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Bottineau, North Dakota

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Bottineau, North Dakota
City
"Tommy Turtle", symbol of Bottineau
"Tommy Turtle", symbol of Bottineau
Nickname: 
Four Seasons Playground
Motto: 
Vi Skal Vinne
Map
Interactive map of Bottineau, North Dakota
Bottineau is located in North Dakota
Bottineau
Bottineau
Location within North Dakota
Coordinates: 48°49′29″N 100°26′33″W / 48.8248°N 100.4425°W / 48.8248; -100.4425
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Dakota
CountyBottineau
Founded1883
Incorporated1887
Government
[1]
 • MayorMatt Seykora
 • PresidentDouglas Marsden
 • CouncilmembersDean Fix
Harlen Getzlaff
Greg L. Stewart
Jenifer Lauckner
Douglas Marsden
Gary Mortensen
Julia Mehlhoff
Ethan Hall
Area
[2]
 • City
1.316 sq mi (3.408 km2)
 • Land1.316 sq mi (3.408 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.000 km2)  0.00%
Elevation
[3]
1,631 ft (497 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • City
2,194
 • Estimate 
(2025)[5]
2,152
 • Density1,667/sq mi (643.8/km2)
 • Metro
6,284
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
58318
Area code701
FIPS code38-08460
GNIS feature ID1035936[3]
HighwaysND 5
Websitebottineau.govoffice.com

Bottineau is a city in and the county seat of Bottineau County, North Dakota, United States.[6] Located just over ten miles (16 km) south of the Canada–United States border. The population was 2,194 as of the 2020 census,[4] and was estimated at 2,152 in 2025.[5]

The city is home to Dakota College at Bottineau. Attractions in Bottineau include the Bottineau Winter Park and "Tommy Turtle," the world's largest turtle, which has become a landmark for the city. Built in 1978 and thirty feet (9 m) in height, the fiberglass turtle is located in the eastern half of the city and was built as a symbol for the nearby Turtle Mountains.[7] The International Peace Garden is nearby to the northeast.

Bottineau is also home to Programmer's Broadcasting, which owns and operates KBTO, along with KTZU and KWGO in Minot.

History

[edit]
Pierre Bottineau

Bottineau was founded in 1883 as Oak Creek as a customs station and an overnight stagecoach stop. The town name was changed to Bottineau in 1884 in honor of Pierre Bottineau (c. 1814–1895), a Métis pioneer, hunter, and trapper, who became a successful land speculator.

The town was originally located about 1½ miles (2½ km) north of its current location. The entire town was moved south in 1887 to where the Great Northern Railway was installing new tracks.[8]

The widest tornado on record in North Dakota, at 1.14 miles wide, dropped near Bottineau in 1986.[9] It destroyed a mobile home but did not harm the pregnant woman who was inside.

In 2012, a new chalet called Annie's House was built in Bottineau Winter Park, ten miles (16 km) north. The facility was North Dakota's first ski facility for handicapped children and wounded veterans. It was built to honor Ann Nicole Nelson, who was the only North Dakotan to die in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.[10]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.316 square miles (3.41 km2), all land.[2] The elevation is 1,631 feet (497 m) above sea level.

Climate

[edit]

Bottineau has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb) with four seasons and huge differences in temperatures throughout the year. Summers tend to be warm, sometimes hot, and winters are severely cold. On February 13, 2021, the record low temperature of −51 °F (−46 °C) was registered.[11]

