Nelson County Welcomes You!
Nelson County is a land of gently rolling wheat fields and boundless recreation opportunities!
Nelson County was founded in the spring of 1883 at the Territorial Legislature in Grand Forks, ND. It is comprised of approximately 982 square miles and is situated in the Northeast part of North Dakota. Surrounding counties are Ramsey, Walsh, Griggs, Benson, Eddy, Steele and Grand Forks. Census figures from the US Census Bureau state that the current population of Nelson County is 3,126 people.
Cities in Nelson County include: Aneta, Lakota, McVille, Michigan, Pekin, Petersburg and Tolna. There are also several Town Sites and Villages in the County including: Dahlen, Kloten, Mapes, and Whitman. These communities were formed when the Burlington Northern and Sioux Railroads became established in the County. Lakota is the Official County Seat of Nelson County.
Nelson County relies heavily on the agricultural industry. Spring wheat and soybeans are the most popular produced products in the area, but other crops such as canola, corn and edible beans are also grown. The livestock industry is also quite integral in the economy of the County.
For recreation, Nelson County has ample opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast! Stump Lake is a local attraction for fishing and hunting along with other areas such as Lake Laretta, McVille Dam, Tolna Dam and Whitman Dam.