New Rockford was founded in 1883 at the time of the arrival of the Great Northern Railway into the area. In 1915, residents mounted a challenge to have the state capital relocated from Bismarck, North Dakota to New Rockford. This was not passed and defeated, leaving Bismarck the state capital of North Dakota.
Geography
New Rockford is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which, is land and is water. New Rockford's zip code is 58356.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,391 people, 628 households, and 363 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 750 housing units at an average density of. The racial makup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.1% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9%. Of the 628 households 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couplesliving together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 38.4% of households were one person and 22% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 50.2 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.3% were from 25 to 44; 28.8% were from 45 to 64; and 27.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.2% male and 53.8% female.
At the 2000 census, there were 1,463 people, 651 households, and 378 families living in the city. The population density was 970.7 people per square mile. There were 778 housing units at an average density of 516.2 per square mile. The racial makup of the city was 98.02% White, 0.14% African American, 1.50% Native American, 0.14% from other races, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population. Of the 651 households 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 39.3% of households were one person and 24.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84. The age distribution was 20.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 29.7% 65 or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males. The median household income was $28,042 and the median family income was $43,438. Males had a median income of $26,080 versus $19,219 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,444. About 6.2% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
