Eddy County is a county in North Dakota, United States, on the upper Sheyenne River in the north-central part of the state. It had a population of 2,347 at the 2020 census and covers 644 square miles (1,668 km2), of which 630 square miles (1,632 km2) is land, centred near 47°43′N 98°54′W.
New Rockford is the county seat, and its postal code is 58356. The county has two incorporated cities, two unincorporated communities and 18 organized townships. Eddy County observes Central time and is the smallest county in North Dakota by land area.
Towns & Villages in Eddy County
Eddy County has two incorporated cities — New Rockford (the seat) and Sheyenne — plus two unincorporated communities, Brantford and Hamar. New Rockford holds roughly seven in ten county residents.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Rockford | City · seat | New Rockford | — | 58356 |
| Sheyenne | City | Sheldon | — | 58374 |
| Brantford | Unincorp. | Gates | — | 58356 |
| Hamar | Unincorp. | Freeborn | — | 58356 |
Per-place 2020 census populations were not verified for this profile and are left blank rather than estimated; the county total of 2,347 is confirmed. New Rockford is known to hold the large majority of county residents.
Townships
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| New Rockford | — | New Rockford |
| Sheldon | — | Sheyenne |
| Gates | — | Brantford |
| Freeborn | — | Hamar |
| Bush | — | — |
| Cherry Lake | — | — |
| Columbia | — | — |
| Colvin | — | — |
| Eddy | — | — |
| Grandfield | — | — |
| Hillsdale | — | — |
| Lake Washington | — | — |
| Munster | — | — |
| Paradise | — | — |
| Pleasant Prairie | — | — |
| Rosefield | — | — |
| Superior | — | — |
| Tiffany | — | — |
Eddy County’s 18 townships are all civil (organized) townships; per-township 2020 counts were not available from the sources used for this profile, so they are left blank rather than estimated.
ZIP Codes
- 58356 — New Rockford (also serves Brantford and Hamar)
- 58374 — Sheyenne
Eddy County has only two post office ZIP codes; every address in the county is served by one of the two.
Geography
Eddy County sits on the drift prairie of north-central North Dakota. The Sheyenne River crosses the upper part of the county, running generally east, and Lake Washington lies in the county’s north. Land here is a mix of cropland and pasture typical of the Sheyenne River valley, and the county’s small land area — the smallest of any North Dakota county — makes its river-cut terrain more pronounced than on the flatter prairie to the west.
Eddy County borders Benson County to the north, Nelson County to the northeast, Griggs County to the southeast, Foster County to the south, and Wells County to the west.
Demographics
Eddy County’s population was 2,347 at the 2020 census. New Rockford and Sheyenne are the county’s two largest communities; New Rockford alone accounts for the majority of county residents. Median household income data specific to Eddy County was not verified for this profile, but North Dakota’s statewide 2023 ACS median household income is $76,525, and Eddy County — a small, rural county with no oil or metro-area economy — typically runs below the state figure. Population density is roughly 3.7 people per square mile of land, among the lowest in North Dakota.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives Eddy County’s economy, with grain and small-grain farming the dominant land use across its townships. New Rockford serves as the county’s commercial and government center, home to the Eddy County courthouse and county offices. The county’s small population and land area limit large-scale industry; most employment is tied to farming, agribusiness services, and public-sector jobs based in New Rockford.
History
Eddy County was created by the Dakota Territory legislature on March 31, 1885, and organized on April 27, 1885. It is named for Ezra B. Eddy, a Fargo banker who had died shortly before the county’s creation. New Rockford was established as the county seat and has held that role since organization. As the smallest county in North Dakota by land area, Eddy County’s boundaries have remained largely unchanged since the 1880s.
Getting There
U.S. Route 281 and North Dakota Highway 15 both run through New Rockford, giving the county seat road access north toward Devils Lake and south toward Carrington.
- Devils Lake — about 35 miles north
- Carrington — about 20 miles south
- Fargo — about 110 miles southeast
- Grand Forks — about 100 miles northeast
The nearest commercial airport is Devils Lake Regional Airport; Hector International Airport in Fargo offers wider connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Eddy County, North Dakota?
Eddy County sits in north-central North Dakota, on the upper Sheyenne River between Devils Lake and Carrington.
What is the population of Eddy County?
Eddy County had a population of 2,347 at the 2020 census.
How big is Eddy County?
Eddy County covers 644 square miles (1,668 km2), making it the smallest county in North Dakota by land area.
What is the county seat of Eddy County?
New Rockford is the county seat.
How many towns are in Eddy County?
Eddy County has two incorporated cities, New Rockford and Sheyenne, plus the unincorporated communities of Brantford and Hamar.
What ZIP codes are in Eddy County?
Eddy County uses two ZIP codes: 58356 (New Rockford) and 58374 (Sheyenne).
What river runs through Eddy County?
The Sheyenne River flows east through the upper part of Eddy County.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in North Dakota.