City · North Dakota
Wahpeton, North Dakota
Wahpeton, city, in Richland County, North Dakota. Wahpeton had 8,141 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 8,007 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 8,010 (±68). GEOID 3882660.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,141
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,007 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,010 ±68
Median household income
$62,750
±$8,075 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$171,300
±$11,483 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$751
±$66 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
Where is Wahpeton and what county is it in?
Wahpeton is a city in Richland County, North Dakota. It covers 5.4 square miles of land, 1,495 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wahpeton is in the Wahpeton, ND-MN micropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Wahpeton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 8,141 people lived in Wahpeton on July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than North Dakota (+2.6%). The 2020 Census counted 8,007 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 8,010 (±68).
| Measure | Wahpeton | Richland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,010 ±68 | 16,584 | +208 |
| Households | 3,459 ±152 | 6,849 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.91 ±0.08 | 2.21 | −0.12 |
| Housing units | 3,756 ±146 | 7,530 | no clear change |
Wahpeton's population since 2000
From 8,586 in 2000 to 8,141 in 2025: down 5.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton?
The median resident of Wahpeton is 34.7 years old; 14.5% are under 18 and 19.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.9%. 2.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wahpeton | Richland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.7 ±1.8 | 38.0 | +4.7 |
| Under 18 years | 14.5% ±1.6 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.4% ±2.0 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Male | 51.2% ±1.8 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% ±1.5 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.0% ±1.7 pts | 88.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±1.0 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.3% ±0.8 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.3% ±1.2 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8% ±2.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9% ±2.5 pts | 12.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.6% ±3.2 pts | 6.7% | +4.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.3% ±2.2 pts | 94.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.1% ±4.2 pts | 24.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4% ±2.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.7% ±3.9 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.4% ±2.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
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 Wahpeton earn?
Half of Wahpeton's 3,459 households earn less than $62,750 a year (±$8,075), against $75,432 in Richland County and $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $55,566 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wahpeton | Richland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,750 ±$8,075 | $75,432 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,690 ±$6,177 | $99,435 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,490 ±$2,534 | $40,975 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.6% ±4.1 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.2% ±9.5 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4% ±2.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.8% ±2.2 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.1% ±3.0 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 Wahpeton?
Owners occupy 45.4% of Wahpeton's occupied homes and renters 54.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,300 by its owner (±$11,483). The median renter pays $751 a month including utilities, and 26.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wahpeton | Richland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $171,300 ±$11,483 | $183,600 | +$19,555 |
| Median gross rent | $751 ±$66 | $740 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.3% ±7.6 pts | 25.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,348 ±$240 | $1,559 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 45.4% ±4.5 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 54.6% ±4.5 pts | 31.9% | – |
| Housing units | 3,756 ±146 | 7,530 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±2.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±2.8 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.8% ±4.4 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.4% ±1.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 12.6% ±3.8 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.5% ±3.3 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.1% ±3.9 pts | 6.3% | – |
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 Wahpeton building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Wahpeton in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.2 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 Wahpeton work and get to work?
78.1% of Wahpeton's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.6 minutes.
| Measure | Wahpeton | Richland County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.3% ±3.3 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.7% ±1.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1% ±4.8 pts | 77.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.6% ±2.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 7.9% ±3.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8% ±3.1 pts | 8.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.6 min ±4.9 | 21.1 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 Wahpeton?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Wahpeton, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $53,678 (Tract 9710) to $67,259 (Tract 9709).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9709Richland County | 4,621 | $67,259 |
| Tract 9710Richland County | 3,454 | $53,678 |
| Tract 9708Richland County | 2,216 | $108,261 |
| Tract 9711Richland County | 1,121 | $81,667 |
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 Wahpeton) · Census block assignment files
How does Wahpeton compare with other places in North Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wahpeton is the 3,706th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 10th-most populous of 355 in North Dakota.
Wahpeton ranks 47th 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 | 10th | 355 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 17th | 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 15th | 67 |
| Median household income | 47th | 64 |
| Per capita income | 51st | 67 |
| Median home value | 40th | 59 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd | 56 |
| Poverty rate | 9th | 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th | 65 |
| Median age | 40th | 67 |
| Owner-occupied share | 57th | 64 |
| Work from home | 17th | 32 |
| Travel time to work | 24th | 67 |
Wahpeton's figures with every place in North Dakota (CSV)
Every place in North Dakota, sortable · Compare Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton?
6 of the 57 figures for Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton 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 Wahpeton.