Ray, North Dakota

Ray is a city in Williams County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 592 at the 2010 census.[5]

Ray, North Dakota
City
Motto(s):  "The Grain Palace City"
Location of Ray, North Dakota
Coordinates: 48°20′42″N 103°9′59″W
Country	United States
State	North Dakota
County	Williams
Area [1]
• Total	1.35 sq mi (3.51 km^2)
• Land	1.32 sq mi (3.41 km^2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.10 km^2)
Elevation	2,274 ft (693 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	592
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	901
• Density	684.65/sq mi (264.42/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	58849
Area code(s)	701
FIPS code	38-65580
GNIS feature ID	1030849[4]
Website	raynd.com

History

Ray was founded in 1902. The city was named in honor of Al G. Ray, a railroad official.[6] A post office has been in operation at Ray since 1902.[7]

Geography

Ray is located at 48°20′42″N 103°9′59″W (48.344875, -103.166292).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.05 square miles (2.72 km²), of which, 1.01 square miles (2.62 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.[9]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	436		—
1920	563		29.1%
1930	621		10.3%
1940	579		−6.8%
1950	721		24.5%
1960	1,049		45.5%
1970	776		−26.0%
1980	766		−1.3%
1990	603		−21.3%
2000	534		−11.4%
2010	592		10.9%
Est. 2019	901	[3]	52.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10] 2018 Estimate[11]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 592 people, 276 households, and 163 families residing in the city. The population density was 586.1 inhabitants per square mile (226.3/km²). There were 301 housing units at an average density of 298.0 per square mile (115.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 2.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 276 households, of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 46.1 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 35% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.2% male and 46.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 534 people, 232 households, and 154 families residing in the city. The population density was 531.5 people per square mile (206.2/km²). There were 296 housing units at an average density of 294.6 per square mile (114.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.06% White, 0.56% Native American, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 232 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,563, and the median income for a family was $41,771. Males had a median income of $34,063 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,064. About 2.6% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Mary Sherman Morgan, inventor of Hydyne, which was combined with liquid oxygen to propel the first US rocket into orbit (1958)

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
6. Federal Writers' Project (1938). North Dakota, a Guide to the Northern Prairie State. WPA. p. 257. ISBN 978-1-62376-033-5.
7. "Williams County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-06-14.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
11. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2019.