County · North Dakota
Golden Valley County, North Dakota
Golden Valley County, North Dakota. Golden Valley County had 1,808 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than North Dakota (+2.6%). It holds 13 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 towns and townships) and 1 census tract. GEOID 38033.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,808
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,736 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,653 ±109
Median household income
$68,021
±$13,794 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$123,900
±$20,277 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$638
±$370 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Golden Valley County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 1,736 residents in Golden Valley County. The Census Bureau estimates 1,808 for July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than North Dakota (+2.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 1,653 over 1,001 square miles of land.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,653±109 | 784,841 | −192 |
| Households | 699±60 | 331,063 | −143 |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.17 | 2.28 | +0.27 |
| Housing units | 902±55 | 377,281 | −143 |
Golden Valley County's population since 2000
From 1,924 in 2000 to 1,808 in 2025: down 6.0%. 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 Golden Valley County?
Golden Valley County holds 13 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Beach with 994 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Beach | 981 | $62,560 |
|---|---|---|
| Beach TownshipGEOID 3803305460 | 154 | $100,882 |
| Lone Tree TownshipGEOID 3803347700 | 146 | $76,250 |
| GolvaGEOID 3831420 | 84 | $48,929 |
| Sentinel TownshipGEOID 3803371740 | 65 | not published |
| Sentinel ButteGEOID 3871780 | 61 | $51,250 |
| Saddle Butte TownshipGEOID 3803369580 | 41 | not published |
| Delhi TownshipGEOID 3803318900 | 33 | $223,088 |
| Bullion TownshipGEOID 3803310660 | 28 | $105,417 |
| Henry TownshipGEOID 3803337340 | 14 | not published |
| Garner TownshipGEOID 3803329340 | 12 | not published |
| Pearl TownshipGEOID 3803361340 | 11 | not published |
| Elk Creek TownshipGEOID 3803323100 | 6 | 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 Golden Valley County?
The median resident of Golden Valley County is 47.2 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 29.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 7.0%.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.2±4.7 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±2.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.0%±3.4 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.7%±2.5 pts | 81.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.0%±1.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±1.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.0%±1.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±2.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6%±4.4 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.2%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | −6.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.4%±2.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.6%±4.9 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.4%±2.7 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±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 Golden Valley County earn?
Half of Golden Valley County's 699 households earn less than $68,021 a year (±$13,794), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $72,229 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,021±$13,794 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,719±$9,441 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,649±$3,845 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.8%±5.9 pts | 10.8% | +12.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 44.7%±12.1 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.3%±7.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.8%±4.7 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 Golden Valley County?
Owners occupy 79.5% of Golden Valley County's occupied homes and renters 20.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $123,900 by its owner (±$20,277). The median renter pays $638 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $123,900±$20,277 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $638±$370 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 9.0%±10.7 pts | 31.1% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,347±$120 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.5%±6.0 pts | 62.9% | +9.5 pts |
| Housing units | 902±55 | 377,281 | −143 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.8%±3.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±8.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.5%±4.2 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±2.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 36.8%±6.7 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 Golden Valley County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Golden Valley County in 2025 (2 single-family), 1.1 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 Golden Valley County get to work?
83.0% of Golden Valley County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes.
| Measure | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.0%±5.5 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±3.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 83.0%±5.5 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.8%±2.3 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±3.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 7.9%±3.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min±3.1 | 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 Golden Valley County's census tracts?
Golden Valley County is a single census tract.
| Tract 962938033962900 | 1,653±109 | $68,021 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Golden Valley County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 49th of 53 |
| Median household income | 35th of 53 |
| Median home value | 39th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 41st of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th of 53 |
| Median age | 15th 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 Golden Valley 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.