Bowman County is a county in North Dakota, United States, in the southwestern corner of the state where it meets Montana and South Dakota. It had a population of 2,993 at the 2020 census and covers 1,167 square miles (3,023 km2), centred near 46°10′N 103°23′W.
Bowman is the county seat, and its postal code is 58623. The county has four incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities. Unlike most of North Dakota, Bowman County observes Mountain Time. The FIPS county code is 38011.
Towns & Villages in Bowman County
Bowman County has four incorporated cities — Bowman, Gascoyne, Rhame, and Scranton — plus a handful of small unincorporated communities scattered across the ranchland between them. «Unincorp.» below marks places with no city government of their own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowman | City · seat | 1,470 | 58623 |
| Scranton | City | — | 58653 |
| Rhame | City | — | 58651 |
| Gascoyne | City | — | — |
| Buffalo Springs | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Griffin | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Haley | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ives | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 58623 — Bowman (also serves the surrounding rural county seat area)
- 58651 — Rhame
- 58653 — Scranton
Gascoyne and the smaller unincorporated communities do not have a confirmed standalone ZIP code and are omitted rather than guessed.
Geography
Bowman County sits on the semi-arid plains of North Dakota’s southwestern corner, where low grassy hills and scattered buttes run north–south through the middle of the county. Most of the land is used for cattle ranching and dryland wheat farming; the county has only a small amount of surface water, mostly small creeks and stock ponds. Adams County lies to the east, and Slope County lies to the north. Across the state line, Harding County, South Dakota, borders the county to the south, and Fallon County, Montana, borders it to the west.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 2,993 residents. Bowman, the county seat, is by far the largest community at 1,470 people; Scranton is the second-largest incorporated city. The county’s median household income runs below the North Dakota median of $76,525, typical of a small ranching county with a shrinking population base. Population density works out to roughly 2.6 people per square mile, among the more sparsely settled counties in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching and dryland grain farming (mainly wheat) anchor the county’s economy, supplemented by oil and gas activity tied to the Bakken/Williston Basin play that extends into southwestern North Dakota. Bowman serves as the county’s retail, medical, and school hub. The Bowman County Fair, held each summer, is the county’s best-attended annual event.
History
Bowman County was first created on March 8, 1883, but went through several dissolutions and boundary changes before being permanently organized on July 5, 1907. It takes its name from Edward Bowman, an early territorial legislator. During World War II, the U.S. Navy named the tank landing ship USS Bowman County (LST-391) in the county’s honor, a naming convention it used for many rural American counties.
Getting There
U.S. Route 12 runs east–west through Bowman, and North Dakota Highway 8 runs north out of the county seat toward Interstate 94.
- Dickinson, North Dakota — about 65 miles northeast
- Rapid City, South Dakota — about 140 miles south
- Miles City, Montana — about 95 miles west
- Bismarck, North Dakota — about 165 miles northeast
The nearest commercial airport is Dickinson-Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK); Bowman also has its own small municipal airstrip for general aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bowman County?
It is in the southwestern corner of North Dakota, on the borders of Montana and South Dakota.
What is the population of Bowman County?
2,993 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Bowman County?
1,167 square miles (3,023 km2), most of it ranchland.
What is the county seat of Bowman County?
Bowman is the county seat.
How many towns are in Bowman County?
Four incorporated cities — Bowman, Gascoyne, Rhame, and Scranton — plus several small unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Bowman County?
58623 (Bowman), 58651 (Rhame), and 58653 (Scranton) are the confirmed ZIP codes.
What time zone is Bowman County in?
Mountain Time, unlike most of North Dakota, which observes Central Time.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in North Dakota.