Barnes County

History

In 1872–1873, the territorial legislature as Burbank County, being named for John A. Burbank (1872–1905), governor of the Dakota Territory from 1869 to 1873. It was renamed at the 1874–1875 session for Judge Alanson H. Barnes (1818–1890), associate justice assigned to the northern half of the territory. Government organized: January 6, 1879. County Seat: Valley City, 1879–present.

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 10,798 people and 4,852 households residing in the county. There were 5,719 housing units at an average density of 3.84 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% White (91.1% NH White), 2.2% African American, 1.7% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.1% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,853 people, 4,772 households, and 2,751 families residing in the county. The population density was 7.3 inhabitants per square mile (2.8/km2). There were 5,671 housing units at an average density of 3.80 per square mile (1.5/km2), of which 15.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.0% were owner-occupied and 32.0% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.8%.

Of the residents, 19.5% were under the age of 18 and 22.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 43.9 years. For every 100 females there were 102.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.0 males.

The racial makeup of the county was 92.4% White, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from some other race, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.7% of the population.

Of the 4,772 households, 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 11,066 people, 4,826 households, and 2,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 7.4 inhabitants per square mile (2.9/km2). There were 5,704 housing units at an average density of 3.82 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.40% White, 0.78% African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from some other races and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.11% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 48.4% were German, 37.2% were Norwegian, 8.3% were Irish, 5.2% were English, and 2.7% were American.

Of the 4,826 households, 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 44.3 years.