County · North Dakota
Foster County, North Dakota
Foster County, North Dakota. Foster County had 3,212 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.3% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. It holds 22 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 18 towns and townships) and 1 census tract. GEOID 38031.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,212
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,397 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,358
Median household income
$87,831
±$10,924 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$167,500
±$27,475 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$780
±$70 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Foster County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,397 residents in Foster County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,212 for July 1, 2025, down 5.3% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,358 over 634 square miles of land.
| Measure | Foster County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,358 | 784,841 | +98 |
| Households | 1,531±84 | 331,063 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.13±0.12 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,775±29 | 377,281 | −46 |
Foster County's population since 2000
From 3,759 in 2000 to 3,212 in 2025: down 14.6%. 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 Foster County?
Foster County holds 22 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 18 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Carrington with 1,950 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Carrington | 2,080 | $77,171 |
|---|---|---|
| Carrington TownshipGEOID 3803112380 | 224 | $156,667 |
| GlenfieldGEOID 3830660 | 94 | not published |
| Rose Hill Township, Foster CountyGEOID 3803168300 | 89 | $118,929 |
| Birtsell TownshipGEOID 3803107140 | 76 | not published |
| Glenfield TownshipGEOID 3803130700 | 73 | not published |
| Wyard TownshipGEOID 3803187700 | 68 | not published |
| McHenryGEOID 3849260 | 64 | $2,500 or less |
| Larrabee TownshipGEOID 3803145180 | 62 | $77,813 |
| Estabrook TownshipGEOID 3803124900 | 58 | $116,164 |
| Melville TownshipGEOID 3803152100 | 57 | $123,913 |
| Haven TownshipGEOID 3803136260 | 57 | not published |
| McHenry TownshipGEOID 3803149300 | 54 | $97,188 |
| Grace CityGEOID 3831740 | 53 | $71,250 |
| Florance TownshipGEOID 3803126820 | 52 | not published |
| Nordmore TownshipGEOID 3803157380 | 49 | not published |
| Bordulac TownshipGEOID 3803108420 | 38 | not published |
| Longview TownshipGEOID 3803147900 | 36 | not published |
| Bucephalia TownshipGEOID 3803110020 | 36 | $2,500 or less |
| Rolling Prairie TownshipGEOID 3803167900 | 31 | not published |
| McKinnon TownshipGEOID 3803149500 | 24 | not published |
| Eastman TownshipGEOID 3803121700 | 22 | 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 Foster County?
The median resident of Foster County is 43.4 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 24.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.5%.
| Measure | Foster County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4±2.9 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8%±1.3 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.1%±0.8 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7%±1.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.1%±0.6 pts | 81.7% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5%±1.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±1.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±1.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.5%±1.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 10.9%±2.3 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9%±2.0 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2%±2.4 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.5%±5.0 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±2.2 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±1.0 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 Foster County earn?
Half of Foster County's 1,531 households earn less than $87,831 a year (±$10,924), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $75,595 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Foster County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,831±$10,924 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $103,534±$11,278 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,993±$4,884 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8%±2.7 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0%±3.9 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.5%±3.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.6%±3.3 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 Foster County?
Owners occupy 79.7% of Foster County's occupied homes and renters 20.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $167,500 by its owner (±$27,475). The median renter pays $780 a month including utilities, and 51.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Foster County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $167,500±$27,475 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $780±$70 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.5%±16.9 pts | 31.1% | +34.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,196±$100 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.7%±4.6 pts | 62.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,775±29 | 377,281 | −46 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0%±2.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.2%±9.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.4%±4.1 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0%±2.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.2%±3.9 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 Foster County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Foster County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.6 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 Foster County get to work?
79.1% of Foster County's workers drive alone and 7.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 12.9 minutes.
| Measure | Foster County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6%±2.9 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.0%±1.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1%±4.6 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±3.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.7%±3.5 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 12.9 min±1.8 | 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 Foster County's census tracts?
Foster County is a single census tract.
| Tract 959638031959600 | 3,358 | $87,831 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Foster County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 32nd of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 47th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th of 53 |
| Median household income | 5th of 53 |
| Median home value | 24th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 39th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 53 |
| Median age | 27th 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 Foster 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.