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Bismarck, North Dakota

Capital city of North Dakota, United States


Capital city of North Dakota, United States

FieldValue
official_nameBismarck, North Dakota
settlement_typeCapital city
native_namemirahacii arumaaguash (Hidatsa)
image_skyline
image_flagFlag of Bismarck, North Dakota.svg
image_sealSeal of Bismarck, North Dakota.png
image_blank_emblemBismarck, ND Logo.png
blank_emblem_typeLogo
<!-- Maps ----------------->image_mapND Burleigh County Bismarck.svg
mapsize250px
map_captionLocation of Bismarck, North Dakota
pushpin_mapNorth Dakota#USA
pushpin_reliefyes
pushpin_labelBismarck
<!-- Location ------------->subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameUnited States
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1North Dakota
subdivision_type2County
subdivision_name2Burleigh
<!-- Government ----------->government_footnotes
leader_titleMayor
leader_partyNonpartisan
leader_nameMike Schmitz
leader_title1Commissioner
leader_name1Anne Cleary
Michael Connelly
Steve Marquardt
Greg Zenker
established_titleFounded
established_dateMay 14, 1872
established_title1Incorporated
established_date1January 14, 1875
named_forOtto von Bismarck
<!-- Area ----------------->unit_prefImperial
area_footnotes
total_typeCity
area_total_km294.410
area_land_km293.123
area_water_km21.288
area_urban_km2108.4
area_metro_km211088
area_total_sq_mi36.452
area_land_sq_mi35.955
area_water_sq_mi0.497
area_urban_sq_mi41.85
area_metro_sq_mi4281.1
area_water_percent1.36
<!-- Population ----------->population_as_of2020
population_est77772
pop_est_as_of2024
pop_est_footnotes
population_footnotes
population_total73622
population_rankUS: 486th
ND: 2nd
population_density_km2865.69
population_density_sq_mi2242.15
population_urban98198 (US: 316th)
population_urban_footnotes
population_density_urban_km2905.89
population_density_urban_sq_mi2346.27
population_metro139183 (US: 302nd)
population_density_metro_km212.55
population_density_metro_sq_mi32.50
<!-- General information -->timezoneCentral (CST)
utc_offset–6
timezone_DSTCDT
utc_offset_DST–5
elevation_footnotes
elevation_m532
elevation_ft1745
coordinates
postal_code_typeZIP Codes
postal_code58501, 58502, 58503, 58504, 58505, 58506, 58507
area_code701
blank_nameFIPS code
blank_info38-07200
blank1_nameGNIS feature ID
blank1_info1035934
blank2_nameHighways
blank2_infoUS 83, I 94, I 94 Bus., I 194, ND 810
website

itUhtaáwe (Arikara) Michael Connelly Steve Marquardt Greg Zenker ND: 2nd

Bismarck () is the capital city of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the state's second-most populous city, after Fargo. The population was 73,622 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 77,772 in 2024, while its metropolitan population was 133,626. In 2014, Forbes magazine ranked Bismarck as the seventh fastest-growing small city in the United States.

Bismarck was founded by European-Americans in 1872 on the east bank of the Missouri River. It has been North Dakota's capital city since 1889, when the state was created from the Dakota Territory and admitted to the Union.

Bismarck is across the river from Mandan, named after a Native American tribe of the area. The two cities comprise the core of the Bismarck metropolitan area.

The North Dakota State Capitol is in central Bismarck. The state government employs more than 4,600 in the city. As a hub of retail and health care, Bismarck is the economic center of south-central North Dakota and north-central South Dakota.

History

Main article: History of Bismarck, North Dakota

For thousands of years, various indigenous peoples inhabited present-day central North Dakota. The historic Mandan Native American tribe occupied the area long before Europeans arrived. The Hidatsa name for Bismarck is mirahacii arumaaguash ("Place of the tall willows"); the Arikara name is ituhtaáwe [itUhtaáwe].

In 1872, European Americans founded a settlement at what was then called Missouri Crossing, so named because the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the river there on their exploration of the land acquired by the Louisiana Purchase in 1804–06. It had been an area of Mandan settlement. Later, the new town was called Edwinton, after Edwin Ferry Johnson, engineer-in-chief for the Northern Pacific Railway. Its construction of railroads in the territory attracted workers and settlers.

