North Dakota Faces Population Decline as 1970s Begin

On this day in 1970, North Dakota entered the new decade grappling with significant challenges, including a declining population and economic uncertainties. A staff writer from the Forum evaluated the state’s prospects, emphasizing the potential for resource development, industrial growth, and modernization, while also highlighting the pressing issues of outdated governance and deep social inequities, particularly on Indian reservations.

Population Concerns and Economic Opportunities

North Dakota’s population had decreased from approximately 650,000 in the mid-1960s to an estimated 615,000 by July 1, 1969, according to the United States Census Bureau. The state faced low farm prices and a trend toward larger farms, which contributed to the decline of small towns. With only 43,000 farms remaining compared to 84,000 in the 1930s, many North Dakotans recognized the need for proactive measures to reverse these trends.

“North Dakota’s environmental setting is advantageous for industrial development,” remarked a prominent Republican figure. The state enjoys vast open spaces and ample water resources, thanks to the Garrison diversion, which is poised to support both irrigation and municipal uses. This could provide a vital boost to North Dakota’s economy, creating a favorable tax climate for new industries.

Despite these opportunities, the state’s leaders pondered the fundamental question: would North Dakotans capitalize on these prospects or prefer to maintain their current lifestyle?

Social and Political Challenges

As North Dakota moved into the 1970s, it grappled with significant social issues, particularly concerning its Native American population. An Indian tribal leader expressed concern about the fragmentation of governmental programs affecting reservations, stating, “With all the various governmental programs under way, you would think that life on the reservation is a utopia. But it isn’t.” The leader emphasized the need for coherent support systems that empower rather than confuse the community.

Emerging from these challenges was the United Tribes Employment Training Center, which opened in Bismarck in 1969. This initiative sought to equip entire families with job skills while simultaneously providing educational support. The tribal leader noted, “It’s about time they start doing their own thinking and stop being a political football.”

In the realm of governance, North Dakota struggled with an outdated Constitution that hindered progress. Leaders across the state expressed concern over the health of the two-party system, particularly the challenges faced by the Democratic Party. Discussions were underway regarding a possible constitutional convention to modernize the state’s legal framework.

An influential legislative voice suggested that the 1970s could bring significant government reorganization aimed at enhanced efficiency. Plans included reducing the number of elected officials from fourteen to a streamlined group of five or six. The potential for intergovernmental cooperation was also on the table, particularly in providing essential services to vulnerable populations.

While North Dakota’s leaders were optimistic about the future, they acknowledged the need for substantial changes to attract and retain a younger population. “If we can operate a state mill and a state bank, it would seem to me that we would be able to operate other state industries,” asserted a labor leader, emphasizing the importance of state involvement in economic development.

As the decade unfolded, North Dakota’s leaders remained hopeful about the economic impact of recreation, driven by winter sports and outdoor activities. Yet the lingering question remained: would residents embrace the opportunities ahead, or would they resist change and cling to the status quo?

North Dakota’s path into the 1970s would ultimately depend on the collective will of its inhabitants to harness their resources and innovate, ensuring a prosperous future for the state and its diverse communities.