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Dickinson has a distinctive historical identity. A large share of the population descends from Germans from Russia, Germans who lived in the Volga River valley in Russia before migrating to North Dakota in the late nineteenth century in search of land. Surnames such as Schmidt, Wolf, Walter, Heinz, and Kuntz are common, and the influence shows up in dishes like kuchen, fleischkuekle, and knoephla.

The oil boom brought workers from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and other parts of the United States, along with Mexican, Honduran, and Filipino immigrants. Spanish can be heard fairly often in some markets and restaurants. A Native American presence also exists, with members of nearby nations, though smaller than in other cities in the state.

The population is younger than the state average, driven by oil and the university. Families settled in greater numbers after the initial boom, and Dickinson today has a more stable character, with people who came for work and decided to stay and put down roots.

The southern and eastern parts of the city have established neighborhoods with family homes on generous lots. Lincoln Park, Patterson Lake, and the south side are popular with families for their schools and quiet atmosphere. Downtown features older homes with historic character, some with wide front porches typical of the early twentieth century.

Modern apartment complexes built during the boom are located mainly along I-94 and on West Villard Street. Many include heat, a pool, and a gym, serving oil field workers and newly arrived families. New subdivisions in neighborhoods like North Park offer large homes at prices that are low by national standards.

Newcomers typically rent in modern apartments first before buying. Local real estate agencies such as Choice Real Estate dominate the market. American credit history is required for financing, but state programs exist for first-time buyers. A heated garage is a priority in winter, and proper insulation makes a significant difference in the gas bill.

Dickinson State University, founded in 1918, is a small public institution with approximately 1,400 students. It offers undergraduate programs in education, business, health sciences, and rural studies, with particular attention to agriculture and the regional energy sector. In-state tuition is affordable. The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program is a distinctive local offering.

Dickinson Public Schools covers the public system, with Dickinson High School as the main secondary institution. An English as a Second Language program serves immigrant students, with Spanish interpreters available. ESL teachers typically have experience working with Hispanic families who arrived from Texas and Mexico during the oil boom.

For technical education, Dickinson State and TrainND offer certifications in welding, oilfield operations, practical nursing, and administration. Catholic private schools such as Trinity High School and Trinity Junior High maintain a local tradition. For young children, private daycare centers and the Head Start program, aimed at low-income families, are available.

Crime in Dickinson is low by national standards. Most incidents involve retail theft, traffic violations, and domestic disputes. During oil boom phases, alcohol-related incidents on downtown weekends increase, though serious violence remains rare. The police maintain a good relationship with the local community.

Family neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park, Patterson Lake, and the new subdivisions to the south are quiet and suitable for children. Areas near downtown see more activity at night, particularly around bars. The Dickinson Police Department maintains staffing proportional to the city's size and provides support to immigrant and refugee families when needed.

The greatest ongoing hazard is winter weather. Snowstorms, wind-chill temperatures below minus 40 degrees in January, cutting prairie winds, and icy roads require serious preparation. Hypothermia cases occur every year, and those arriving from tropical countries need to invest in a thermal coat, insulated boots, and appropriate gloves before any outdoor activity.

Winters are severe, with lows frequently dropping below -18 degrees Celsius and plains winds that push wind chill values even lower. Snowstorms and blizzards are a regular part of life from November through March.

Summer is short and sunny, with highs between 28 and 32 degrees in July, low humidity, and cool nights. Severe storms with hail occur occasionally.

Residents need robust heating, extreme-winter outerwear, a heated garage, and snow tires. Air conditioning helps in summer, and on the coldest days wind makes face protection a necessity.

The city has two museums worth a stop. The Dakota Dinosaur Museum features twelve full-scale complete skeletons and is a regional reference in paleontology, with specimens recovered from the Hell Creek Formation. The Joachim Regional Museum reconstructs a pioneer village from the early 20th century, with a special focus on German-Russian immigration, the community that shaped much of western North Dakota. The Ukrainian Cultural Institute on West Villard Street preserves Ukrainian traditions through a hall and rotating exhibitions.

Downtown along Villard Street has been revitalized, with restaurants, brewpubs such as Phat Fish Brewing, and the historic Elks Lodge. Dickinson State University, with around 1,400 students, is the region's largest institution and draws NSIC sporting events. The Heart River, which runs through the city, has trails on both banks, and the neighboring Patterson Lake Recreation Area offers fishing, sailing, camping, and a beach during the short warm months.

The region's main draw is Theodore Roosevelt National Park, just 50 kilometers to the west, divided into three units, with Badlands carved by the Little Missouri River, free-roaming bison, wild horses, and the Maltese Cross Cabin where Theodore Roosevelt lived in the late 19th century. The Maah Daah Hey Trail, spanning more than 200 kilometers, crosses the area for mountain biking and hiking. In winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling dominate the scene.