In 1873, the Northern Pacific Railway renamed the city Bismarck in honor of German chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Railroad officials hoped to attract German settlers to the area and German investment in the railroad. It is the only U.S. state capital named for a foreign statesman. The discovery of gold in the nearby Black Hills of South Dakota the following year was a great impetus for growth. Thousands of miners came to the area, encroaching on what the Lakota considered sacred territory, leading to heightened tensions with Native Americans.

Bismarck became a freight-shipping center on the "Custer Route" from the Black Hills. In 1879, the first recorded tornado in North Dakota history smashed a steamship into the Missouri River's bank near Bismarck, causing major damage.

In 1883, Bismarck was designated as the capital of the Dakota Territory in place of Yankton, South Dakota, and in 1889, as the state capital of the new state of North Dakota.

Geography

Bismarck is located at (46.8142737, -100.7694052).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 36.452 sqmi, of which 35.955 sqmi is land and 0.497 sqmi (1.36%) is water.

Cityscape

date=July 2024}}

The city has developed around downtown Bismarck, the center of historic development. It is distinctive because the city's major shopping center, Kirkwood Mall, is in the city center rather than in the suburbs. Several other major retail stores are near Kirkwood Mall, which was developed near the Bismarck Event Center. The two Bismarck hospitals, CHI St. Alexius Medical Center and Sanford Health (previously Medcenter One Health Systems), are downtown. The streets are lined with small stores and restaurants.

Much recent commercial and residential growth has occurred in the city's northern section, largely because of expanding retail centers. Among the shopping centers in northern Bismarck are Gateway Fashion Mall, Northbrook Mall, Arrowhead Plaza, and the Pinehurst Square "power center" mall.

The North Dakota State Capitol complex is just north of downtown Bismarck. The 19-story Art Deco capitol is the tallest building in the state, at a height of 241.75 ft. Completed during the Great Depression in 1934, it replaced the original capitol building that burned to the ground in 1930. The capitol grounds encompass the North Dakota Heritage Center, the North Dakota State Library, the North Dakota Governor's Residence, the State Office Building, and the Liberty Memorial Building. The North Dakota State Penitentiary is in eastern Bismarck.

The Cathedral District, named after the Art Deco Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, is a historic neighborhood near downtown Bismarck. Some homes in this neighborhood date to the 1880s, although many were built in the first decades of the 20th century. At times, the city has proposed widening the streets in the neighborhood to improve traffic flow. Many residents object because such a project would require the removal of many of the towering American elms which line the streets. These have escaped the elm disease that destroyed street canopies of trees in eastern cities.

After the completion of the Garrison Dam in 1953 by the Army Corps of Engineers, which improved flood control, the floodplain of the Missouri River became a more practical place for development. Significant residential and commercial building has occurred in this area on the city's south side. The Upper Missouri River is still subject to seasonal flooding.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Bismarck, North Dakota

Situated in the middle of the Great Plains, between the geographic centers of the United States and Canada, Bismarck displays a highly variable four-season humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa/Dfb, Trewartha Dcac/Dcbc) bordering on a cold semi arid climate. Bismarck's climate is characterized by cold, somewhat dry, snowy, and windy winters and warm, humid summers. Thunderstorms occur in spring and summer, but much of the rest of the year is dry.

The warmest month in Bismarck is July, with a daily mean of 71.3 °F, with typically wide variations between day and night. The coldest month is January, with a 24-hour average of 12.8 °F. Precipitation peaks from May to September and is rather sparse in the winter. Winter snowfall is typically light to moderate, occurring with the passage of frontal systems; major storms are rare.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 2020 Census

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of August 31, 2025, in Bismarck is $358,716.

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 34,239 estimated households in Bismarck with an average of 2.20 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $73,877. Approximately 8.8% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Bismarck has an estimated 65.7% employment rate, with 43.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.7% holding a high school diploma. There were 35,757 housing units at an average density of 994.49 /sqmi.

The top two reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (93.8%) and Other (6.2%).

The median age in the city was 39.6 years.

Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic)Pop. 1980Pop. 1990title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bismarck city, North Dakotaurl=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US3807200publisher=United States Census Bureauaccess-date=September 21, 2025}}title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bismarck city, North Dakotaurl=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=p2&g=160XX00US3807200publisher=United States Census Bureauaccess-date=September 21, 2025}}
White alone (NH)43,432
(97.63%)47,446
(96.33%)52,387
(94.34%)56,152
(91.64%)
Black or African American alone (NH)48
(0.11%)55
(0.11%)141
(0.25%)393
(0.64%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)653
(1.47%)1,220
(2.48%)1,846
(3.32%)2,678
(4.37%)
Asian alone (NH)192
(0.43%)196
(0.40%)249
(0.45%)340
(0.55%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH)15
(0.03%)16
(0.03%)
Other race alone (NH)14
(0.03%)14
(0.03%)17
(0.03%)32
(0.05%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH)462
(0.83%)849
(1.39%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race)146
(0.33%)325
(0.66%)415
(0.75%)812
(1.33%)
Total**44,485
(100.00%)****49,256
(100.00%)****55,532
(100.00%)****61,272
(100.00%)**

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 73,622 people, 31,739 households, and 18,107 families residing in the city. The population density was 2122.71 PD/sqmi. There were 34,049 housing units at an average density of 981.72 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 84.72% White, 2.91% African American, 4.84% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from some other races and 4.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.52% of the population.

The most reported ancestries were:

  • German (49.4%)
  • Norwegian (15.0%)
  • Irish (11.1%)
  • English (9.6%)
  • Russian (3.9%)
  • Swedish (3.4%)
  • French (3.3%)
  • Scottish (2.3%)
  • Polish (2.0%)
  • Scandinavian (1.8%)

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 61,272 people, 27,263 households, and 15,624 families residing in the city. The population density was 1986.5 PD/sqmi. There were 28,648 housing units at an average density of 928.6 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.40% White, 0.65% African American, 4.53% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from some other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.33% of the population.

Regarding ancestry, 56.1% were German, 20.5% were Norwegian, 7.2% were Irish, 6.7% were Russian, 3.7% were American, and 3.6% were English descent.

There were 27,263 households, of which 27% had children under the age of 18 living with them (the lowest percentage in North Dakota), 44.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.7% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 20.8% of residents were under 18; 11% were between 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 55,532 people, 23,185 households, and 14,444 families residing in the city. The population density was 2065.2 PD/sqmi. There were 24,217 housing units at an average density of 900.6 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.78% White, 0.28% African American, 3.39% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from some other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 23,185 households, of which 30.2% had children under 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.

The city's population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income per household in the city was $39,422, and the median income per family was $51,477. Males had a median income of $33,804 versus $22,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,789. About 5.7% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Top employers

According to the city's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

NumberEmployerNumber of employeesPercentage
1State of North Dakota4,4569.87%
2Sanford Health4,0249.31%
3Bismarck Public Schools3,3857.50%
4Bobcat/Doosan Company1,2802.84%
5CHI St. Alexius Medical Center1,2702.81%
6U.S. Government Offices1,2002.66%
7Bismarck State College8911.97%
8City of Bismarck6961.54%
9Walmart (2 locations)6651.47%
10Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center6101.35%
Total18,65741.32%

Unemployment rate

The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted).

BismarckBurleigh
CountyBismarck
Metropolitan
Statistical AreaNorth
DakotaUnited
StatesMarch 2025April 2025May 2025June 2025July 2025August 2025
2.7%2.7%2.9%3.1%4.2%
2.2%2.5%2.2%2.5%4.2%
2.0%2.1%1.9%2.1%4.2%
2.4%2.3%2.3%2.7%4.1%
2.6%2.5%2.5%2.6%4.2%
4.3%

Arts and culture

The Belle Mehus Auditorium, named after a local piano teacher, is a 1914 historic building in downtown Bismarck and a center for arts in the area. Performances of Northern Plains Dance and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra are held there.

