North Dakota

McLean

9,771
2020 population
1890
first census record
14
census records

About McLean

McLean, North Dakota, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 860. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 9,771.

Its recorded population peaked at 18,824 in 1950, and has since declined by roughly 48 percent.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Heerdt Site Conflict – North Dakota, Knife River Villages Attack Threat 1862, Hunkpapa Sioux Raids on Fort Stevenson 1866–1867, and 8 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20209,771
20108,962
20009,311
199010,457
198012,383
197011,251
196014,030
195018,824
194016,082
193017,991
192017,266
191014,496
19004,791
1890860
Source

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

Battles & engagements in McLean

Military engagements that took place in McLean, North Dakota.

Heerdt Site Conflict – North Dakota
1420
Knife River Villages Attack Threat 1862
1862
Hunkpapa Sioux Raids on Fort Stevenson 1866–1867
1866

Historic places in McLean

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

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Wrought-Iron Cross Site
Mercer
Soo Line Depot
Wilton
Semevolos Farm
Butte
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church
Wilton
Browse all North Dakotahistoric sites ›

Other counties in North Dakota

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

HettingerHowardKidderLaMoureLoganMcHenryMcIntoshMcKenzieMercerMortonMountrailNelsonOliverPembinaPierceRamseyRansomRenvilleRichlandRolette
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about McLean County, North Dakota

This page charts the census history of McLean 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 McLean 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 McLean

When does McLean first appear in the US census?
McLean, North Dakota first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 860.
What is the population of McLean?
At the most recent federal census (2020), McLean had a recorded population of 9,771.
When did McLean's population peak?
McLean's recorded population peaked at 18,824 in 1950.
Were any battles fought in McLean?
3 documented military engagements took place in McLean, including Heerdt Site Conflict – North Dakota, Knife River Villages Attack Threat 1862, Hunkpapa Sioux Raids on Fort Stevenson 1866–1867.
How many historic places are in McLean?
8 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in McLean, 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