DAPL protests

The 1,172-mile long Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) route submitted in its final permit applications starting in September 2014 would include a 72-mile portion through Morton County.^[9] The county became a focus of DAPL protests in April 2016. In August 2016 the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (SRST) filed an injunction against United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to attempt to halt construction. In his 58-page decision by United States District Judge James E. Boasberg shows that the tribe failed to participate in the process of the USACE and Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) to address the tribes complaints.^[10] Furthermore, the tribe did not cite a fear of water contamination in the injunction. The injunction request was denied and also failed on appeal. Amnesty International wrote a letter to Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier on September 28, 2016, requesting that he investigate the use of force by private contractors, remove blockades and discontinue the use of riot gear by Morton County sheriff's deputies when policing protests in order to facilitate the right to peaceful protests in accordance with international law and standards.^[11] This letter was written in response to private security guards using guard dogs on advancing protesters on September 3, along with using pepper spray.^[12] On November 20, North Dakota police officers fired rubber bullets, tear gas, CS canisters and water from fire hoses at rioting protesters in subfreezing temperatures.^{[citation needed]}

Major highways

Transit

• Bis-Man Transit

Adjacent counties

Protected areas^[13]

Lakes^[13]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 33,291 people, 13,827 households, and 8,617 families in the county.^[21] The population density was 17.3 inhabitants per square mile (6.7/km²) There were 15,107 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 27,471 people, 11,289 households, and 7,523 families in the county. The population density was 14.3 inhabitants per square mile (5.5/km²). There were 12,079 housing units at an average density of 6.3 per square mile (2.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.6% white, 3.6% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry.

Of the 11,289 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.4% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 39.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,591 and the median income for a family was $62,713. Males had a median income of $42,044 versus $31,505 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,303. About 5.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

Cities

Census-designated place

• Harmon

Unincorporated communities^[13]

Township

• Captain's Landing