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Valley City, North Dakota facts for kids

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Valley City, North Dakota
City of Valley City
Central Ave and Main Street in Valley City
Central Ave and Main Street in Valley City
Motto(s): 
"City of Bridges"
Location of Valley City, North Dakota
Location of Valley City, North Dakota
Valley City, North Dakota is located in North Dakota
Valley City, North Dakota
Valley City, North Dakota
Location in North Dakota
Country United States
State North Dakota
County Barnes
Area
 • Total 4.13 sq mi (10.69 km2)
 • Land 4.13 sq mi (10.69 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,217 ft (371 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 6,575
 • Density 1,532.11/sq mi (591.52/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
58072
Area code(s) 701
FIPS code 38-81180
GNIS feature ID 1032618
Highways I-94, I-94 Bus.

Valley City is a city in Barnes County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Barnes County. The population was 6,575 during the 2020 census, making it the twelfth largest city in North Dakota. Valley City was founded in 1874.

Valley City is known for its many bridges over the Sheyenne River, including the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge. These bridges have earned it the distinction of being called the "City of Bridges". The city is also the home of Valley City State University and the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA).

History

Valley City was originally called Worthington, and under the latter name was laid out in 1874 when the railroad was extended to that point. The present name is for the city's location in the valley of the Sheyenne River. A post office was established under the name Worthington in 1874, and has continued to operate under the name Valley City since 1878. A Carnegie Library opened in 1903, through the efforts of the "Tuesday Club," a local womens' organization.

Geography

Valley City is located at 46°55′29″N 98°0′20″W / 46.92472°N 98.00556°W / 46.92472; -98.00556 (46.924632, -98.005438).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.46 square miles (8.96 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 302
1890 1,089 260.6%
1900 2,446 124.6%
1910 4,606 88.3%
1920 4,686 1.7%
1930 5,268 12.4%
1940 5,917 12.3%
1950 6,851 15.8%
1960 7,809 14.0%
1970 7,843 0.4%
1980 7,774 −0.9%
1990 7,163 −7.9%
2000 6,826 −4.7%
2010 6,585 −3.5%
2020 6,575 −0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
2020 Census

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 6,585 people, 2,986 households, and 1,563 families living in the city. The population density was 1,903.2 inhabitants per square mile (734.8/km2). There were 3,307 housing units at an average density of 955.8 per square mile (369.0/km2). The racial makup of the city was 95.2% White, 1.2% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5%.

Of the 2,986 households 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.7% were non-families. 39.4% of households were one person and 17.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age was 42.1 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

Sites of interest

Hi-line-railroad-bridge
Hi Line Railroad Bridge as seen from Chautauqua Park, Valley City, ND
  • Hi-Line Railroad Bridge
  • North Dakota Winter Show
  • North Country Trail
The Vault (Coffee Shop)
The Vault honor system coffee shop in Valley City, ND.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Valley City has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.


Education

K–12

Valley City is served by the Valley City Public School District which consists of Jefferson Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, and Valley City Junior/Senior High School. St. Catherine's Catholic School for grade K–6 also serves students in Valley City.

Higher education

  • Valley City State University

Notable people

  • Jeff Boschee, professional basketball player
  • Paul Fjelde, sculptor; professor at Pratt Institute
  • John E. Grotberg, congressman
  • Peggy Lee, jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress
  • George W. Mason, chairman and CEO of Kelvinator and American Motors Company
  • James M. McPherson, Civil War historian; Pulitzer Prize winner
  • Gerhard Brandt Naeseth, genealogist; founder of the Norwegian-American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library
  • Earl Pomeroy, congressman
  • Ann Sothern, film and TV actress with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  • Herman Stern, proprietor of Straus Clothing, businessman, humanitarian, social and economic activist
  • Carol Thurston, actress
  • Frank White, eighth governor of North Dakota and treasurer of the United States (1921–1928)
  • Michael Wobbema, member of the North Dakota Senate
  • George M. Young, congressman, judge

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Valley City (Dakota del Norte) para niños

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