Adams County Overview
Adams County is located in the southwestern part of North Dakota, nestled in the rugged terrain of the Great Plains. Established in 1907, the county was named after John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. The county shares borders with Bowman County to the west, Hettinger County to the north, Grant County to the northeast, and Slope County to the south. It also borders South Dakota to the south, making it a key part of North Dakota’s southern boundary.
Adams County is one of the least populated counties in the state, with a population of around 2,200 residents. Its economy is predominantly based on agriculture, with wheat, barley, and cattle being the primary products. The county seat, Hettinger, serves as the administrative and economic hub, offering various services for the surrounding rural communities.
- County Seat: Hettinger
- Number of Cities and Towns: 6
- Major School Districts: Hettinger Public School District, Mott-Regent School District
Hettinger
Hettinger Overview
Hettinger, the county seat of Adams County, is situated in the southern part of the county, near the South Dakota border. Founded in 1907, the town grew rapidly due to its location on the Milwaukee Railroad line, which served as a crucial transportation link for settlers and goods. Today, Hettinger is a small but vibrant town known for its agricultural roots and strong community spirit. The town is surrounded by rolling plains and farmland, with access to scenic areas such as Mirror Lake and the Cedar River National Grassland nearby.
The climate in Hettinger is semi-arid, with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. The town’s notable landmarks include the Dakota Buttes Museum, which showcases the history of the region, and the Adams County Courthouse, a historical building located in the heart of the town.
- Population: 1,123
- Population Density: 760 people per square mile
- ZIP Codes: 58639
- Road Network: U.S. Highway 12, North Dakota Highway 8
- Nearest Airports: Hettinger Municipal Airport, Bismarck Airport (150 miles)
- Libraries: Adams County Library
- Hospitals: West River Regional Medical Center
Schools in Hettinger
Hettinger is part of the Hettinger Public School District. Hettinger Public School (PreK-12) serves approximately 350 students across all grade levels. The school provides a comprehensive education, with strong academic programs, extracurricular activities, and athletics. Students in Hettinger benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention, with a curriculum that includes advanced placement courses, vocational training, and access to community-based learning opportunities. The school district is known for its strong community support and focus on student success.
Reeder
Reeder Overview
Reeder is a small town located in the northwestern part of Adams County, close to the border with Bowman County. Established in 1907, Reeder developed as a railroad town along the Milwaukee Railroad line, serving as a transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural communities. The town was named after E. O. Reeder, a pioneer settler and landowner in the area. Today, Reeder is a quiet, rural community where agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy.
Reeder experiences a semi-arid climate, with long, cold winters and hot summers. The town is surrounded by open prairie, offering a tranquil setting for residents. Notable landmarks include the Reeder Methodist Church, which has served as a community center for over a century, and several historic grain elevators that reflect the town’s agricultural heritage.
- Population: 162
- Population Density: 125 people per square mile
- ZIP Codes: 58649
- Road Network: U.S. Highway 12, County roads
- Nearest Airports: Hettinger Municipal Airport, Bismarck Airport
- Libraries: Nearest library in Hettinger
- Hospitals: Nearest hospital in Hettinger (West River Regional Medical Center)
Schools in Reeder
Reeder is part of the Hettinger Public School District. Students from Reeder attend Hettinger Public School, which offers education from PreK through 12th grade. The school provides a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs, including sports, arts, and agriculture-related activities. The small class sizes allow for individualized attention, and students benefit from the supportive community atmosphere that characterizes the region. The school district emphasizes a balanced education that prepares students for both higher education and vocational opportunities.
Bucyrus
Bucyrus Overview
Bucyrus is a small, unincorporated community located in the southwestern part of Adams County, near the South Dakota border. Founded in the early 20th century, Bucyrus was once a bustling town with a thriving agricultural economy. Although the town’s population has dwindled over the years, it remains a close-knit community with a focus on farming and ranching.
The weather in Bucyrus is typical of the northern Great Plains, with cold winters and hot, dry summers. Bucyrus is surrounded by wide-open prairies, offering residents and visitors a peaceful rural environment. While the town is small, its rich history and connection to the region’s agricultural heritage are important to the community’s identity.
