Steele County is a county in North Dakota, United States, on the rolling prairie of the Red River Valley’s western edge. It had a population of 1,798 at the 2020 census and covers 712 square miles (1,844 km2) of land centred near 47°27′04″N 97°43′08″W.
Finley is the county seat, and its postal code is 58230. The county has four incorporated cities, three unincorporated communities, and a network of 20 civil townships. Steele County observes Central time and carries FIPS code 38091.
Towns & Villages in Steele County
Steele County has seven named places on record: four incorporated cities and three unincorporated communities. Populations below are census-tract estimates where a 2020 place-level figure could not be confirmed; unverified cells show —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finley | City · seat | — | 58230 |
| Hope | City | — | 58046 |
| Luverne | City | — | 58056 |
| Sharon | City | — | 58277 |
| Blabon | Unincorp. | — | 58230 |
| Colgate | Unincorp. | — | 58046 |
| Sherbrooke | Unincorp. | — | 58230 |
Sherbrooke was the original county seat when Steele County organized in 1883; Finley took over the role in 1919 and remains the largest city today. Pickert, a former rail siding once listed alongside Blabon and Colgate, has no residents or standing structures left and is not carried in this table.
ZIP Codes
- 58230 — Finley (also serves Blabon and Sherbrooke)
- 58046 — Hope (also serves Colgate)
- 58056 — Luverne
- 58277 — Sharon
All seven named places in the county are covered by these four ZIP codes; none of the unincorporated communities has its own post office.
Geography
Steele County sits on gently rolling prairie dotted with small lakes and sloughs, drained by the Sheyenne River across its southern townships. Farmland dominates the landscape, with agriculture as the primary land use across nearly all of the county’s 712 square miles.
The county borders Grand Forks County to the north, Traill County to the east, Cass County to the southeast, Barnes County to the southwest, Griggs County to the west, and Nelson County to the northwest.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 1,798 residents, making Steele County one of North Dakota’s least populous counties. Finley and Hope are the two largest communities. Median household income in the county has historically run below the North Dakota median of $76,525, reflecting the county’s small, farm-dependent tax base. Population density is roughly 2.5 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Steele County’s economy is built on grain and oilseed farming — wheat, soybeans, and canola are the leading crops on the county’s flat, fertile ground. Finley’s grain elevator and a handful of farm-supply and implement dealers anchor the local commercial base; Hope and Sharon each retain a school, a bank branch, and a Main Street of small businesses serving the surrounding farms.
History
The Dakota Territory legislature organized Steele County on June 2, 1883, naming it for Edward H. Steele, a St. Paul businessman who lobbied for its creation. Sherbrooke served as the first county seat; the seat moved to Finley in 1919 as rail traffic and population shifted toward the Goose River line. The county’s population peaked decades ago and has declined gradually since, a pattern common across small farm counties on the Northern Plains.
Getting There
State Highway 200 crosses the county east–west through Finley and Hope, connecting to U.S. Route 81 at the Traill County line.
- Grand Forks — 45 miles northeast
- Fargo — 55 miles southeast
- Valley City — 35 miles southwest
- Cooperstown — 20 miles west
Grand Forks International Airport is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Steele County, North Dakota?
It sits in east-central North Dakota, in the Red River Valley’s western upland, between Grand Forks and Valley City.
What is the population of Steele County?
1,798 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Steele County?
712 square miles (1,844 km2) of land.
What is the county seat of Steele County?
Finley is the county seat.
How many towns are in Steele County?
Four incorporated cities — Finley, Hope, Luverne, and Sharon — plus three unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Steele County?
58230 (Finley), 58046 (Hope), 58056 (Luverne), and 58277 (Sharon).
Was Finley always the county seat?
No. Sherbrooke was the original seat when the county organized in 1883; Finley took over in 1919.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in North Dakota.