Theater companies in Bismarck include the Capitol Shakespeare Society, Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre, the Shade Tree Players children's theater group, Dakota Stage Ltd, University of Mary, Bismarck State College, and various high school groups. The Gannon and Elsa Forde Art Galleries are at Bismarck State College. The Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra, founded in 2000, performs a variety of musical genres.

Libraries

Bismarck libraries include Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library and North Dakota State Library.

Sports

Amateur

High school and college sports are the main feature of the local athletics landscape. The athletic teams at the three public Bismarck high schools, Bismarck High School, Century High School, and Legacy High School, are known as The Demons, The Patriots, and The Sabers, respectively. The athletic teams at St. Mary's Central High School, Bismarck's Catholic high school, are known as The Saints. The teams at Bismarck State College and United Tribes Technical College are known as The Mystics and Thunderbirds, and both compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association in the Mon-Dak Conference. The teams at the University of Mary are The Marauders and compete in NCAA Division II in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Bismarck has an American Legion baseball team called the Governors.

In the fall, the accent is on high school and college football. There are spirited rivalries among the several high schools in the area. Most University of Mary football games are played in the Community Bowl. Other popular winter sports include ice hockey, wrestling and basketball.

In spring, baseball is one of the city's top amateur sports, with each high school, Bismarck State College, and The University of Mary providing teams. The University of Mary and Bismarck State College both also have a softball team. High schools and colleges also feature track and field during the spring.

In the summer, Bismarck has American Legion baseball and auto racing. The Fourth of July holiday is the height of rodeo time, with rodeos in Mandan and Bismarck. Slow-pitch softball is played by teams in the city. Bismarck is the host city of the world's largest charity softball tournament, the Sam McQuade Sr. softball tournament, in which more than 400 teams from the U.S. and Canada compete.

The Bismarck Bobcats hockey team of the North American Hockey League is made up of junior players (age 20 and younger, sometimes 21 if waived). The Bobcats won back-to-back Borne Cup championships as America West Hockey League members before merging into the NAHL in 2003. The Bobcats have made several trips to the NAHL's national tournament, claiming their first Robertson Cup title in 2010.

Since 2017, the Bismarck Larks, a Northwoods League expansion baseball team, have played their home games at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.

Professional

The Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League were formerly based in Bismarck. The Wizards' first season took place in 1995 in the International Basketball Association. They won one title during their International Basketball Association days (1995–2001) and two during their Continental Basketball Association days (2001–2006). They were the 2006–07 champions of the NBA D-League, their first season in the league. The team moved to Santa Cruz, California, in 2012, a year after being purchased by the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association.

Starting with the 2017 season, Bismarck was home to the Bismarck Bucks, a professional indoor football team in the Indoor Football League. Bismarck has been the home of two professional indoor football teams, the Bismarck Blaze and the Bismarck Roughriders, but both left the city soon after they were formed.

Bismarck once had a professional baseball team, the Dakota Rattlers, but the team moved to Minot after several seasons in Bismarck.

Parks and recreation

Bismarck has a large park system and an extensive network of exercise trails. The Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, established in 1927, operates many parks, swimming pools, and several golf courses within the city. The World War I Memorial Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and operated by the recreation district, serves as a community gymnasium and was recognized by a 100 Cities 100 Memorials grant in 2018.

The Parks and Recreation District operates roughly 2300 acre of public parkland. Sertoma Park stretches more than 3 mi along the banks of the Missouri River. Within the park are several miles of biking trails and the Dakota Zoo.

There are five golf courses in Bismarck: four 18-hole courses (Apple Creek Country Club, Hawktree Golf Club, Riverwood Golf Course, and Tom O'Leary Golf Course), and one nine-hole course (Pebble Creek Golf Course).

Hunting and fishing are popular in the area, with hunting seasons for deer, pheasant, and waterfowl. Fishing is a year-round sport on the Missouri River bordering Bismarck, and there are public docks on the river. From north to south, there is a dock at the Port of Bismarck, from which the Lewis and Clark passenger riverboat plies the Missouri; Fox Island Landing, about a half mile southwest of Riverwood Golf Course; and the Bismarck Dock at General Sibley Park, which has a boat ramp and picnic facilities.

In February 2007, Bismarck broke the record for the most snow angels made in one place. A total of 8,962 participants came to the capitol grounds for the event.

