Adams Public RecordsNorth Dakota

As of the 2020 Census, Adams County, ND, had a population of 2,200. The median age is 48.5 years, with 21.5% under 18 and 25.6% aged 65 or older. Gender distribution is nearly even: 50.1% male and 49.9% female. The population is predominantly White (96.5%), with small percentages identifying as two or more races (2.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%), and Native American (0.9%).

Adams County, ND, had 1,466 registered voters as of 2022. The county participates in federal, state, and local elections, including primary and general elections. In the 2020 presidential election, 78% voted Republican, 19% Democrat. Polling locations include the Adams County Courthouse in Hettinger. Voting issues have included rural accessibility and mail-in ballots. The Adams County Auditor administers elections. Major parties are Republican and Democratic-NPL. Turnout in recent elections was 70%.

Adams County, ND, has a homeownership rate of about 75%, with a median home value around $93,000 as of 2022. Median rent is approximately $540 monthly. The housing market remains stable, with slow appreciation rates under 2% annually. Most homes are single-family houses, many built before 1970, spread across small communities like Hettinger. Property taxes are modest, with the average effective rate near 1.2%. Neighborhoods are rural and tight-knit, offering affordable living and low housing density.

As of 2022, Adams County, ND, had an employment rate of approximately 61%, with around 900 residents in the labor force. Major employment sectors include agriculture (27%), educational services/health care (19%), and retail trade (11%). Typical occupations involve management, sales, and production roles. About 78% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 13 minutes, mostly within county limits or neighboring Bowman County. Remote work comprises nearly 8% of the workforce. Unemployment remains low at roughly 2.2%.

Adams County, ND, serves approximately 350 K-12 students across one main school district, Lemmon Public School District 52-2, which includes a high school. The high school graduation rate is over 85%, but only about 17% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The student-to-teacher ratio is around 10:1, supporting individualized attention. School safety ratings are above average, with minimal reported incidents. The district offers vocational and dual-credit programs, but higher education opportunities require travel. Adult education options are limited locally. Overall, educational attainment and programming are typical for rural North Dakota.

Adams County, ND, maintains a low crime rate compared to state and national averages. According to the latest FBI data, the county reported fewer than 10 violent crimes and under 40 property crimes annually, with a crime rate of approximately 5.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. Law enforcement agencies emphasize community policing and encourage public reporting, contributing to a high sense of safety. Residents benefit from quick response times and proactive crime prevention programs, resulting in Adams County being considered among the safer rural areas in North Dakota.