Nelson County is a county in North Dakota, United States, on the eastern edge of the Drift Prairie between Devils Lake and the Red River Valley. It had a population of 3,015 at the 2020 census and covers 1,009 square miles (2,613 km2), centred near 47°55′N 98°12′W.
Lakota is the county seat, and its postal code is 58344. The county has seven incorporated cities, one census-designated place, and several unincorporated communities. It sits in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Nelson County
Nelson County has seven incorporated cities, one census-designated place (Dahlen), and four unincorporated communities. Cities carry a Pop. figure from the 2020 census; CDP and unincorporated places show a figure where verified, otherwise a dash.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakota | City · seat | 683 | 58344 |
| McVille | City | 392 | 58254 |
| Aneta | City | 234 | 58212 |
| Michigan City | City | 263 | 58259 |
| Petersburg | City | 162 | 58272 |
| Tolna | City | 136 | 58380 |
| Pekin | City | 75 | 58361 |
| Dahlen | CDP | — | 58224 |
| Kloten | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Mapes | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pelto | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Whitman | Unincorp. | — | — |
The old site list also carried a separate entry called “Michigan” alongside “Michigan City” — the two are the same place under an abbreviated name and are merged here into the one incorporated city.
ZIP Codes
- 58344 — Lakota
- 58254 — McVille
- 58212 — Aneta
- 58259 — Michigan City
- 58272 — Petersburg
- 58380 — Tolna
- 58361 — Pekin
- 58224 — Dahlen
Kloten, Mapes, Pelto, and Whitman have no post office of their own and are served by the ZIP code of the nearest incorporated city.
Geography
Nelson County lies on the Drift Prairie, a gently rolling glacial till landscape dotted with small lakes, sloughs, and potholes left by the retreat of the last ice sheet. The Sheyenne River crosses the county’s southwestern corner, and several coulees drain north and east toward the Forest River and the Red River basin. Of the county’s total area, 982 square miles are land and 27 square miles are water.
Nelson County borders Ramsey County to the northwest, Walsh County to the northeast, Grand Forks County to the east, Steele County to the southeast, Griggs County to the south, Eddy County to the southwest, and Benson County to the west.
Demographics
The county’s population was 3,015 at the 2020 census, continuing a long decline from its early-1900s peak of over 8,000. Lakota, the county seat, is the largest community at 683 residents; McVille is second at 392. Nelson County’s median household income runs below the North Dakota median of $76,525, reflecting its farm-dependent, thinly populated economy. Population density is roughly three people per square mile, among the lowest in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the county’s economy — small grains, sunflowers, soybeans, and cattle on the Drift Prairie’s rolling farmland. Lakota is home to Nelson County Health System, the county’s hospital and clinic, and to Nelson County High School, formed from the consolidation of the area’s smaller districts. Grain elevators along the BNSF line through McVille and Lakota remain the backbone of local commerce.
History
Nelson County was created by the Dakota Territory legislature on March 2, 1883, and organized on June 9 of that year. It was named for Nelson E. Nelson, a territorial legislator from Grand Forks County who helped secure the county’s creation. Settlement followed the arrival of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific branch lines in the 1880s and 1890s, which platted most of the county’s present-day towns as shipping points for wheat.
Getting There
U.S. Route 2 crosses the northern part of the county, and North Dakota Highways 1, 15, 32, and 35 connect its towns to surrounding counties.
- Grand Forks — 60 miles east
- Devils Lake — 35 miles northwest
- Fargo — 100 miles southeast
- Grafton — 55 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Grand Forks International Airport, about an hour’s drive east.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nelson County, North Dakota?
It is in northeastern North Dakota, on the Drift Prairie between Devils Lake and the Red River Valley.
What is the population of Nelson County?
Nelson County had a population of 3,015 at the 2020 census.
How big is Nelson County?
The county covers 1,009 square miles (2,613 km2), of which 982 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Nelson County?
Lakota is the county seat.
How many towns are in Nelson County?
Seven incorporated cities — Lakota, McVille, Aneta, Michigan City, Petersburg, Tolna, and Pekin — plus the community of Dahlen and four unincorporated places.
What ZIP codes are in Nelson County?
Eight ZIP codes serve the county, including 58344 (Lakota), 58254 (McVille), and 58212 (Aneta).
What language and dialect notes apply here?
Nelson County was settled largely by Norwegian and German-Russian immigrant farmers, and Scandinavian surnames and Lutheran church rolls still mark many of its townships.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in North Dakota.