Ward County, North Dakota

Ward County
Ward County Administration Building
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°13′00″N 101°32′26″W / 48.216686°N 101.540537°W / 48.216686; -101.540537
Country United States
State North Dakota
FoundedApril 14, 1885 (created)
November 23, 1885 (organized)
Named afterMark Ward
SeatMinot
Largest cityMinot
Area
  Total
2,055.980 sq mi (5,324.96 km2)
  Land2,013.029 sq mi (5,213.72 km2)
  Water42.951 sq mi (111.24 km2)  2.09%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
69,919
  Estimate 
(2024)
68,427
  Density33.981/sq mi (13.120/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code701
Congressional districtAt-large
Websiteco.ward.nd.us

Ward County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 69,919, and was estimated to be 68,427 in 2024. making it the fourth-most populous county in North Dakota. The county seat and the largest city is Minot.

Ward County is part of the Minot, North Dakota metropolitan area as comprising all of McHenry, Renville, and Ward Counties.