Hillsboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It is the county seat of Traill County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,563.
Hillsboro sits in the fertile Red River Valley. Local agriculture has dominated the area's economy from the beginning. With its location on Interstate 29, halfway between the two metropolitan centers of Greater Grand Forks and Fargo-Moorhead, Hillsboro has seen steady population growth in recent years and has become somewhat of a bedroom community.
Hillsboro is known for having the oldest weekly newspaper in the state, the Hillsboro Banner.
Hillsboro is located at 47°24'14" North, 97°3'38" West (47.403960, -97.060531).
Hillsboro sits on the banks of the Goose River in eastern North Dakota. It is in the center of the fertile Red River Valley. The area around Hillsboro is prime agricultural land. The land in and around the city is very flat.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 km2 (1.1 mi2). 2.8 km2 (1.1 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,563 people, 679 households, and 414 families residing in the city. The population density is 564.0/km2 (1,460.6/mi2). There are 727 housing units at an average density of 262.3/km2 (679.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 94.82% White, 0.19% African American, 2.05% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.11% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 4.93% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 679 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% are married couples living together, 6.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% are non-families. 36.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $33,516, and the median income for a family is $42,357. Males have a median income of $30,607 versus $19,769 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,976. 9.2% of the population and 6.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.4% of those under the age of 18 and 15.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The economy of Hillsboro, like so many other small, rural towns in North Dakota, is heavily dependent on agriculture. When local farmers have a bad harvest, the Hillsboro economy can also suffer. In turn, when the harvest is good, Hillsboro usually prospers. One of the more obvious effects the agricultural community has had on Hillsboro is found at the Crystal Sugar sugar beet plant directly north of town. The large plant, located on U.S. Highway 81, has been responsible for both an increase in population and a steady stream of available jobs during the last few decades that it has been open.
In recent years, Hillsboro has become a bedroom community for the Greater Grand Forks and Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan areas. This has led to an increase in both population and home construction. However, the local business community has, for the most part, not reaped the benefits of the growth. Many Hillsboro residents pass up Hillsboro stores and restaurants in favor of the better selections available in the Grand Forks and Fargo areas. The once bustling downtown area (centered at the intersection of Caledonia Avenue and Main Street) has become filled with empty storefronts.
The area along the Goose River that is now Hillsboro was first settled by German and Norwegian settlers around 1870.
Local folklore tells of the residents of nearby Caledonia, North Dakota turning away a shabby surveyor because of his appearance. This man was then offered hospitality by residents in a tiny settlement west of Caledonia. The man turned out to be railroad baron James J. Hill. Hill was impressed by the kindness showed to him by the residents of this small community and decided to place his Great Northern Railroad there instead of in Caledonia. This was a major blow to the future of Caledonia and a boon for the town that named itself after James J. Hill - Hillsboro.
Source:
HillsboroNorthDakota.com
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