Kidder County

Kidder County is an administrative region in eastern North Dakota covering about 1,400 square miles (3,600 sq km). The landscape includes hills, lakes, and ponds with several small communities spread across it.

The Dakota Territory legislature established the county in 1873, naming it after Jefferson Parrish Kidder, a delegate to the United States Congress. The region became part of the settlement expansion across the northern Great Plains during the late 1800s.

Residents maintain German and Norwegian heritage traditions that are visible in local architecture and community gatherings. These influences continue to shape how towns look and feel today.

Interstate 94 and state highways 3 and 36 run through the area, connecting the small towns together. The county seat of Steele serves as the main hub for services and local information.

The population peaked around 1910 with roughly 9,600 residents before declining to about 2,400 in recent decades. This pattern reflects broader shifts that affected many rural counties across the Great Plains.

Location: North Dakota

Inception: 1873

Capital city: Steele

Shares border with: Wells County, Stutsman County, Logan County, Emmons County, Burleigh County, Sheridan County

GPS coordinates: 46.98000,-99.78000

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:48