Government

Bismarck operates under the city commission style of municipal government. Citizens elect a mayor and four commissioners on an at-large basis for terms of four years, with a limit of three consecutive terms. The commission exercises both legislative and executive powers, with each commissioner exercising oversight over several city departments. The mayor serves as president of the commission and has few powers over and above his fellow commissioners.

The current mayor of Bismarck is Mike Schmitz. The city commission meets every second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Crime

According to the Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2024, there were 210 violent crimes and 1,857 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Of these, the violent crimes consisted of 1 murder, 34 forcible rapes, 46 robberies and 129 aggravated assaults, while 191 burglaries, 1,476 larceny-thefts, 185 motor vehicle thefts and 5 acts of arson defined the property offenses.

From September 2024 to August 2025: 124 aggravated_assault, 0 homicide, 33 rape, 34 robbery, 8 arson, 205 burglary, 1,283 larceny theft, and 132 motor vehicle theft by FBI Crime Data Explorer.

Education

Elementary, middle and high schools

The Bismarck Public Schools system operates sixteen elementary schools, three middle schools (Simle, Wachter, Horizon), three public high schools (Century High, Legacy High School, and Bismarck High) and one alternative high school (South Central High School). The system educates 13,976 students and employs 2,169 people in the School Year of 2023–2024.

Three Bismarck Catholic parishes operate primary schools (kindergarten through eighth grade): St. Mary's Grade School, St. Anne's Grade School, and Cathedral Grade School. St. Mary's Grade School, founded in 1878, is the oldest continuously operating elementary school in North Dakota.

The city has three private high schools: the Catholic St. Mary's Central High School, Shiloh Christian School, operated by Protestants, and Dakota Adventist Academy.

Higher education

There are three colleges and a university in Bismarck. The University of Mary is a four-year university, operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Bismarck State College is a two-year public college, and a member of the North Dakota University System. United Tribes Technical College is a two-year tribal college. Sanford Health, formerly Medcenter One, operates a nursing school that offers a Bachelor of Science in nursing. The campus is just north of the medical center in central Bismarck.

Media

Print

Bismarck is served by the Bismarck Tribune, the city's daily newspaper. Established in 1873, the paper is the city's oldest continuously operating business. The Tribune is the official newspaper of the city of Bismarck, Burleigh County, and the state of North Dakota. The daily newspapers of other major cities in North Dakota are also available at area newsstands.

Television

Bismarck is the center of a television market covering most of western North Dakota and parts of Montana. Five stations are based in Bismarck. The four commercial stations have rebroadcasters in Minot, Williston, and Dickinson. The stations are:

  • KBME (ATSC RF channel 22) – virtual channels 3.1 PBS, 3.2 World, 3.3 Minnesota Channel, 3.4 PBS Kids
  • KFYR (ATSC RF channel 31) – virtual channels 5.1 NBC, 5.2 Fox
  • KXMB (ATSC RF channel 12) – virtual channels 12.1 CBS, 12.2 The CW Plus
  • KBMY (ATSC RF channel 17) – virtual channels 17.1 ABC, 17.3 MyNetworkTV
  • KNDB (ATSC RF channel 26) – virtual channels 26.1 BEK Prime

Bismarck also carries public-access television channels, on cable TV channels 2 and 12.

Radio

Bismarck supports 27 radio stations. Most of the commercial stations are owned by either iHeartMedia or Cumulus Media. Many of the lower-frequency stations are broadcasters of national Christian radio networks. The local stations are:

FM frequencies

  • KBMK 88.3 FM (Contemporary Christian music) K-Love network affiliate
  • K204FG 88.7 FM (Christian) BBN translator
  • KLBF 89.1 FM (Christian) Faith Radio from the University of Northwestern - St Paul
  • KNRI 89.7 FM (Christian rock) Air 1 affiliate
  • KCND 90.5 FM (Public Radio) Prairie Public Radio
  • KXRP 91.3 FM (Christian) Family Radio affiliate
  • KPHA 91.7 FM (Catholic) Real Presence Radio
  • KYYY 92.9 FM (Adult Contemporary) "Mix 92.9"
  • KBEP-LP 93.7 FM (Christian) 3ABN affiliate
  • KQDY 94.5 FM (Country) "KQ 94.5"
  • K237FQ 95.3 FM translator simulcasting KJIT-LP
  • KBYZ 96.5 FM (Classic rock) "The Walleye"
  • KKCT 97.5 FM (Top 40/CHR) "Hot 97-5"
  • KACL 98.7 FM (Classic hits) "Cool 98.7"
  • K259AF 99.7 FM translator simulcasting KFYR-AM
  • KLBE-LP 100.7 FM (Christian rock) "Club Radio"
  • KSSS 101.5 FM (Mainstream Rock) "Rock 101"
  • KUAK-LP 102.5 FM (Community Radio) "Radio Access"
  • KUSB 103.3 FM (Country) "US 103.3"
  • KNDR 104.7 FM (Contemporary Christian music)
  • KKBO 105.9 FM (Country) "Big Rig 105.9"
  • KJIT-LP 106.7 FM (Contemporary Christian music) Radio 74 affiliate
  • KXRV 107.5 FM (Classic Hits) "Mojo 107.5"

AM frequencies

  • KFYR 550 AM (News/Talk/Sports/Oldies/Classic Hits/Top 40/CHR) "K-Fire"
  • KXMR 710 AM (Sports) "ESPN 710"
  • KBMR 1130 AM (Classic country) "Bismarck's original country station"
  • KLXX 1270 AM (Talk)
  • KDKT 1410 AM (Sports) "Fox Sports Radio 1410"
  • WQDL503 1610 AM (Traveler's Information Station), North Dakota Department of Transportation

NOAA Weather Radio station WXL78 broadcasts from Bismarck on 162.475 MHz.

Infrastructure

Health care

Bismarck is a regional center for health care. It has two hospitals: CHI St. Alexius Medical Center (285-bed) and Sanford Health (238-bed). When it opened in 1885, St. Alexius was the first hospital in Dakota Territory and the Catholic facility is the state's oldest health care provider. St. Alexius and Medcenter One have joined forces to form the Bismarck Cancer Center. Medcenter One was founded in 1908 as Bismarck Evangelical Hospital. In 1955, it was renamed Bismarck Hospital. In 1984, it was renamed MedCenter One, and in 2012, it became part of the Sanford Health system.

Transportation

Public transit

Northern Pacific Railway Depot, built in 1901 using the Mission Revival style

The Capital Area Transit System, operated by Bis-Man Transit, began operations in 2004. This public bus system has eleven routes throughout Bismarck and Mandan, Monday-Saturday. Bis-Man Transit also operates a para-transit service for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Bismarck had electric streetcar service from 1904 to 1931.

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.

Aviation

Bismarck Municipal Airport is south of the city. It has the largest passenger volume in western North Dakota and the second highest within the state. The airport is served by United Express, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, and American Eagle. A new $15 million terminal opened in 2005. The previous terminal was built in the mid-1960s and expanded in the mid-1970s. After a windstorm collapsed part of the roof connecting the expanded terminal to the original building, officials decided to demolish the entire complex and build the new terminal.

Rail service

The BNSF Railway runs east–west through the city. The railway was originally integral to the growth of Bismarck and Mandan. Today it is used for freight. Due to restructuring in the railroad industry, there has not been passenger train service to Bismarck station since Amtrak's North Coast Hiawatha service ended in 1979. The closest Amtrak station is in Minot, 106 miles (170 kilometers) north of Bismarck, which is served by the Empire Builder.

Roadways

Two federal highways pass through Bismarck. Interstate 94 runs east–west through the city. The north–south U.S. Route 83 merges in north Bismarck with Interstate 94 and runs east for roughly 25 mi before turning south.

Walking and cycling

BisParks BCycle is a public bikeshare system with four docks situated around the city. Bismarck is not ranked as a walk-friendly community, and is rated bronze for bike-friendliness.

Notable people

· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. · Each entry in this list should have one or more reliable sources cited. · Alphabetical by last name please. · All others will be deleted.

