Emmons County
countyEmmons County is located in south-central North Dakota, bordering South Dakota to the south. The county's landscape features rolling hills primarily used for agriculture, with the Missouri River forming its western boundary. In 2024, the estimated population was 3,209, making it one of the less populous counties in the state. Linton serves as the county seat and largest city. Agriculture is the backbone of Emmons County's economy, with cattle ranching also playing a significant role. The county's economy also includes health care and retail trade. Emmons County was created in 1879 and organized in 1883, named after James A. Emmons, a steamboat operator and Bismarck entrepreneur. The county's German-Russian heritage is still evident today.
Emmons County, North Dakota
- Classification
- County
- Country
- United States
- County
- Emmons County
- Region
- South-central North Dakota
- Total Area
- 1,555.311 sq mi
- Land Area
- 1,508.401 sq mi
- Water Area
- 46.91 sq mi
- Latitude
- 46.284255
- Longitude
- -100.237842
- Notable Features
- Missouri River · Prairie Pothole Region · Rolling hills
- Neighboring Areas
- Burleigh County, ND · Kidder County, ND · Logan County, ND · McIntosh County, ND · Morton County, ND · Sioux County, ND · Campbell County, SD · Corson County, SD
- Population (2020)
- 3,301
- Est. Population (2024)
- 3,209
- Median Age
- 51.5
- Median Income
- $67,368
- Poverty Rate
- 13.7%
- Owner-Occupied
- 81.4%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2023, the racial makeup of the county was approximately 94.2% White, 2.11% Two or More Races, 0.948% American Indian & Alaska Native, 0.948% Two Races Including Other, and 0.551% Asian.
- Government Type
- County Commission
- Governing Body
- Board of County Commissioners
- Body Size
- 5 members
- Municipal Services
- Road Department · Sheriff/911 · Tax Equalization · Veteran's Service · Weed Board · Zoning
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.4% (Dec 2025)
- Economic Profile
- Agriculture based
- Employment Sectors
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting · Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade
- Major Employers
- Courthouse
- School Districts
- Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock Public School District · Linton Public School District · Napoleon Public School District · Strasburg Public School District · Zeeland Public School District
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Appert Lake National Wildlife Refuge · Beaver Creek Recreation Area · Flickertail National Wildlife Management Area · North Dakota Fisheries Management Area · Springwater National Wildlife Refuge · Sunburst Lake National Wildlife Refuge · Seeman Park · Hazelton Recreation Area Campground
- Parks & Trails
- Seeman Park
- Founded
- 1879
- Incorporated
- 1883
- Named After
- James A. Emmons
- Historical Significance
- Emmons County's history is tied to its early settlers, primarily German-Russian immigrants, and its development as an agricultural center.
- Key Events
- County created by Dakota Territory legislature on February 10, 1879 · Governing structure organized on November 9, 1883 · First non-Native settlers came from Europe and the eastern United States