Climate data for Bottineau, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 54
(12)		 63
(17)		 79
(26)		 95
(35)		 110
(43)		 108
(42)		 111
(44)		 106
(41)		 102
(39)		 91
(33)		 73
(23)		 63
(17)		 111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 38.3
(3.5)		 40.0
(4.4)		 53.5
(11.9)		 74.3
(23.5)		 84.6
(29.2)		 88.1
(31.2)		 90.9
(32.7)		 93.3
(34.1)		 88.7
(31.5)		 76.5
(24.7)		 54.6
(12.6)		 39.4
(4.1)		 94.9
(34.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 15.2
(−9.3)		 19.8
(−6.8)		 32.9
(0.5)		 51.3
(10.7)		 65.2
(18.4)		 74.0
(23.3)		 79.3
(26.3)		 79.1
(26.2)		 69.3
(20.7)		 52.6
(11.4)		 34.2
(1.2)		 20.1
(−6.6)		 49.4
(9.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 5.6
(−14.7)		 9.7
(−12.4)		 23.3
(−4.8)		 39.8
(4.3)		 53.1
(11.7)		 62.8
(17.1)		 67.7
(19.8)		 66.5
(19.2)		 56.7
(13.7)		 41.3
(5.2)		 24.9
(−3.9)		 11.4
(−11.4)		 38.6
(3.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) −4.0
(−20.0)		 −0.4
(−18.0)		 13.7
(−10.2)		 28.2
(−2.1)		 41.0
(5.0)		 51.5
(10.8)		 56.1
(13.4)		 53.8
(12.1)		 44.1
(6.7)		 30.0
(−1.1)		 15.6
(−9.1)		 2.6
(−16.3)		 27.7
(−2.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −28.7
(−33.7)		 −24.1
(−31.2)		 −12.0
(−24.4)		 11.5
(−11.4)		 25.4
(−3.7)		 39.3
(4.1)		 46.0
(7.8)		 42.7
(5.9)		 29.4
(−1.4)		 13.9
(−10.1)		 −5.1
(−20.6)		 −21.3
(−29.6)		 −31.3
(−35.2)
Record low °F (°C) −47
(−44)		 −51
(−46)		 −37
(−38)		 −16
(−27)		 6
(−14)		 25
(−4)		 30
(−1)		 28
(−2)		 11
(−12)		 −6
(−21)		 −28
(−33)		 −44
(−42)		 −51
(−46)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.53
(13)		 0.53
(13)		 0.76
(19)		 1.07
(27)		 2.58
(66)		 3.87
(98)		 2.75
(70)		 2.61
(66)		 1.52
(39)		 1.50
(38)		 0.78
(20)		 0.70
(18)		 19.20
(488)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.1
(23)		 6.9
(18)		 7.3
(19)		 4.0
(10)		 1.1
(2.8)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.25)		 4.1
(10)		 8.2
(21)		 9.0
(23)		 49.8
(126)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.7 5.3 5.5 7.0 9.8 12.6 9.3 8.1 7.1 7.4 6.7 6.7 92.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 6.4 4.7 4.2 1.7 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 5.0 6.2 30.6
Source: NOAA[11][12]

Law and government

[edit]

Bottineau uses the city council style of municipal government. Citizens are divided by location into four wards, who each elect two city council members, for a total of eight.

The current president of the city council is Douglas Marsden and the current mayor of the city is Matt Seykora.[1] The city council meets on the first Monday of every month in the city's Armory.

Economy

[edit]
Downtown Bottineau. The "Botno" theater name reflects the local pronunciation of Bottineau.

The economy in Bottineau is based on agriculture and recreational activities.

The city's commercial district consists mainly of small local shops, but a Walmart Supercenter store is now operating within Bottineau; some consider this unusual for a town of such a small size.[13] Bottineau is also home to the Bottineau County Fair, which is the state's oldest county fair.[14]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890145—
1900888512.4%
19101,33149.9%
19201,172−11.9%
19301,32212.8%
19401,73931.5%
19502,26830.4%
19602,61315.2%
19702,7605.6%
19802,8292.5%
19902,598−8.2%
20002,336−10.1%
20102,211−5.4%
20202,194−0.8%
2025 (est.)2,152[5]−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
2020 Census[4]

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of June 30, 2026, in Bottineau was $255,540.[16]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 873 estimated households in Bottineau with an average of 2.25 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $65,905. Approximately 12.0% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Bottineau has an estimated 58.3% employment rate, with 26.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.1% holding a high school diploma.[17] There were 947 housing units at an average density of 719.60 per square mile (277.8/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (97.2%), Spanish (0.9%), Indo-European (0.7%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.2%), and Other (0.0%).

The median age in the city was 35.5 years.