  • Sam Aanestad, dentist and California state legislator
  • David Andahl, businessman and politician
  • Shane Balkowitsch, American wet plate photographer
  • Carmen Berg, Playboy playmate (July 1987)
  • Leslie Bibb, actress
  • Paula Broadwell, a consultant and author and extramarital partner of General David Petraeus
  • John Burke, state Supreme Court Justice, tenth governor of North Dakota, 24th Treasurer of the United States
  • Gary Cederstrom, Major League Baseball umpire
  • Neil Churchill, Bismarck businessman and baseball executive
  • Dale Clausnitzer, Minnesota state legislator and businessman
  • Kent Conrad, U.S. senator
  • Kevin Cramer, U.S. senator (since 2019); former U.S. congressman and North Dakota Public Service Commissioner
  • Ronnie Cramer, artist, filmmaker
  • Britta Curl-Salemme, ice hockey forward for Minnesota Frost
  • Dale DeArmond, printmaker and book illustrator
  • Weston Dressler, Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback
  • Shannon Galpin, activist and adventurer
  • Linnea Glatt, post-modern sculptor and installationist
  • Melissa Grunlan, professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University
  • Todd Hendricks, former professional football player
  • John Hoeven, U.S. senator, (since 2011) 31st Governor of North Dakota (2000–2010)
  • Anne Marie Hochhalter, anti-gun violence activist and Columbine High School massacre victim
  • Clay Jenkinson, Author, Thomas Jefferson scholar
  • Thomas S. Kleppe, former Bismarck mayor, 41st U.S. Secretary of the Interior
  • Brock Lesnar, wrestler and former heavyweight UFC champion
  • Jamalcolm Liggins, professional football player
  • Cara Mund, Miss America 2018
  • Mike Peluso, right wing with the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers
  • Fannie Almara Quain, first woman born in North Dakota to earn a doctor of medicine
  • John Andrew Rea, newspaper editor, helped draft the state constitution
  • Mel Ruder, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist
  • Ed Schafer, 30th Governor of North Dakota, 29th U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
  • Jonathan Twingley, artist, illustrator and novelist
  • Carson Wentz, professional football player for the Kansas City Chiefs

