County · North Dakota
Adams County, North Dakota
Adams County, North Dakota. Adams County had 2,275 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.1% since 2020, in line with North Dakota (+2.6%). It holds 21 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 17 towns and townships) and 1 census tract. GEOID 38001.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,275
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,200 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,145
Median household income
$62,500
±$8,960 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$113,200
±$8,612 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$594
±$124 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Adams County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 2,200 residents in Adams County. The Census Bureau estimates 2,275 for July 1, 2025, up 3.1% since 2020, in line with North Dakota (+2.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 2,145 over 988 square miles of land.
| Measure | Adams County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,145 | 784,841 | −166 |
| Households | 1,030±63 | 331,063 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.01±0.12 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,326±69 | 377,281 | no clear change |
Adams County's population since 2000
From 2,593 in 2000 to 2,275 in 2025: down 12.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Adams County?
Adams County holds 21 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 17 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Hettinger with 1,119 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Hettinger | 1,074 | $62,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Hettinger TownshipGEOID 3800137740 | 168 | $105,938 |
| ReederGEOID 3865900 | 125 | $36,875 |
| Scott TownshipGEOID 3800171380 | 85 | not published |
| Clermont TownshipGEOID 3800114620 | 50 | not published |
| Reeder TownshipGEOID 3800165940 | 49 | $69,688 |
| Wolf Butte TownshipGEOID 3800187140 | 40 | not published |
| Darling Springs TownshipGEOID 3800118100 | 36 | not published |
| Bucyrus TownshipGEOID 3800110340 | 26 | not published |
| Beisigl TownshipGEOID 3800105700 | 26 | not published |
| Taylor Butte TownshipGEOID 3800178220 | 25 | not published |
| Gilstrap TownshipGEOID 3800130340 | 22 | not published |
| South Fork TownshipGEOID 3800174140 | 22 | not published |
| Lightning Creek TownshipGEOID 3800146500 | 21 | not published |
| Duck Creek TownshipGEOID 3800120700 | 20 | not published |
| BucyrusGEOID 3810300 | 18 | $157,750 |
| HaynesGEOID 3836540 | 15 | not published |
| Chandler TownshipGEOID 3800113500 | 14 | not published |
| Orange TownshipGEOID 3800159620 | 11 | not published |
| Cedar TownshipGEOID 3800113100 | 6 | not published |
| Maine TownshipGEOID 3800149780 | 2 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Adams County?
The median resident of Adams County is 46.1 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 26.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.9%. 5.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Adams County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1±7.4 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6%±2.9 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.8%±2.8 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.6%±2.7 pts | 81.7% | −5.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.9%±2.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9%±2.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.4%±2.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.7%±2.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±2.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2%±3.5 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±2.4 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.0%±2.6 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.4%±4.7 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6%±2.5 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±1.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
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 Adams County earn?
Half of Adams County's 1,030 households earn less than $62,500 a year (±$8,960), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $69,757 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Adams County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,500±$8,960 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,649±$8,271 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,860±$3,974 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.8%±3.8 pts | 10.8% | +6.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0%±9.0 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.6%±4.1 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±4.4 pts | 88.7% | – |
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 Adams County?
Owners occupy 71.8% of Adams County's occupied homes and renters 28.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,200 by its owner (±$8,612). The median renter pays $594 a month including utilities, and 20.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Adams County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $113,200±$8,612 | $249,900 | −$35,960 |
| Median gross rent | $594±$124 | $954 | −$149 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 20.0%±11.5 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,315±$274 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8%±5.6 pts | 62.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,326±69 | 377,281 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.8%±9.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.5%±5.1 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.1%±2.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.5%±5.1 pts | 11.5% | – |
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 Adams County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Adams County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Adams County get to work?
81.5% of Adams County's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.2 minutes.
| Measure | Adams County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8%±5.0 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2%±1.8 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 81.5%±5.1 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.2%±2.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±1.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9%±4.5 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.2 min±2.2 | 17.9 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 are Adams County's census tracts?
Adams County is a single census tract.
| Tract 965638001965600 | 2,145 | $62,500 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Adams County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 45th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 7th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 53 |
| Median household income | 45th of 53 |
| Median home value | 46th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 44th of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 7th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 53 |
| Median age | 19th of 53 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Adams County 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' school search.