Napoleon is a city in and the county seat of Logan County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 749 as of the 2020 census, and was estimated at 738 in 2025.
Contents
History
Napoleon was founded in 1886 and named for Napoleon Goodsill, a realtor from Steele who promoted the site. The Logan County Courthouse was built in 1921. Napoleon was incorporated as a village on May 4, 1914 and as a city on March 18, 1947.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.383 square miles (3.58 km2), all land.
Climate
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Napoleon has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.
Demographics
As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 321 estimated households in Napoleon with an average of 2.26 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $68,750. Approximately 16.0% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Napoleon has an estimated 59.5% employment rate, with 23.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 86.9% holding a high school diploma. There were 421 housing units at an average density of 304.41 per square mile (117.53/km2).
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (93.4%), Spanish (2.9%), Indo-European (3.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%).
The median age in the city was 41.8 years.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 749 people, 316 households, and 187 families residing in the city. The population density was 541.58 inhabitants per square mile (209.11/km2). There were 396 housing units at an average density of 286.33 per square mile (110.55/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.26% White, 0.13% African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from some other races and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.60% of the population.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 792 people, 337 households, and 203 families residing in the city. The population density was 564.50 inhabitants per square mile (217.95/km2). There were 401 housing units at an average density of 285.82 per square mile (110.36/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.36% White, 0.13% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from some other races and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.01% of the population.
There were 337 households, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the city was 48.9 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 32.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 857 people, 367 households and 238 families residing in the city. The population density was 616.80 inhabitants per square mile (238.15/km2). There were 420 housing units at an average density of 302.28 per square mile (116.71/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.83% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from some other races and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 367 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.82.
Age distribution was 22.1% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median household income was $28,167, and the median family income was $36,042. Males had a median income of $28,036 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,208. About 5.9% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Napoleon Public School District 2
Napoleon High School
The area is served by the Napoleon Public School District 2. It operates the Napoleon School. In the 2025-26 academic year, the district reported a total of 252 students.
Notable people
Joey Schmidt, accordionist