1940: North Dakota

Area and Population.

The 'Flickertail State,' with an area of 70,837 sq. mi., ranks 16th in size among the states; some three-fourths of the total area is cultivated. The fertile farm land is in the Red River valley in the eastern part of the state, and on the Missouri River plateau in the West; the Bad Lands in the southwest are cattle country.

Although the state is one of the belt of five midwest states which declined in population since 1930, its loss amounting to 38,910, its present 641,935 (1940 census) still keeps it in its former ranking of 38th in population. Some four-fifths of the residents are native-born; but almost half of these (a proportion larger than in any other state) had one or more foreign-born parents. Of the 20 per cent who are foreign-born, Norwegians are most numerous, followed by Russians, Canadians, Germans, Swedes, and Danes (in that order).

North Dakota has a larger rural population proportionately than any state except Mississippi; five-sixths of its people live outside the cities. The largest cities are: Fargo, 32,580; Grand Forks, 20,228; Minor, 16,577; Bismarck (the capital), 15,496.

Agriculture.

North Dakota is more largely devoted to agriculture than any other state. Most valuable is its wheat crop, which is usually worth as much as all others combined, and is second only to that of Kansas. The next best cash crops are barley, oats, corn, and hay.

Industry.

The state is naturally less concerned with manufacturing than most; only Nevada and New Mexico are less so. Almost the only manufacture carried on is the processing of farm products, including dairy products, grain, and poultry.

Mineral Products.

Two minerals have become important in the past few years, both being found in the west: lignite coal, and clay. The coal underlies some 32,000 sq. mi., and is estimated to include two-thirds of the national deposits of lignite. The clay deposits include brick clay and fine pottery clay.

Education.

The latest figures released by the Superintendent of Public Instruction show 155,031 inhabitants of school age (6 to 21); 112,401 in 4,456 elementary schools, and 33,579 in 212 high schools. They are taught by 1,808 men and 6,373 women, whose average annual salary is $621. The total state expenditure for public instruction is reported as $10,577,836.

Banking.

The State Banking Department reported the financial status of the 121 State Banks and one trust company as of Oct. 2, 1939, as follows: Loans and discounts, $13,173,407 (increased over the previous quarter); capital stock, $2,390,000 (decreased); total deposits, $25,533,076 (increased); total reserve, $7,535,235 (increased); surplus reserve, $3,258,046 (increased).

Finance.

The State Auditor reported for the year ending June 30, 1938, total county and state expenditures of $23,230,342, including highway costs of $8,241,034; public welfare, $5,252,483; poor relief, $4,644,762; general, $3,290,934; Federal funds administered by the state, $4,082,686.

Events of the Year.

The political event of the year was of course the election, in which this state failed for the first time since 1892 to give its vote to the winner in the presidential contest. North Dakota was one of the eight midwest states to support Wendell Willkie, giving him 55 per cent of its total vote of 280,775, and a plurality of 30,554 over President Roosevelt.

State Officers.

Governor, John Moses; Lieutenant Governor, Oscar Hagen; Treasurer, Carl Anderson; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arthur E. Thompson; Attorney General, Alvin C. Strutz.

United States Senators:

Gerald P. Nye, William Langer.