Stutsman County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,593, and was estimated to be 21,414 in 2025,

Stutsman County comprises the Jamestown, North Dakota micropolitan statistical area.

History

thumb|Outline map of Stutsman County, North Dakota, 1911

The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with area partitioned from Buffalo and Pembina counties. It was not organized at that time, nor was it attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. It was named for Enos Stutsman, an area lawyer and politician. On June 10 of the same year, the county organization was effected, with Jamestown as the county seat. Its boundaries have not changed since its creation.

Geography

The James River flows south-southeasterly through the east central part of the county. The terrain consists of low rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds in its western portion. The area is largely devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the east and south; its highest point is a hill at the southwestern corner, at ASL.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (3.31%) is water. It is the 2nd largest county in North Dakota by total area.

Major highways

Transit

  • Jefferson Lines

Adjacent counties

  • Foster County - north
  • Griggs County - northeast
  • Barnes County - east
  • LaMoure County - southeast
  • Logan County - southwest
  • Kidder County - west
  • Wells County - northwest

Protected areas

  • Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (part)
  • Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Halfway Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • National Audubon Society Alkali Lake Wildlife Refuge

Lakes

  • Alkali Lake
  • Arrowwood Lake
  • Barnes Lake
  • Big Mallard Marsh
  • Blair Slough
  • Blue Lake
  • Chase Lake
  • Chicago Lake
  • Colby Lake
  • Eric Lake
  • Fischer Lake
  • Fisher Lake
  • Jamestown Reservoir
  • Jim Lake
  • Moon Lake
  • Mud Lake
  • Northwest Lake
  • Pearl Lake
  • Prairie Lake
  • Prairie Pothole
  • Runner Slough
  • School Lake
  • Spiritwood Lake
  • Trautman Slough
  • West Lake

Demographics

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Education

School districts include:

  • Barnes County North Public School District 7
  • Carrington Public School District 10
  • Gackle-Streeter Public School District 56
  • Jamestown Public School District 1
  • Kensal Public School District 19
  • Kidder County Public School District 1
  • Litchville-Marion Public School District 46
  • Medina Public School District 3
  • Montpelier Public School District 14
  • Pingree-Buchanan Public School District 10

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Stutsman County, North Dakota
  • North Dakota statistical areas

References

  • Stutsman County – official website
  • Stutsman County in the world war : Jamestown, North Dakota (1919) from the Digital Horizons website
  • Stutsman County North Dakota in the James River Valley : a Stutsman home, and herds on pasture (1925) from the Digital Horizons website
  • Stutsman County maps, Sheet 1 (northern) and Sheet 2 (southern), North Dakota DOT