Bismarck, North Dakota
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| Bismarck, North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bismarck, North Dakota |
| Settlement type | Capital city |
| Nickname | "The Capital City" |
| Motto | "A Capital Experience" |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | North Dakota |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Burleigh |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1872 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1875 |
| Government type | Commission–manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Mike Schmitz |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total km2 | 90.17 |
| Area total sq mi | 34.82 |
| Area land km2 | 87.38 |
| Area land sq mi | 33.74 |
| Area water km2 | 2.79 |
| Area water sq mi | 1.08 |
| Elevation m | 514 |
| Elevation ft | 1686 |
| Population total | 73529 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 841.3 |
| Population density sq mi | 2178.2 |
| Timezone | Central (CST) |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 58501–58507 |
| Area code | 701 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 38-07200 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1035930 |
| Website | www.bismarcknd.gov |
Bismarck, North Dakota is the capital city of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County, North Dakota. Located in the south-central part of the state along the eastern bank of the Missouri River, it is North Dakota's second-most populous city after Fargo, North Dakota. The city was founded in 1872 during the construction of the Northern Pacific Railway and was designated as the state capital upon North Dakota's admission to the Union in 1889.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations, with the Lewis and Clark Expedition passing through in 1804 and 1806. The settlement was established as Edwinton in 1872 by the Northern Pacific Railway and was renamed the following year for the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to attract German investment. It served as a terminus for the railroad and a hub for the Dakota Territory, with Fort Abraham Lincoln located just across the river. Following the Dakota War of 1862 and the influx of settlers, it was named the capital when North Dakota achieved statehood in 1889, a decision solidified after a contentious rivalry with the city of Fargo, North Dakota. Significant growth followed the discovery of lignite coal and later the development of the Bakken formation oil fields.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.82 square miles, with the Missouri River forming its western boundary. The terrain consists of rolling hills and prairie, part of the Drift Prairie region of the Great Plains. The climate is classified as humid continental with cold, dry winters and warm summers, influenced by its position in the North American Great Plains. Major geographic features include the river valley, the adjacent Missouri Plateau, and nearby Lake Oahe, a large reservoir formed by the Oahe Dam.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 73,529, making it the core city of the Bismarck–Mandan Metropolitan Statistical Area. The racial makeup is predominantly White, with significant communities of Native American, African American, and Asian American residents. A notable portion of the population claims German and Norwegian ancestry, reflecting the region's settlement patterns. The city is also the seat of state government, housing employees of the North Dakota State Government and various federal agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture.
Economy
The economy is dominated by government, healthcare, energy, and financial services. As the state capital, it is home to the North Dakota State Capitol and numerous state agencies, including the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Major healthcare providers include Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius Health. The energy sector is anchored by companies like Basin Electric Power Cooperative and MDU Resources Group, with significant activity related to the nearby Bakken formation. Other key employers are Bobcat Company, Bank of North Dakota (the only state-owned bank in the United States), and Microsoft, which operates a large data center.
Culture and recreation
The city hosts several cultural institutions, including the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, the Dakota Zoo, and the Belle Mehus Auditorium. Annual events include the United Tribes International Powwow, the Bismarck Marathon, and Downtown Bismarck Art & Wine Walk. Recreational opportunities abound along the Missouri River at places like Sertoma Park and the Keelboat Park, with the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Maah Daah Hey Trail nearby. The city is also home to the Bismarck Larks, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Northwoods League, and the VFW Sports Center.
Government
Bismarck operates under a commission–manager form of government, with a five-member Bismarck City Commission elected at-large. The commission appoints a city manager to oversee daily operations. The current mayor is Mike Schmitz. The city provides a full range of municipal services, including police through the Bismarck Police Department and fire protection through the Bismarck Fire Department. It is part of North Dakota's at-large congressional district and is represented in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly by districts 7, 8, 30, 32, and 35. Key local entities include the Bismarck Public Schools district and the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District.
Category:State capitals in the United States Category:Bismarck, North Dakota Category:Burleigh County, North Dakota Category:Cities in North Dakota