North Dakota

McKenzie

14,704
2020 population
1890
first census record
13
census records

About McKenzie

McKenzie, North Dakota, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 3. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 14,704.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Attack on Fort Buford Woodcutters (1866), Fort Buford Engagements (Assiniboine), Sitting Bull's Surrender at Fort Buford, and 3 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202014,704
20106,360
20005,737
19906,383
19807,132
19706,127
19607,296
19506,849
19408,426
19309,709
19209,544
19105,720
18903
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in McKenzie

Military engagements that took place in McKenzie, North Dakota.

Attack on Fort Buford Woodcutters (1866)
1866
Fort Buford Engagements (Assiniboine)
1867
Sitting Bull's Surrender at Fort Buford
1881

Historic places in McKenzie

National Register of Historic Places listings in McKenzie, North Dakota.

Fairview Lift Bridge
Cartwright
Grassy Butte Post Office
Grassy Butte
Sandstone School
Keene

Other counties in North Dakota

Explore census history and historic records for more North Dakota counties.

AdamsBarnesBensonBillingsBottineauBowmanBufordBurkeBurleighCassCavalierChurchDickeyDivideDunnEddyEmmonsFlanneryFosterGarfield
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about McKenzie County, North Dakota

This page charts the census history of McKenzie County, North Dakota. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your McKenzie County, North Dakota report
Or see a real report first

Explore North Dakota records

North Dakotahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from North Dakota›

Frequently asked about McKenzie

When does McKenzie first appear in the US census?
McKenzie, North Dakota first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 3.
What is the population of McKenzie?
At the most recent federal census (2020), McKenzie had a recorded population of 14,704.
Were any battles fought in McKenzie?
3 documented military engagements took place in McKenzie, including Attack on Fort Buford Woodcutters (1866), Fort Buford Engagements (Assiniboine), Sitting Bull's Surrender at Fort Buford.
How many historic places are in McKenzie?
3 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in McKenzie, North Dakota.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report