Bottineau, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[18]Pop. 1990[19]Pop. 2000[20]Pop. 2010[21]Pop. 2020[22]
White alone (NH) 2,755
(97.38%)		2,545
(97.96%)		2,216
(94.86%)		2,020
(91.36%)		1,778
(81.04%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 0
(0.00%)		5
(0.19%)		7
(0.30%)		15
(0.68%)		28
(1.28%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 29
(1.03%)		31
(1.19%)		59
(2.53%)		87
(3.93%)		130
(5.93%)
Asian alone (NH) 21
(0.74%)		11
(0.42%)		9
(0.39%)		11
(0.50%)		28
(1.28%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) ——0
(0.00%)		0
(0.00%)		1
(0.05%)
Other race alone (NH) 0
(0.00%)		0
(0.00%)		1
(0.04%)		1
(0.05%)		9
(0.41%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) ——21
(0.90%)		47
(2.13%)		139
(6.34%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0
(0.00%)		6
(0.23%)		23
(0.98%)		30
(1.36%)		81
(3.69%)
Total 2,829
(100.00%)		2,598
(100.00%)		2,336
(100.00%)		2,211
(100.00%)		2,194
(100.00%)

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,194 people, 938 households, and 503 families residing in the city.[23]. The population density was 1,667.17 inhabitants per square mile (643.7/km2). There were 1,113 housing units at an average density of 845.74 per square mile (326.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.23% White, 1.28% African American, 6.56% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from some other races and 6.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.69% of the population.[24]

There were 938 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 33.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and _% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2._ and the average family size was 2._.

In the city the population was spread out with _% were under 5 years of age, 21.9% under the age of 18, _% from 18 to 24, _% from 25 to 44, _% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $_, and the median income for a family was $_. Males had a median income of $_ versus $_ for females. The per capita income for the city was $_. _% of the population and _% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, _% were under the age of 18 and _% were 65 or older.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

20.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present.

There were 1,113 housing units, of which 15.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.1%.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,211 people, 972 households, and 538 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,026.58 inhabitants per square mile (782.5/km2). There were 1,085 housing units at an average density of 994.50 per square mile (384.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.36% White, 0.68% African American, 4.12% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from some other races and 2.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.36% of the population.

There were 972 households, of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.7% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the city was 44.9 years. 18.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 24.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,336 people, 979 households, and 550 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,230.0 inhabitants per square mile (861.0/km2). There were 1,114 housing units at an average density of 1,063.4 per square mile (410.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.25% White, 0.34% African American, 2.87% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.09% from some other races and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.98% of the population.

There were 979 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 14.2% from 18 to 24, 18.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,022, and the median income for a family was $40,938. Males had a median income of $29,286 versus $20,089 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,530. About 5.4% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

K–12

[edit]

Bottineau Public Schools, the local school district,[25] operates one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school.

Higher education

[edit]

Media

[edit]
  • Newspapers

The Bottineau Courant is a weekly publication.

  • Radio

KBTO Sunny 101.9 is a local FM station offering local weather, sports, advertisement and country music.[26] A few other stations are available from nearby Manitoba such as BOUNCE 96.1 which is an "80's 90's, and 00’s" mix station from Brandon, MB, Canada.[27]

Notable people

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Mayor and Council". City of Bottineau, North Dakota. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  3. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bottineau, North Dakota
  4. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Tommy the Turtle". Roadside America. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Bottineau Quasquicentennial". June 20, 2009. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  9. ↑ Jackson, William (2024). North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones. Dickinson, North Dakota: Valley Star Publications. p. 67. ISBN 979-8-89480-378-4.
  10. ↑ Building Annie’s House published in the Minot Daily News on September 9, 2012
  11. 1 2 "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Station: Bottineau, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  13. ↑ Bottineau Wal-Mart story Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine - KXMB
  14. ↑ "Events - Bottineau North Dakota". bottineau.govoffice.com. City of Bottineau, North Dakota.
  15. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Bottineau, ND Housing Market". Zillow. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bottineau city, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  18. ↑ General Social and Economic Characteristics: North Dakota (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 27 of 80. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  19. ↑ North Dakota: 1990 (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 33 of 254. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  20. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bottineau city, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  21. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bottineau city, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  22. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bottineau city, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  23. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  24. ↑ "How many people live in Bottineau city, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  25. ↑ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Bottineau County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Listen To Your Favorite Country Music - Minot, North Dakota's Sunny 101.9". www.sunny1019fm.com.
  27. ↑ "Brandon's BOUNCE 96.1 | the Music You Just Can't Quit".
[edit]
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