Sentinel Butte, North Dakota

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Sentinel Butte, North Dakota
Sentinel Butte, North Dakota post office.jpg
Sentinel Butte post office
ND Golden Valley County Sentinel Butte.svg
Location of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota
Coordinates: 46°55′10″N103°50′26″W / 46.91944°N 103.84059°W / 46.91944; -103.84059
CountryUnited States
State North Dakota
County Golden Valley
Founded1902
Area
[1]
  Total
1.046 sq mi (2.709 km2)
  Land1.031 sq mi (2.669 km2)
  Water0.016 sq mi (0.042 km2)
Elevation
[2]
2,720 ft (829 m)
Population
 (2020) [3]
  Total
61
  Estimate 
(2024) [4]
70
  Density59.2/sq mi (22.86/km2)
Time zone UTC–7 (Mountain (MST))
  Summer (DST) UTC–6 (MDT)
ZIP Code
58654
Area code 701
FIPS code 38-71780
GNIS feature ID1032020 [2]

Sentinel Butte is a city in Golden Valley County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 61 at the 2020 census, [3] and was estimated at 70 in 2024. [4]

Contents

History

Sentinel Butte was founded in 1902 along the transcontinental rail line of the Northern Pacific Railway. The name comes from the prominent butte (3,428 ft [1,045 m]) three miles (5 km) to the south. This geographical feature was named in honor of two Arikara sentinels killed nearby in 1864 by the Sioux. [5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.046 square miles (2.71 km2), of which 1.030 square miles (2.67 km2) is land and 0.016 square miles (0.04 km2) (1.53%) is water.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Sentinel Butte has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. [6]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1920 292
1930 219−25.0%
1940 25616.9%
1950 229−10.5%
1960 160−30.1%
1970 125−21.9%
1980 86−31.2%
1990 79−8.1%
2000 62−21.5%
2010 56−9.7%
2020 618.9%
2024 (est.)70 [4] 14.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
2020 Census [3]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 56 people, 30 households, and 17 families residing in the city. The population density was 53.8 inhabitants per square mile (20.8/km2). There were 38 housing units at an average density of 36.5 per square mile (14.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White.

There were 30 households, of which 6.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.47.

The median age in the city was 56.8 years. 5.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.1% were from 25 to 44; 39.3% were from 45 to 64; and 33.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 62 people, 30 households, and 18 families residing in the city. The population density was 55.3 inhabitants per square mile (21.4/km2). There were 44 housing units at an average density of 39.2 per square mile (15.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 30 households, out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 16.1% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 33.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,563, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males and females had a median income of $21,250. The per capita income for the city was $13,584. There were 16.7% of families and 18.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 26.7% of those over 64.

References

  1. "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sentinel Butte, North Dakota
  3. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  5. Wick, Douglas A. "Sentinel Butte (Golden Valley County)". North Dakota Place Names. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  6. Climate Summary for Sentinel Butte, North Dakota
  7. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.