Cities and Towns in Oliver County, North Dakota

Founded in 1885, Oliver County is one of 53 counties in the state of North Dakota. The city of Center is the county seat. With FIPS code of 65, Oliver County has a population of 1,873 and area of 724 square miles (1,875 km²).

List of all cities in Oliver County, ND alphabetically

City/Town	Postal Code	Area Code
Center, ND	58530	701
Fort Clark, ND	58530	701
Hensler, ND	58530	701
Price, ND	58530	701
Sanger, ND	58530	701

Major Cities and Towns in Oliver County, North Dakota

Center

Overview

• Area: Approximately 1.09 square miles
• Population: 1,065 (2020 census)
• ZIP Code: 58530
• Latitude and Longitude: 47.3121° N, 101.3678° W

Location and History

Center is the county seat of Oliver County and is located in the central part of North Dakota, along the banks of the Missouri River. Established in 1883, the town was named “Center” due to its central location in the county. The town grew rapidly following the arrival of the railroad, which facilitated the transport of goods and services to and from the area. Early settlers were primarily farmers and ranchers, drawn to the fertile land along the river. Center’s economy historically revolved around agriculture, including wheat farming and cattle ranching. In the 20th century, the construction of the Garrison Dam and the development of Lake Sakakawea brought new economic opportunities to the region, particularly in tourism and recreation. Despite its small size, Center serves as an administrative and commercial center for the surrounding rural communities.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Center is part of the Center-Stanton School District, which serves the town and nearby rural areas. The district operates Center High School, where students can engage in academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. Key landmarks in Center include the Oliver County Courthouse, an historic building that symbolizes the town’s role as the county seat. The town is also close to Lake Sakakawea, providing access to water-based recreation like fishing, boating, and camping. The nearby Garrison Dam, one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world, is another notable landmark, attracting visitors and providing opportunities for fishing and water sports.

Stanton

Overview

• Area: Approximately 0.47 square miles
• Population: 381 (2020 census)
• ZIP Code: 58571
• Latitude and Longitude: 47.3344° N, 101.4219° W

Location and History

Stanton is a small city located in central Oliver County, about 10 miles south of the Missouri River. Originally founded in the late 1800s, Stanton was named after Edward Stanton, a Union Secretary of War during the Civil War. The town was primarily established as a railroad community and developed as an agricultural center. Stanton was once a key stop for rail traffic in the region, contributing to its growth. The town’s history is marked by its role as a trade and agricultural center, with a population that was largely involved in farming, particularly wheat and livestock. Over the years, Stanton has remained a quiet, rural community with strong ties to agriculture, though the construction of the Garrison Dam and the creation of Lake Sakakawea have impacted the area’s development and economy.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Stanton is served by the Stanton Public School District, which includes a K-12 school that offers a variety of academic and extracurricular programs. The town’s most prominent landmark is the Stanton City Hall, an important building that houses the local government offices. Stanton is also home to the Stanton Heritage Center, which displays artifacts and information about the town’s history and the surrounding area. The town’s proximity to Lake Sakakawea provides ample outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and hiking, with numerous parks and campsites located nearby. The Garrison Dam is another nearby attraction, with its immense size and reservoir offering recreational and scenic vistas.

Pick City

Overview

• Area: Approximately 0.23 square miles
• Population: 60 (2020 census)
• ZIP Code: 58545
• Latitude and Longitude: 47.3753° N, 101.5242° W

Location and History

Pick City is a small community located in the southeastern part of Oliver County, directly on the shore of Lake Sakakawea. It was originally founded in the 1950s as a construction town during the building of the Garrison Dam. Pick City was established to house workers and their families who were involved in the dam’s construction. The town was named after Pick, North Dakota, a nearby location. Following the completion of the Garrison Dam, the town’s population stabilized and remained small. The creation of Lake Sakakawea transformed the region into a popular recreational area, attracting visitors for water sports, fishing, and camping. Today, Pick City serves as a small, seasonal community with a focus on tourism and outdoor recreation, though it retains its historical roots as a work camp from the dam project era.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Pick City is part of the Garrison School District, with students attending schools in the nearby town of Garrison. The main landmarks in Pick City include the Pick City Visitor Center, which provides information on the local area, as well as the nearby Garrison Dam. The dam is one of the most notable features of the area, providing water for irrigation, hydropower, and recreation. Lake Sakakawea is the primary attraction, drawing tourists for fishing, boating, and camping in the surrounding state parks. Pick City also offers easy access to a variety of outdoor recreational activities, with the lake and surrounding landscapes providing scenic views and opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.

Kintyre

Overview

• Area: Approximately 0.10 square miles
• Population: 25 (2020 census)
• ZIP Code: 58549
• Latitude and Longitude: 47.2225° N, 101.1269° W

Location and History

Kintyre is a small unincorporated community located in the southeastern part of Oliver County. The town was founded in the early 1900s, named after Kintyre, Scotland, reflecting the heritage of early settlers from that region. Like many small towns in North Dakota, Kintyre’s development was largely driven by agriculture. Early settlers engaged in farming and ranching, taking advantage of the fertile land along the Missouri River. The construction of the Garrison Dam and the creation of Lake Sakakawea significantly altered the region, although Kintyre has remained a quiet rural community. Over the years, the population has declined, and the town now consists mostly of farmsteads and seasonal residents.

Major Schools and Landmarks

Kintyre falls within the Garrison School District, with students attending schools in nearby Garrison. There are no dedicated schools in Kintyre, but its rural setting provides an ideal environment for families involved in farming and ranching. The town’s main feature is its peaceful, rural atmosphere, with vast farmlands surrounding the community. The region is also known for its natural beauty, with access to the Missouri River and nearby Lake Sakakawea, where residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Though small, Kintyre retains its Scottish heritage and is surrounded by farmland that sustains the local economy.