Northwood City North Dakota

Located in the Northwood Township of Grand Forks County in the northeast state of North Dakota, Northwood is a city that was founded back in 1884. The city had its humble beginnings back in 1875 when Paul C. Johnson together with his wife and their young daughter settled on a two-mile track of land one 1/2 miles south of the site of the present town.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 959 people, 408 households, and 243 families residing in the city. The population density was 923.1 people per square mile (356.0/km²). There were 459 housing units at an average density of 441.8/sq mi (170.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.17% White, 0.10% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

In the city, the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 27.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,000, and the median income for a family was $41,667. Males had a median income of $31,389 versus $21,389 for females.
The per capita income for the city was $17,923. About 2.8% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those aged 65 or over.

Together with other early settlers, Mr. Johnson named the town “Northwood” after Northwood in Iowa which was a departing point for caravans bound for the Dakota territory. From 1884-1889, the town saw prosperity and growth with the Hougen brothers founding their first building which housed the post office and a store. In 1883, the town’s first hotel was built as well as the construction of a dressmaking shop, another general store, a couple of butcher shops and a saloon.

The fertile soil found in the city has made it a suitable farming area. The production of agricultural products on the rich farmland make the City of Northwood an important service provider of western Grand Forks County, the eastern fourth of Nelson County, and the northern fourth of Steele and Traill Counties. Northwood has been recognized as a Tree City USA community for 20 consecutive years.