Burke County, ND borders Divide near Bowbells metropolitan centre yielding a 2020 estimated census population standing of 2,162 making it the 13th most populous county located hereabouts. Its county seat is Bowbells though other towns include Portal & Lignite- Bowbells itself corresponds out to Burke's largest city aside from acknowledged country seat. This area had been established from Williams and Renville Counties back in 1910 when local residents petitioned for new administrative boundaries - posthumously named after Thomas Burke North Carolina statesman serving region during period Andrew Johnson .