- Population: 27
- Population Density: 20 people per square mile
- ZIP Codes: 58622
- Road Network: County roads
- Nearest Airports: Hettinger Municipal Airport
- Libraries: Nearest library in Hettinger
- Hospitals: Nearest hospital in Hettinger (West River Regional Medical Center)
Schools in Bucyrus
Bucyrus is also part of the Hettinger Public School District. Students from Bucyrus attend Hettinger Public School, which provides education for grades PreK-12. The school offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes both core academic subjects and extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and agriculture. The small class sizes and strong community ties help ensure that students receive personalized attention and are well-prepared for future success, whether in higher education or vocational fields.
Haley
Haley Overview
Haley is an unincorporated community located in the southern part of Adams County, near the North Dakota-South Dakota border. Originally established in the early 20th century as a small farming and ranching settlement, Haley has remained a sparsely populated, rural community. Its location near the Cedar River provides opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and hiking, while the surrounding landscape is dominated by farmlands and open prairie.
Haley experiences a semi-arid climate, with cold winters and warm, dry summers. The town is a quiet, rural escape, with a small population that remains closely connected to the agricultural lifestyle.
- Population: 18
- Population Density: 15 people per square mile
- ZIP Codes: 58622
- Road Network: County roads, North Dakota Highway 8
- Nearest Airports: Hettinger Municipal Airport
- Libraries: Nearest library in Hettinger
- Hospitals: Nearest hospital in Hettinger (West River Regional Medical Center)
Schools in Haley
Students in Haley attend Hettinger Public School as part of the Hettinger Public School District. The school serves approximately 350 students from PreK through 12th grade and offers a comprehensive education with a focus on both academics and extracurriculars. With small class sizes and personalized instruction, students in Haley benefit from the supportive learning environment. The school district emphasizes community involvement and provides opportunities for students to engage in activities such as sports, music, and agriculture-related programs.
Haynes
Haynes Overview
Haynes is a small, rural town located in the northeastern part of Adams County, near the Hettinger County border. Established in 1907, Haynes was originally a railroad town on the Milwaukee Road line. Although the town has significantly reduced in size over the years, it still retains its agricultural roots and offers a quiet, rural lifestyle. The town is surrounded by farmland and prairie, making it an ideal location for farming and ranching activities.
Haynes has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The town’s historical landmarks include several old farmhouses and structures that reflect the town’s early 20th-century origins.
- Population: 15
- Population Density: 10 people per square mile
- ZIP Codes: 58639
- Road Network: County roads, U.S. Highway 12
- Nearest Airports: Hettinger Municipal Airport
- Libraries: Nearest library in Hettinger
- Hospitals: Nearest hospital in Hettinger (West River Regional Medical Center)
Schools in Haynes
Haynes is part of the Hettinger Public School District. Students attend Hettinger Public School, which offers education for grades PreK-12. The school district provides a range of academic and extracurricular programs, including athletics, arts, and vocational training. With small class sizes, students from Haynes receive personalized attention, and the community-driven environment ensures that students are well-supported both academically and socially.
Petrel
Petrel Overview
Petrel is an unincorporated community located near the South Dakota border in southern Adams County. Once a small farming settlement, Petrel is now mostly rural, with very few residents and a strong focus on agriculture. The town’s remote location provides a peaceful, quiet environment for those living in the area, with wide expanses of farmland and prairie stretching in all directions.
The weather in Petrel is consistent with the regional climate of cold winters and hot, dry summers. The town is sparsely populated, and most of its residents are involved in farming and ranching activities.
- Population: 12
- Population Density: 8 people per square mile
- ZIP Codes: 58622
- Road Network: County roads
- Nearest Airports: Hettinger Municipal Airport
- Libraries: Nearest library in Hettinger
- Hospitals: Nearest hospital in Hettinger (West River Regional Medical Center)
Schools in Petrel
Students in Petrel attend Hettinger Public School as part of the Hettinger Public School District. The school provides education for PreK through 12th grade, serving students from surrounding rural communities. With a strong focus on both academic and extracurricular development, the school offers students the chance to engage in a variety of activities, from sports to arts programs. The small student population ensures that each student receives individualized instruction and support from teachers and staff.