Small North Dakota Towns Thrive Despite Population Declines

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This opinion piece highlights how small towns across North Dakota, not just the state's largest cities, are finding creative ways to adapt and thrive despite population declines. The author cites examples like LaMoure, which lost a significant portion of its population but maintained a shopping mall and other businesses, and Hazelton, which passed a bond to build a new school and revitalize its Main Street. The article argues that these small communities deserve just as much attention and support as the state's major urban centers.

Why it matters

This story is important because it shines a light on the resilience and innovation of North Dakota's small towns, which are often overshadowed by the attention given to the state's larger cities. By highlighting how these communities are finding ways to survive and even grow, the article challenges the perception that rural areas are inevitably doomed to decline.

The details

The author uses several specific examples to illustrate how small North Dakota towns are adapting to population changes. In LaMoure, the community maintained a shopping mall and other businesses even as its population declined. In Hazelton, a bond issue to build a new school and revitalize Main Street helped stabilize the town. Meanwhile, Watford City experienced rapid growth and then a sharp decline during the oil boom, but the author argues it remains an economic force in the region. The article also mentions other small towns like Cavalier, Gwinner, and Langdon that are finding unique ways to ensure their communities survive and thrive.

• In the early 1980s, the author spent time in LaMoure, which had a small military presence due to a Coast Guard station and communications tower.
• In 1999, Hazelton passed a bond issue to build a new school, which helped bring regional tournaments to the town's gym and boosted the local economy.
• Around 2000, Watford City had a population of about 1,300 people, but that temporarily grew to around 12,000 during the oil boom before tapering off to about 6,000 today.