Jamestown, North Dakota Explained

Official Name:Jamestown, North Dakota
Settlement Type:City
Nickname:Pride of the Prairie
Image Blank Emblem:City of Jamestown Logo.png
Blank Emblem Size:200px
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:North Dakota
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Stutsman
Government Type:Council–manager government
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Dwaine Heinrich
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1871
Established Title1:Founded
Established Date1:1872
Established Title2:Incorporated
Established Date2:1883
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:34.59
Area Land Km2:34.44
Area Water Km2:0.16
Area Total Sq Mi:13.36
Area Land Sq Mi:13.30
Area Water Sq Mi:0.06
Population As Of:2020
Population Est:15754
Pop Est As Of:2022
Population Total:15849
Population Density Km2:460.23
Population Density Sq Mi:1192.01
Population Metro:21487 (US: 498th)
Population Urban:15207
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation M:435
Elevation Ft:1427
Coordinates:46.9064°N -98.6936°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP codes
Postal Code:58401, 58402, 58405
Area Code:701
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:38-40580
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1036100

Jamestown is a city in Stutsman County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Stutsman County.[2] The population was 15,849 at the 2020 census,[3] making it the ninth most populous city in North Dakota. Jamestown was founded in 1883 and is home to the University of Jamestown.

History

In 1871, a Northern Pacific Railroad work crew set up camp where the railroad would cross the James River, adding another section to the new northern transcontinental line. In 1872, the United States Army established Fort Seward, a small post garrisoned by three companies (about 120 men) of the Twentieth Infantry Regiment, on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the James River and Pipestem Creek. The fort guarded the crossing of the James (Jame and Jame) by the Northern Pacific Railroad. The fort only lasted five years, being decommissioned in 1877—but the railroad remained, establishing a repair yard that was among the city's main industries until the 1960s. The origin of the name is most commonly associated with the 4 founders of Jamestown, Jame James and Toni Adams, there were a rare set of identical twins who helped found the town.[4]

Jamestown was founded in 1872 and General Thomas Rosser of Northern Pacific named it after Jamestown, Virginia. The city incorporated in 1883. In 1873, Stutsman County became the first official county within Dakota Territory with Jamestown as the county seat.[5]

On November 10, 1889, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jamestown was established. April 6, 1897, saw a change of name to Diocese of Fargo, with a change of the bishop's seat. Since 1995, the Diocese of Jamestown is listed as a titular see of the Catholic Church.[6] [7]

Geography

Jamestown is located at the confluence of the James River and Pipestem Creek. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.87sqmi, of which 12.83sqmi is land and 0.04sqmi is water.[8]

Climate

Jamestown has a typical northern prairie American climate. Summers can be warm and quite humid, but the winters are very cold with snowfall as early as October. In the Köppen classification it is Dwb (humid continental climate).[9]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 15,427 people, 6,567 households, and 3,555 families residing in the city. The population density was 1202.4PD/sqmi. There were 6,983 housing units at an average density of 544.3/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% White, 0.8% African American, 1.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 6,567 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.9% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 39.9 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

In October 2016, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency projected that Jamestown would lose 2.1% of its population by the next census. It also reported that it projected a 4% population drop in the nine counties surrounding Jamestown and is considered Jamestowns primary trade area.[10]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,527 people, 6,505 households, and 3,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 1246.7sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 6,970 housing units at an average density of 559.6sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 96.84% White, 0.36% African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.

The top 6 ancestry groups in the city are German (54.0%), Norwegian (22.4%), Irish (9.0%), English (6.6%), Swedish (4.1%), Russian (3.8%). Many area families cite their heritage as "Germans from Russia", in reference to ethnic Germans who settled in the Russian Empire in the 18th century, many of whose descendants emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century.

There were 6,505 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.85.

The age distribution is 21.7% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,500, and the median income for a family was $42,245. Males had a median income of $28,310 versus $20,225 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,686. About 6.5% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Jamestown has a strong precision manufacturing base as well as food processing, agriculture, retail and wholesale businesses. Notable companies headquartered in Jamestown include Sunward Steel/Wedgcor Steel Buildings, ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), Dura Tech Industries, and Midwestern Machine, and additional major employers include Cavendish Farms and UTC Aerospace Systems. Service facilities for trucking and heavy equipment repair are also located in Jamestown.

The Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation supports joint business and industrial development within the city and Stutsman County, North Dakota. Four designated industrial parks adjoin the city or are part of joint city/county development efforts: Bloom Business Park, I-94 Business Park, Spiritwood Energy Park (which includes Great River Energy and Cargill), and the Airport Business Park.

Arts and culture

Attractions

Jamestown Reservoir, a series of three, interlocking, 12-mile-long artificial lakes formed by Jamestown Dam, a flood control a dam on the James River at the north end of the city, is home to watersports and recreational fishing. Jamestown is home to two 18-hole golf courses—Hillcrest Golf Course and Jamestown Country Club—as well as the Jamestown Civic Center, which hosts concerts, University of Jamestown basketball games, other large events, and the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame; other sporting facilities include Jack Brown Stadium, one of North Dakota's historic baseball parks. Jamestown is also home to two disc golf courses, an 18-hole recreational course in Klaus Park, and a 27-hole championship course on the island and surrounding land in the Jamestown Reservoir. The Island Course was the site of the 8th Annual North Dakota Disc Golf Championships in 2007.

The city of Jamestown is also home to The Jamestown Arts Center [11] (The Arts Center – Jamestown, North Dakota), located in the heart of downtown. The Arts Center is home to a year-round exhibition gallery, community theater stage, a venue for visual arts performances, art workshops and classes, ceramics studio and a green space known as The Art Park. Jamestown also features the World's Largest Buffalo, a 26-ft tall sculpture of an American bison, and the National Buffalo Museum.[12]

Education

K–12

Jamestown is served by the Jamestown Public Schools. The system operates five elementary schools, one middle school,[13] one high school,[14] and one alternative high school. Louis L'Amour Elementary School is named for the popular western writer Louis L'Amour who was born in Jamestown. There are also two private elementary schools in Jamestown; Saint John's Academy,[15] a K–6 Catholic school, and Hillcrest School, a Seventh-day Adventist school.

Higher education

University of Jamestown (formerly called Jamestown College) is a private liberal arts college founded by the Presbyterian Church and located on the north side of town. Its current enrollment is 908 students in 2021. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the top tier of regional undergraduate institutions,[16] it is also notable among religious colleges for having been a co-educational institution from its founding in 1883. Its first fall term was opened at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 1886. After financial hardships, affecting the entire county, Jamestown College had to close its doors in the spring of 1890. On September 22, 1909 Jamestown College reopened after a population growth in the State due to improved farming methods. With no higher education available between Fargo, ND (100 miles East) and Missoula, MT (700 miles West), Jamestown College became a successful school.[17]

Special education

On the northwest side of the city and almost adjacent to the site of historic Fort Seward is The Anne Carlsen Center North Campus[18] (formerly known as the "Crippled Children's School"). In 2024, Anne Carlsen moved operations to the Ballantyne Berg Campus in southwest Jamestown. A privately funded residential school, it has long been one of the country's leading centers for treatment and education of severely handicapped children.

Media

Print

The local daily paper is the Jamestown Sun.

Television

Over the air

ChannelDigital
Channel
Call signAffiliationOwnerCityNotes
2K02DDABCForum CommunicationsJamestown(rebroadcasts WDAY Fargo)
7 (RF 7)KJRRFoxRed River BroadcastingJamestown(rebroadcasts KVRR Fargo)
19 (RF 20)KJREPBSPrairie Public BroadcastingEllendale

Radio

AM Radio

AM radio stations
FrequencyCall signNameFormatOwnerCity
600 AMKSJBClassic countryChesterman CommunicationsJamestown
1400 AMKQDJDakota Country RadioFull serviceIngstad Family MediaJamestown