Notes

References

References

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  4. "Zip Code Lookup". [[United States Postal Service.
  5. {{GNIS. 1035934
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  7. "Explore Census Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  8. Kotkin, Joel. (September 3, 2014). "America's Fastest-Growing Small Cities". Forbes.
  9. "Bismarck {{!}} Capital of North Dakota, USA {{!}} Britannica".
  10. "Geology of the Bismarck-Mandan Area". North Dakota Geological Survey.
  11. "Hidatsa Lessons Vocab2". [[Northeastern Illinois University]].
  12. "AISRI Dictionary Database Search-- Arikara. Prototype version".
  13. (1880). "Memoir of Edwin Ferry Johnson : civil engineer". Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co..
  14. "Bismarck City Portrait". City of Bismarck, North Dakota.
  15. Jackson, William. (2024). "North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones". Valley Star Publications.
  16. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau.
  18. "Bismarck, ND Housing Market". [[Zillow]].
  19. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bismarck city, North Dakota".
  20. "General Social and Economic Characteristics: North Dakota". United States Census Bureau.
  21. "North Dakota: 1990". United States Census Bureau.
  22. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bismarck city, North Dakota". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  23. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bismarck city, North Dakota". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  24. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bismarck city, North Dakota". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  25. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau.
  26. "How many people live in Bismarck city, North Dakota". [[USA Today]].
  27. "Total Population". United States Census Bureau.
  28. "Best North Dakota Cities for Families and Singles". RealEstate.com.
  29. (December 31, 2024). "City of Bismarck 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report".
  30. "Local Area Unemployment Statistics – North Dakota". Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  31. "North Dakota County Unemployment Rates". North Dakota Labor Market Information.
  32. "Belle Mehus Auditorium". Bismarck Event Center.
  33. "Capitol Shakespeare :: Home".
  34. "Sleepy Hollow". shst.org.
  35. "Dakota Stage Ltd". shadetreeplayers.com.
  36. "Dakota Stage Ltd". dakotastageltd.com.
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  38. "Home – North Dakota State Library". nd.gov.
  39. (February 12, 2016). "Northwoods League team coming to Bismarck". [[The Bismarck Tribune]].
  40. McCormack, Cheryl. (May 27, 2018). "Local memorial honors WWI veterans, receives designation".
  41. "Bismarck Parks and Recreation District".
  42. Nicholson, Blake. (February 28, 2008). "Detroit radio station hopes to break snow angel record". [[USA Today]].
  43. Svihovec, Travis. (June 14, 2022). "Schmitz easily unseats incumbent Bakken in Bismarck mayor's race". [[The Bismarck Tribune]].
  44. "FBI Crime Data Explorer". FBI Crime Data Explorer.
  45. "Bismarck 1". U.S. News & World Report.
  46. "University of Mary, North Dakota – Affordable Private Catholic College". umary.edu.
  47. "Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery". annunciationmonastery.org.
  48. "Bismarck State College". bismarckstate.edu.
  49. Justin Oleyte. "United Tribes Technical College". uttc.edu.
  50. "Contact Us".
  51. "Welcome to the Bismarck Cancer Center". bismarckcancercenter.com.
  52. "Medcenter One, Sanford Health Complete Merger".
  53. "Bis-Man Transit: Bismarck, ND: Public Transportation & Bus System". Bismarck, ND: Bis-Man Transit.
  54. "Bismarck, ND: Bis-Man Transit - CAT 101".
  55. "North Dakota Bus Stops".
  56. (September 26, 2016). "Walk Friendly communities".
  57. "Bismarck-Mandan report card".
  58. (August 6, 2007). "Roadblock Republicans - calitics".
  59. "Most Recent Obituaries | Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services".
  60. "A Frame in Time: Photography with Shane Balkowitsch".
  61. Owen, Rob. (March 4, 2012). "Four former Richmonders help bring laughter to TV". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  62. Barney, Madison (January 30, 2012) [http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/bismarck-native-profiles-gen-david-petraeus-in-new-book/article_00233308-4b05-11e1-a370-001871e3ce6c.html Bismarck native profiles Gen. David Petraeus in new book.] {{webarchive. link. (November 12, 2012 ''[[Bismarck Tribune]]'')
  63. (February 26, 2012). "Bestsellers February 26, 2012". [[The New York Times]].
  64. Horwitz, Sari. (November 10, 2012). "FBI probe of Petraeus triggered by e-mail threats from biographer, officials say". [[The Washington Post]].
  65. "John Burke". Architect of the Capitol.
  66. Skurzewski, Joe. (February 21, 2020). "Longtime MLB umpire, Minot native Gary Cederstrom to retire".
  67. (2001). "North Dakota Whips Big Leagues".
  68. "Clausnitzer, Dale A. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".
  69. "Kent Conrad".
  70. "U.S. Senate: States in the Senate | North Dakota".
  71. (12 August 2021). "Richard Cramer Obituary". The Denver Post.
  72. (7 October 2025). "Bismarck native Britta Curl-Salemme signs extension with Minnesota Frost". KYFR-TV.
  73. (February 6, 2022). "St. Mary's grad Britta Curl to compete on United States women's hockey team at Winter Olympics in Beijing". [[North Dakota High School Activities Association]].
  74. (November 29, 2006). "Dale DeArmond". Juneau Empire.
  75. "Weston Dressler". University of North Dakota.
  76. (17 April 2017). "Cycling Past an Afghan Taboo". The New York Times.
  77. (December 18, 1994). "Diesz earns NASA prize". The Bismarck Tribune.
  78. "John Hoeven".
  79. (February 18, 2025). "Anne Marie Hochhalter, Paralyzed in Columbine Shooting, Dies at 43". [[The New York Times]].
  80. "Thomas S. Kleppe".
  81. "Brock Lesnar". National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
  82. "Mike Peluso". Sports Reference LLC..
  83. "Changing the Face of Medicine: Fannie Almara Quain". National Library of Medicine.
  84. (20 November 2000). "Mel Ruder: Montana's first Pulitzer winner, dies at 85".
  85. "Ed Schafer". usda.gov.
  86. "Jonathan Twingley".
  87. "Carson Wentz signed with Rams after Jets declined to make offer{{!}} NFL.com".
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