Minot, city, seat of Ward County, northern North Dakota, on the Souris (Mouse) River; settled 1886, incorporated 1887. Minot is a commercial center of an extensive agricultural region where durum wheat is grown. Major manufactures here include processed food, farm equipment, building materials, and plastic products. Vast lignite and petroleum fields are located in the area. Minot is the site of Minot State University (1913). Minot Air Force Base and Upper Souris and J. Clark Salyer national wildlife refuges are nearby. Population 32,843 (1980); 34,544 (1990); 36,567 (2000).