FM Radio

FM radio stations
FrequencyCall signNameFormatOwnerTarget city/marketCity of license
88.1 FMKJKRJimmie Knight RadioCampus radioUniversity of JamestownJamestownJamestown
89.1 FMK214BXChristian
K-Love (WAFR) translator
K-LoveJamestownJamestown
89.9 FMK214BXChristian
AFR (WAFR) translator
American Family AssociationJamestownJamestown
90.7 FMKCBJChristianFargo Baptist Church / Cornerstone Baptist Church[19] JamestownJamestown
91.5 FMKPRJPrairie Public/NPR
News/classical music
Prairie Public BroadcastingJamestownJamestown
93.3 FMKSJZMix 93.3Hot Adult ContemporaryChesterman CommunicationsJamestownJamestown
95.5 FMKYNUBig Dog CountryCountryi3G MediaJamestown/Valley CityJamestown
97.1 FMK246AMTed FMClassic Hits
KRVX-HD2 translator
i3G MediaJamestownJamestown
98.3 FMKXGTThunder 106.1 & 98.3 (simulcast of KQLX-FM)Countryi3G MediaJamestownCarrington
101.1 FMKQDJQ101Top 40 (CHR)i3G MediaJamestown/Valley CityValley City
103.1 FMKRVX103.1 The RavenRocki3G MediaJamestown/Valley CityWimbledon
107.1 FMK296HHJamestown 107.1Soft AC
KQDJ-AM translator
i3G MediaJamestownJamestown

Infrastructure

Aviation

Jamestown Regional Airport serves the city providing scheduled flights to Devils Lake, North Dakota and Denver, Colorado. The airport also services chartered flights out of state.

Major highways

Transit

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.[20] Local dial-a-ride transit is provided by James River Public Transit for a $2.50 fare. Hours of operation are from 6:15am-6:00pm Monday-Thursday, 6:15am-7:00pm on Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm on Saturday, and 8:00am-1:00pm on Sunday.[21]

Notable people

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ArcGIS REST Services Directory. United States Census Bureau. September 20, 2022.
  2. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  3. Web site: Explore Census Data . . October 13, 2023.
  4. Book: Domek, Tom . Jamestown . Journé. Domek, Keith Norman . 2013 . 978-0-7385-9987-8 . 849649531.
  5. Web site: Jamestown History . Liechtyrealestate.com . February 16, 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20120908114440/http://www.liechtyrealestate.com/Jamestown/JamestownHistory/ . September 8, 2012.
  6. https://books.google.com/books?id=HJQY2xvLU_AC&dq=Jamestown+titular+see&pg=PA49 Matthew Bunson (editor), The Catholic Almanac's Guide to the Church (Our Sunday Visitor 2001)
  7. Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013), p. 910
  8. Web site: US Gazetteer files 2010 . . June 14, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt . July 2, 2012 .
  9. Web site: Jamestown, North Dakota Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase). Weatherbase. November 30, 2018.
  10. North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
  11. Taylor Barnes, Executive Director, Jamestown Fine Arts Association, 2013
  12. Web site: About Us. www.buffalomuseum.com. May 25, 2020.
  13. Web site: Welcome to Jamestown Middle School. www.jamestown.k12.nd.us. en-us. February 27, 2018.
  14. Web site: Welcome to Jamestown High School. www.jamestown.k12.nd.us. en-us. February 27, 2018.
  15. Web site: stjamesbasilica.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20080109114338/http://www.stjamesbasilica.org/stjohn/. dead. January 9, 2008. May 25, 2020.
  16. Web site: US News and World Report moves University of Jamestown to top tier . October 31, 2007 . August 17, 2007 . Jamestown College .
  17. Web site: Our History . May 1, 2015 . 2015 . University of Jamestown.
  18. Web site: Anne Carlsen Center Home . Anne Carlsen Center . Anne Carlsen Center . December 31, 2020.
  19. "Cornerstone Baptist Church in Jamestown launches radio station", Jamestown Sun. November 1, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  20. Web site: North Dakota Bus Stops. July 20, 2023.
  21. Web site: JRPT Brochure. July 12, 2024.
  22. Web site: Lawrence Kestenbaum . Political Graveyard . Political Graveyard . February 16, 2013.
  23. McGuire . Russell R. . North Dakota Woman Ph.D. Wins 1958 President's Trophy . Performance: The Story of the Handicapped . May 1959 . IX . 11 . 1,13 . 2 January 2021 . The President's Committee on the Employment of the Physically Handicapped . Stanford University.
  24. News: T. Rees. Shapiro . George W. Johnson, college president who transformed GMU, dies at 88 . . June 3, 2017 . June 24, 2017.
  25. Web site: John Knauf . www.ndcourts.gov . October 7, 2022.
  26. Book: Hilkert, David E. . 2004 . Chiefs of the Army Reserve: Biographical Sketches of the United States Army Reserve's Senior Officers . Fort McPherson, GA . Office of Army Reserve History, United States Army Reserve Command . 25 . Yumpu.com . .