The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with lands partitioned from Pembina County. It was named for George I. Foster, a pioneer and member of the Territorial legislature.[4] Its governing structure was not completed at that time, and it was not attached to another county for administrative purposes. Its boundaries were altered in 1881, two times in 1883, and finally in 1885 its boundary was set at the present configuration. Its county organization was effected on October 11, 1883.[5][6]
Geography
The James River flows south-southeastward through the central part of Foster County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, mostly devoted to agriculture, its eastern portion dotted with lakes and ponds.[7] The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is at its southwestern corner, at 1,942ft (592m) ASL.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 646.862 square miles (1,675.36km2), of which 634.080 square miles (1,642.26km2) is land and 12.782 square miles (33.11km2) (1.98%) is water.[9] It is the 52nd largest county and the second-smallest county in North Dakota by total area.[10]
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14] 1990–2000[15] 2010–2020[2]
As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median home value in Foster County was $172,495.[16]
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 1,515 estimated households in Foster County with an average of 2.16 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $83,412. Approximately 11.4% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Foster County has an estimated 67.5% employment rate, with 27.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.2% holding a high school diploma.[2]
The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (97.9%), Spanish (0.3%), Indo-European (1.8%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%).
The median age in the county was 43.3 years.
Foster County, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the 2024 estimate, there were 3,323 people and 1,515 households residing in the county. There were 1,790 housing units at an average density of 2.82 per square mile (1.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% White (91.8% NH White), 1.0% African American, 1.7% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.1% of the population.[22]
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 3,397 people, 1,458 households, and 924 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 5.36 inhabitants per square mile (2.1/km2). There were 1,773 housing units at an average density of 2.80 per square mile (1.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.55% White, 0.24% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from some other races and 3.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.94% of the population.[24]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 3,343 people, 1,495 households, and 930 families residing in the county. The population density was 5.26 inhabitants per square mile (2.0/km2). There were 1,801 housing units at an average density of 2.83 per square mile (1.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.09% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from some other races and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.87% of the population.
There were 1,495 households, 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.8% were non-families, and 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 46.7 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,066 and the median income for a family was $55,278. Males had a median income of $40,076 versus $29,189 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,945. About 3.4% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Foster County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only two national elections since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
United States presidential election results for Foster County, North Dakota[25]
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