City · North Dakota
Cavalier, North Dakota
Cavalier, city, in Pembina County, North Dakota. Cavalier had 1,218 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,246 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,426 (±190). GEOID 3812940.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,218
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,246 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,426 ±190
Median household income
$60,449
±$14,421 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$170,400
±$17,369 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$800
±$212 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
Where is Cavalier and what county is it in?
Cavalier is a city in Pembina County, North Dakota. It covers 0.9 square miles of land, 1,447 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Cavalier, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,218 people lived in Cavalier on July 1, 2025, down 2.9% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020 Census counted 1,246 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,426 (±190).
| Measure | Cavalier | Pembina County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,426 ±190 | 6,727 | +296 |
| Households | 688 ±90 | 2,973 | +131 |
| Average household size | 2.01 ±0.20 | 2.20 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 790 ±94 | 3,503 | no clear change |
Cavalier's population since 2000
From 1,537 in 2000 to 1,218 in 2025: down 20.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Cavalier as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cavalier?
The median resident of Cavalier is 41.5 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 24.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.9%. 5.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cavalier | Pembina County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 ±3.8 | 45.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2% ±4.6 pts | 21.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.1% ±5.6 pts | 25.9% | – |
| Male | 44.2% ±4.6 pts | 53.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% ±2.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.9% ±3.5 pts | 88.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±1.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±1.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.3% ±3.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.5% ±4.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4% ±3.1 pts | 10.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1% ±3.8 pts | 13.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 17.5% ±8.4 pts | 7.0% | +13.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.8% ±2.8 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.9% ±6.1 pts | 24.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.1% ±4.4 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 74.4% ±9.3 pts | 87.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cavalier earn?
Half of Cavalier's 688 households earn less than $60,449 a year (±$14,421), against $68,393 in Pembina County and $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $60,868 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cavalier | Pembina County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,449 ±$14,421 | $68,393 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,958 ±$12,526 | $92,636 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,138 ±$5,875 | $42,318 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.2% ±3.7 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.6% ±8.4 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8% ±7.8 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.4% ±4.6 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.0% ±6.2 pts | 89.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cavalier?
Owners occupy 50.6% of Cavalier's occupied homes and renters 49.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $170,400 by its owner (±$17,369). The median renter pays $800 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Cavalier | Pembina County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $170,400 ±$17,369 | $119,200 | +$39,208 |
| Median gross rent | $800 ±$212 | $684 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 11.8% ±8.1 pts | 27.0% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,313 ±$472 | $1,197 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 50.6% ±10.7 pts | 74.6% | −21.6 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 49.4% ±10.7 pts | 25.4% | – |
| Housing units | 790 ±94 | 3,503 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.8% ±3.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.6% ±8.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.6% ±9.0 pts | 81.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.2% ±5.8 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.8% ±5.0 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.7% ±3.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cavalier building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Cavalier in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 3.1 across North Dakota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cavalier work and get to work?
73.8% of Cavalier's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 11.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.7%.
| Measure | Cavalier | Pembina County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.4% ±6.4 pts | 60.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.7% ±5.3 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.8% ±8.8 pts | 75.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4% ±2.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 5.3% ±4.4 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.7% ±7.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 11.1 min ±2.5 | 17.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Cavalier?
No census tract lies mostly in Cavalier; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9506Pembina County | 2,597 | $61,863 |
| Tract 9502Pembina County | 1,499 | $53,958 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Cavalier) · Census block assignment files
How does Cavalier compare with other places in North Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Cavalier is the 9,539th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 41st-most populous of 355 in North Dakota.
Cavalier ranks 52nd of 64 places in North Dakota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 41st | 355 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 45th | 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th | 67 |
| Median household income | 52nd | 64 |
| Per capita income | 23rd | 67 |
| Median home value | 41st | 59 |
| Median gross rent | 35th | 56 |
| Poverty rate | 41st | 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd | 65 |
| Median age | 16th | 67 |
| Owner-occupied share | 50th | 64 |
| Travel time to work | 56th | 67 |
Cavalier's figures with every place in North Dakota (CSV)
Every place in North Dakota, sortable · Compare Cavalier with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Cavalier?
18 of the 57 figures for Cavalier on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cavalier are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Cavalier.