Park River is a city in Walsh County,

North Dakota North Dakota ( ) is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota people, Dakota and Sioux peoples. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minneso ...

, United States. The population was 1,424 at the 2020 census. Park River was founded in 1884. Park River was named after the river Park River. The controversial and often peripatetic father of

John D. Rockefeller John Davison Rockefeller Sr. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was one of the List of richest Americans in history, wealthiest Americans of all time and one of the richest people in modern hist ...

, William Avery Rockefeller, lived for a time on a 160-acre ranch in Park River that his son had purchased for him. The senior Rockefeller lived in the town through the 1890s, even after the original property was sold by his son in 1889. In 1903, a Park River blacksmith named Samuel Holland built a motor car called the Holland Special. He built at least five more cars between 1903 and 1908.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 1,403 people, 643 households and 360 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 734 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the population was 97.0% White, 1.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.4% from other races and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.4%. Of the 643 households, 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present and 44.0% were non-families. 39.7% of households were one person and 20.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 49.4 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 27.5% were 65 or older. The sex make-up of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 1,535 people, 660 households and 390 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 760 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the population was 95.57% White, 0.07% African American, 1.63% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 1.56% from other races and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.61% of the population. Of the 660 households, 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 40.8% were non-families. 38.0% of households were one person and 20.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.88. 22.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64 and 28.5% were 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males. The

median household income The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways of und ...

was $30,347 and the median family income was $40,000. Males had a median income of $26,154 and females $20,769. The per capita income was $15,990. About 6.8% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the

Köppen Climate Classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

system, Park River has a

humid continental climate A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold ...

, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Park River, North Dakota
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Notable people

* Roger Allin, fourth governor of North Dakota * Fred Hultstrand, a professional photographer who had Hulstrand Studio in Park River * Al McIntosh, newspaper editor whose columns are featured in

Ken Burns Kenneth Lauren Burns (born July 29, 1953) is an American filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture. His work is often produced in association with WETA-TV or the Nati ...

' '' The War'' * William Rockefeller Sr., father of

, lived in Park River during the summers from 1881 until at least 1897. * Paul Thorlakson, a Canadian doctor

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Cities in Walsh County, North Dakota Cities in North Dakota Populated places established in 1884 1884 establishments in Dakota Territory