Pierce County, North Dakota

Pierce County Education, Geography, and History

Pierce County is a county located in the state of North Dakota. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 4,357. Its county seat is Rugby. The county was created by the 1887 territorial legislature and named for Gilbert Ashville Pierce, governor of Dakota Territory from 1884 to 1886 and a representative of North Dakota in the United States Senate from 1889 to 1891. The county government was first organized on April 6, 1889.

The geographical center of North America is in Pierce County, about 6 miles (10 km) west of Balta. Rugby has a monument for the center at the intersection of US 2 and ND 3.

Etymology - Origin of Pierce County Name

Named for Gilbert Ashville Pierce (1839-1901), governor of Dakota Territory, 1884-1886, and later one of North Dakota's first U. S. Senators, 1889-1891.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Pierce County History

Created by the 1887 territorial legislature and named for Gilbert Ashville Pierce (1839-1901), governor of Dakota Territory, 1884-1886, and later one of North Dakota's first U. S. Senators, 1889-1891. Government organized: April 6, 1889. County Seat: Rugby, 1889-present.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,082 square miles (2,800 km²), of which 1,019 square miles (2,640 km²) is land and 64 square miles (170 km²) (5.9%) is water.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Rolette County (north)
• Towner County (northeast)
• Benson County (east)
• Wells County (southeast)
• Sheridan County (southwest)
• McHenry County (west)
• Bottineau County (northwest)

Education

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