City profile · North Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Grand Forks, ND

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Grand Forks - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

58,882
Residents
$63,838
Median income
$243,300
Median home
$1,089
Median rent (state)

Grand Forks - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Grand Forks lands in the 41st percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
27th
percentile, median rent
20th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Grand Forks, ND

North Dakota's Grand Forks is a small city, with 58,882 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Grand Forks brings in $63,838 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.6%. Grand Forks's housing stock carries a median value of $243,300, and the median resident age is 29.4 years. About 39.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 107 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2640.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Grand Forks's yearly average temperature at 39.8°F with 21.7 inches of precipitation per year and 48.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Dakota scores 89.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,089 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across North Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Grand Forks report an average commute of 13.9 minutes, with 80.3% driving alone and 5.6% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 57.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

58,882 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Dakota

Median Household Income

$63,838 /yr

Poverty 8.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Dakota average

How does Grand Forks compare to other US cities?

Here's how Grand Forks stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at North Dakota, Grand Forks ranks #17 of 21 North Dakota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Grand Forks's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

41stIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Grand Forks's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Grand Forks's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Grand Forks's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Grand Forks's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$243,300 46th percentile more affordable than 46% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Grand Forks $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Grand Forks, ND Grand Forks, ND's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Grand Forks, ND-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Grand Forks, ND median $63,838/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Grand Forks, ND's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Grand Forks, ND. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 39.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
58,882
Median Income
$63,838
Median Home Value
$243,300
Median Age
29.4
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Labor force participation
67.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
39.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2640.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
358.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2282.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
39.8°F
Annual Precipitation
21.7"
Annual Snowfall
48.4"

Schools

Total Schools
16
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
58,000 residents59,000 residents60,000 residents61,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 59,155 residents 60,365 residents ▲ +2.0%
Grand Forks's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
107
housing units authorized
Single-Family
95
detached homes
Multifamily
12
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 143
2020 406
2021 146
2022 100
2023 92
2024 107

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.9 minutes
Drive Alone
80.3%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
3.7%
Work from Home
5.6%
Other
1.7%

Based on 32,736 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Dakota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Grand Forks sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,089/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
57.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Dakota

Minot
47,922 people
Bismarck
74,146 people
West Fargo
39,325 people
Williston
27,964 people
Dickinson
25,216 people
Mandan
24,293 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Grand Forks's 58,882 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cupertino, CA
58,886 people
Wylie, TX
58,991 people
Taylorsville, UT
59,010 people
Casper, WY
58,754 people
Medford, MA
59,062 people
Burlington, NC
58,599 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Grand Forks's $63,838 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Speculator, NY
$63,839 median income
Eugene, OR
$63,836 median income
James, NC
$63,835 median income
Westhaven-Moonstone, CA
$63,843 median income
Paw Paw, IL
$63,833 median income
Pompano Beach, FL
$63,832 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Grand Forks, ND Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Grand Forks, ND - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.4% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.3% White 82.4% Black or African American 4.2% Asian 3.2% American Indian 2.1% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 6.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Grand Forks compares to nearby North Dakota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Grand Forks (this city) 58,882 $63,838
Minot 47,922 $77,431
Bismarck 74,146 $77,608
West Fargo 39,325 $96,877
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ND FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Grand Forks, ND?

What is the population of Grand Forks, ND? +

58,882 people live in Grand Forks, ND according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Grand Forks, ND? +

In Grand Forks, the typical household earns $63,838 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Grand Forks? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Grand Forks; the closest available measure is the North Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 89.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Grand Forks, ND safe? +

Grand Forks has a total crime rate of 2640.8 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Grand Forks, ND? +

Homes in Grand Forks carry a median value of $243,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Grand Forks? +

The average annual temperature in Grand Forks runs 39.8°F, 21.7 inches of precipitation, and 48.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.