Napoleon, North Dakota

Napoleon, North Dakota
Downtown Napoleon
Downtown Napoleon
A corn train passes the Farmers Union Elevator
A corn train passes the Farmers Union Elevator
Motto: 
Come to visit...or spend a lifetime
Interactive map of Napoleon, North Dakota
Napoleon is located in North Dakota
Napoleon
Napoleon
Location within North Dakota
Coordinates: 46°30′14″N 99°46′06″W / 46.5039°N 99.7683°W / 46.5039; -99.7683
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Dakota
CountyLogan
Founded1886
Incorporated (village)May 4, 1914
Incorporated (city)March 18, 1947
Named afterNapoleon Goodsill
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorTodd Moos
 • AuditorColleen Fettig
 • CouncilmembersMike Heying
Rod Kleppe
Bob Humann
Clark Haas
Rich Bjerklie
John Wald
 • Park Board MembersBridget Piatz
Mary Schwartzenberger
Kevin Wolf
Kriss McCleary
Brooklyn Fettig
Area
 • City
1.383 sq mi (3.581 km2)
 • Land1.383 sq mi (3.581 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.000 km2)  0.00%
Elevation1,959 ft (597 m)
Population
 • City
749
 • Estimate 
(2025)[5]
738
 • Density542/sq mi (209/km2)
 • Metro
1,859
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
58561
Area code701
FIPS code38-55420
GNIS feature ID1036175[3]
HighwaysND 3, ND 34
Websitenapoleonnd.com

Napoleon is a city in and the county seat of Logan County, North Dakota, United States.[6] The population was 749 as of the 2020 census,[4] and was estimated at 738 in 2025.[5]

History

Napoleon was founded in 1886 and named for Napoleon Goodsill, a realtor from Steele who promoted the site.[7] The Logan County Courthouse was built in 1921.[8] Napoleon was incorporated as a village on May 4, 1914 and as a city on March 18, 1947.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.383 square miles (3.58 km2), all land.[2]

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Napoleon has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[10]

Climate data for Napoleon, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 57
(14)
63
(17)
87
(31)
94
(34)
107
(42)
108
(42)
118
(48)
111
(44)
107
(42)
95
(35)
76
(24)
70
(21)
118
(48)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 19.8
(−6.8)
24.4
(−4.2)
36.7
(2.6)
52.9
(11.6)
65.9
(18.8)
75.4
(24.1)
81.6
(27.6)
80.7
(27.1)
71.1
(21.7)
55.3
(12.9)
38.4
(3.6)
25.0
(−3.9)
52.3
(11.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 10.2
(−12.1)
14.2
(−9.9)
26.5
(−3.1)
40.8
(4.9)
53.8
(12.1)
64.1
(17.8)
69.6
(20.9)
68.0
(20.0)
58.6
(14.8)
43.9
(6.6)
28.5
(−1.9)
16.3
(−8.7)
41.2
(5.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 0.5
(−17.5)
4.0
(−15.6)
16.4
(−8.7)
28.8
(−1.8)
41.8
(5.4)
52.8
(11.6)
57.7
(14.3)
55.4
(13.0)
46.1
(7.8)
32.6
(0.3)
18.6
(−7.4)
7.5
(−13.6)
30.2
(−1.0)
Record low °F (°C) −46
(−43)
−47
(−44)
−34
(−37)
−11
(−24)
8
(−13)
25
(−4)
25
(−4)
25
(−4)
10
(−12)
−8
(−22)
−27
(−33)
−48
(−44)
−48
(−44)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.55
(14)
0.56
(14)
0.93
(24)
1.69
(43)
2.82
(72)
3.83
(97)
3.06
(78)
2.40
(61)
1.79
(45)
1.73
(44)
0.66
(17)
0.71
(18)
20.73
(527)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.6
(24)
7.9
(20)
9.2
(23)
5.7
(14)
0.7
(1.8)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
2.5
(6.4)
6.6
(17)
11.0
(28)
53.2
(135)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 9.9 10.6 9.0 7.0 7.0 6.5 5.1 6.4 87.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 7.0 5.9 4.6 1.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 3.8 6.6 31.1
Source 1: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration[11]
Source 2: National Centers for Environmental Information[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920554—
193070928.0%
194098238.5%
19501,0709.0%
19601,0780.7%
19701,036−3.9%
19801,1036.5%
1990930−15.7%
2000857−7.8%
2010792−7.6%
2020749−5.4%
2025 (est.)738[5]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
2020 Census[4]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 321 estimated households in Napoleon with an average of 2.26 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $68,750. Approximately 16.0% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Napoleon has an estimated 59.5% employment rate, with 23.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 86.9% holding a high school diploma.[14] There were 421 housing units at an average density of 304.41 per square mile (117.53/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (93.4%), Spanish (2.9%), Indo-European (3.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%).

The median age in the city was 41.8 years.

Napoleon, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000[15] Pop. 2010[16] Pop. 2020[17] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 844 777 706 98.48% 98.11% 94.26%
Black or African American alone (NH) 0 1 1 0.00% 0.13% 0.13%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 0 5 6 0.00% 0.63% 0.80%
Asian alone (NH) 3 0 0 0.35% 0.00% 0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 1 0 1 0.12% 0.00% 0.13%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 5 1 23 0.58% 0.13% 3.07%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4 8 12 0.47% 1.01% 1.60%
Total 857 792 749 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 749 people, 316 households, and 187 families residing in the city.[18] The population density was 541.58 inhabitants per square mile (209.11/km2). There were 396 housing units at an average density of 286.33 per square mile (110.55/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.26% White, 0.13% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from some other races and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.60% of the population.[19]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 792 people, 337 households, and 203 families residing in the city. The population density was 564.50 inhabitants per square mile (217.95/km2). There were 401 housing units at an average density of 285.82 per square mile (110.36/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.36% White, 0.13% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from some other races and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.01% of the population.

There were 337 households, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 48.9 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 32.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 857 people, 367 households and 238 families residing in the city. The population density was 616.80 inhabitants per square mile (238.15/km2). There were 420 housing units at an average density of 302.28 per square mile (116.71/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.83% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from some other races and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.47% of the population.

There were 367 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.82.

Age distribution was 22.1% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median household income was $28,167, and the median family income was $36,042. Males had a median income of $28,036 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,208. About 5.9% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Napoleon Public School District 2

The area is served by the Napoleon Public School District 2.[20] It operates the Napoleon School. In the 2025-26 academic year, the district reported a total of 252 students.[21]

Notable people

Joey Schmidt, accordionist

References

  1. ↑ "City Leadership". City of Napoleon, North Dakota. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  3. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Napoleon, North Dakota
  4. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  7. ↑ Wick, Douglas A. "Napoleon (Logan County)". North Dakota Place Names. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  8. ↑ Perry, Marty (October 3, 1985). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: North Dakota County Courthouses (Thematic)". National Park Service.
  9. ↑ North Dakota centennial blue book, 1889-1989. Napoleon, North Dakota: Digital Horizons. 1989. p. 509 of 656. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Climate Summary for Napoleon, North Dakota". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Station: Napoleon, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Napoleon city, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  15. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Napoleon city, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Napoleoncity, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  17. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Napoleon city, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  19. ↑ "How many people live in Napoleon city, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  20. ↑ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Logan County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Napoleon Public School District". North Dakota Information Technology. Retrieved August 17, 2026.