Minot ( ) is a city located in north central
North Dakota,
United States. It is most widely known for the
Air Force base located approximately north of the city. With a population of 40,888 at the
2010 census, Minot is the
fourth largest city in the state. In 2012, the Minot Area Development Corporation estimated that there were between 46,000 and 47,000 permanent residents within city limits. The city is the
county seat of
Ward County and is a trading center for a large portion of northern
North Dakota, southwestern
Manitoba, and southeastern
Saskatchewan. Founded in 1886 during the construction of the
Great Northern Railway, Minot is also known as "Magic City", commemorating its remarkable growth in size over a short time.