Population34,013 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A Railway County With A Civic Center
Stark County, North DakotaDickinson anchors Stark County, where railway connections shaped the county name and the city’s early development. The county’s courthouse history and the later establishment of a normal school add civic and educational chapters to a local story rooted in transportation and regional growth. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 34,013 residents in Stark County, North Dakota, on July 1, 2025.
Stark County at a Glance
Population34,013 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatDickinson
Largest CityDickinson (2025)
Established1879 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesLook up by address
Total Area, Including Water1,340.328 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Road MapsView county maps
Area Codes701Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Stark County
Stark County was created in 1879 and named for railway figure George Stark. County government was organized in 1883, with Dickinson as its seat, and a brick courthouse followed in 1886. The local historical account also identifies the normal school's establishment in 1918 as an educational milestone. Together, these events trace the development of a regional community from railway connections into a place with more established public, administrative and educational institutions.
Begin in Dickinson and use railway history to understand the county's early connections. The courthouse sequence provides a civic theme, while the normal-school story offers a separate educational one. Current local visitor resources can identify public places where these histories are interpreted. Check access before planning a building or campus visit. A county-focused outing can connect those institutions with the regional setting rather than treating the city only as a travel stop.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
The county's courthouse history and the later establishment of a normal school add civic and educational chapters to a local story rooted in transportation and regional growth.
The Local Story
Stark County was created in 1879 and named for railway figure George Stark. County government was organized in 1883, with Dickinson as its seat, and a brick courthouse followed in 1886.
Explore The County
Begin in Dickinson and use railway history to understand the county's early connections. The courthouse sequence provides a civic theme, while the normal-school story offers a separate educational one.
Stark County
Places and perspectives from Stark County
No Kings rallies in North Dakota emphasize early voting
Hundreds rallied across North Dakota on Saturday to encourage early voting in the Nov. 3 election, joining similar…
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
North Dakota News
Statewide reporting from North Dakota Monitor, with county guides when news is unavailable.
No Kings rallies in North Dakota emphasize early voting
Hundreds rallied across North Dakota on Saturday to encourage early voting in the Nov. 3 election, joining similar…
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
North Dakota officials are jumpstarting next phase of effort to boost Bakken oil production
A coalition of oil industry leaders, state officials and a U.S. senator are rallying support for the next…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Ag commissioner candidates tackle tariffs, farm crisis, data centers during debate
Republican Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring sparred with Democratic challenger Vern Thompson on tariffs, the farm crisis and more…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Trump back on the road as analysts see more congressional races shifting in Dems’ favor
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has a flurry of travel on deck in the final frantic weeks leading…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Immigrants from Ukraine, Sudan could soon lose protected status
WASHINGTON — More than 100,000 Ukrainians and roughly 2,000 Sudanese immigrants are bracing for the possibility they’ll lose…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readMeet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
County government and departments
Find Stark County officials, department contacts and county services in the North Dakota Association of Counties directory.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Belfield Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 302 3rd St NE, Belfield, ND 58622. 701-575-4275.
Heart River Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 720 7th St SW, Dickinson, ND 58601. 701-456-0012.
Richardton-Taylor High School – High; grades 07-12. 320 Raider Rd, Richardton, ND 58652. 701-974-2111.
South Heart Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 310 4th St NW, South Heart, ND 58655. 701-677-5671.
Dickinson Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 2675 21st St W, Dickinson, ND 58601. 701-456-0021.
Early Childhood Program – Prekindergarten; grades PK-PK. 107 3rd Ave SE, Dickinson, ND 58601. 701-227-3010.
Taylor-Richardton Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 306 Ertel Ave, Taylor, ND 58656. 701-974-3585.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Chi St Alexius Health Dickinson – Critical Access Hospitals. 2500 Fairway Street, Dickinson, ND 58601. 701-456-4000.
Public safety contacts
Find the Sheriff’s Office in the Stark County officials directory for local public-safety contacts. For an emergency, call 911.
Emergency management
For an emergency, call 911. For planning and preparedness contacts, find Emergency Management in the Stark County officials directory.
State parks and recreation
Explore the state park directory to plan trips in this part of North Dakota and beyond. Check the destination page for facilities and current notices.
Trail maps and outdoor recreation
Use North Dakota Parks and Recreation’s destination information to find trail maps and outdoor activities. Destinations may be outside Stark County.
Electric and gas utilities
Find utility information and provider links through the North Dakota Public Service Commission. Service availability depends on your address; contact your municipality for local water and sewer service.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Dickinson Area Public Library – 139 Third Street West, Dickinson, ND 58601. 701-456-7700.
County court information
Select Stark County in the North Dakota Court System directory for court locations and contact information.
DMV
North Dakota — Motor Vehicle Online Services
North Dakota — REAL ID Information
North Dakota — Driver licensing, tests and records
Transportation and transit
Use NDDOT’s transit map to find providers serving your area. Confirm service days and booking requirements with the provider.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Stark County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Stark County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
34,013 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
1,340.328 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official North Dakota resources: Motor Vehicle Online Services; REAL ID Information; Driver licensing, tests and records. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Stark County was created in 1879 and named for railway figure George Stark. County government was organized in 1883, with Dickinson as its seat, and a brick courthouse followed in 1886. The local historical account also identifies the normal school's establishment in 1918 as an educational milestone. Together, these events trace the development of a regional community from railway connections into a place with more established public, administrative and educational institutions.
Begin in Dickinson and use railway history to understand the county's early connections. The courthouse sequence provides a civic theme, while the normal-school story offers a separate educational one. Current local visitor resources can identify public places where these histories are interpreted. Check access before planning a building or campus visit. A county-focused outing can connect those institutions with the regional setting rather than treating the city only as a travel stop.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 1,334.913 square miles of land and 5.415 square miles of water in Stark County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Stark County had an estimated 33,831 residents on July 1, 2020, and 34,013 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 182 residents, or about 0.5%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Dickinson is the county seat listed for Stark County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
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