• James Buchli, the ex-NASA astronaut, was born in New Rockford.
• Kellan Lutz, the actor, was born in Dickinson, North Dakota.

Common Misconceptions About North Dakota

Here are the most common misconceptions about the North Dakota state.

Life is Boring in North Dakota

There are a lot of indoor and outdoor activities to do in this State.

Wild Bison are everywhere

This belief is false. The State is home to the largest buffalo, but that doesn’t mean you can find them everywhere.

Only a few people live in North Dakota

Fargo city has over 100,000 people. 

Cornfields are everywhere in North Dakota

Yes, there are cornfields. The State is also home to other crops as well as cities.

Top Weird North Dakota Laws

Here are our top North Dakota weird laws. Read the Craziest Laws in the United States, if you want more.

1. Restaurants in North Dakota shouldn’t serve pretzels and beer.
2. New Year celebrations shouldn’t proceed past 11 PM in Devil’s Lake.
3. It’s unlawful to swim in the Red River when naked.
4. It’s illegal to put your horse in a bathtub.
5. You may distill your alcohol to zero level of alcohol.
6. Don’t put your elk in a sandbox in Waverly.
7. Charity groups shouldn’t host stud poker games more than twice to raise money.
8. Don’t think of dancing with your hat on when in Fargo.
9. It’s unlawful to sleep while still wearing your shoes.

Final Thoughts

Many people often overlook North Dakota. As you can see, the State is rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. 

Are you planning to visit North Dakota? Don’t forget to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

We hope you love our interesting facts about North Dakota.

North Dakota Facts And Stats

Capital	Bismarck
Population	2020 (779,094)
Governor	Doug Burgum (Republican Party)
Date Of Admission	November 2, 1889
U.S. Senators	Kevin Cramer(R) John Hoeven(R)
US House of Representatives	1(of 435 Seats)
State Nickname	Flickertail StateRough Rider StateHeavenThe 701Peace Garden StateNorse Dakota
State Motto	Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.
State Song	“North Dakota Hymn” by James W. Foley and Doctor C. S. Putnam
State Flower	Prairie Rose
State Fish	Northern Pike
State Bird	Western Meadowlark
State Tree	American Elm
State Grass	Western Wheatgrass
State Drink	Milk
State Dance	Square Dance
State Gem	Agate
State Fossil	Shipworm-bored petrified wood
Neighbor States	Minnesota Montana South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is North Dakota famous for?

• Spring wheat.
• Durum wheat.
• Dry edible peas.
•  Dry edible beans.
• Honey.
• Dakota Dinosaur Museum.
• Turtle Mountains.
• Largest buffalo.

What are the 10 interesting facts about North Dakota?

1. North Dakota was home to the world’s largest hamburger.
2. Potato Bowl USA in Grand Forks is one of the most popular events in the country.
3. North Dakota holds the Guinness World Record for the most snow angels –the event involved 8,962 people.
4. North Dakota is home to the first camera.
5. North Dakota hosts the world’s largest annual French fries festival 
6. North Dakota, the roughrider state, is home to the largest metal sculpture. 
7. The popular movie Fargo was set in North Dakota.
8. The state of North Dakota has the largest church-going population in the US.
9. The Peace Garden State is home to the International Peace Garden.
10. The North Dakota name originated from the Dakota Indian tribe.

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Related Content: 

• North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer Bio | Contact | Quotes
• North Dakota Senator John Hoeven Bio | Contact | Quotes
• North Dakota Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide

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References

[1] https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.history.com/.amp/topics/us-states/north-dakota

[2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_North_Dakota

[3] https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/attractions/northdakota.php

[4] https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/north-dakota