County · North Dakota
McLean County, North Dakota
McLean County, North Dakota. McLean County had 9,740 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.4% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. It holds 41 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs, 28 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 38055.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,740
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,771 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,823
Median household income
$83,583
±$6,887 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$227,100
±$15,589 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$784
±$51 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in McLean County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,771 residents in McLean County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,740 for July 1, 2025, down 0.4% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,823 over 2,110 square miles of land.
| Measure | McLean County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,823 | 784,841 | +239 |
| Households | 4,377±138 | 331,063 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.20±0.07 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,807±32 | 377,281 | −396 |
McLean County's population since 2000
From 9,311 in 2000 to 9,740 in 2025: up 4.6%. 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 McLean County?
McLean County holds 41 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 28 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Garrison with 1,446 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Garrison | 1,462 | $71,974 |
|---|---|---|
| Washburn | 1,300 | $73,413 |
| Underwood | 784 | $85,577 |
| Turtle Lake | 542 | $67,639 |
| Wilton | 718 | $80,000 |
| White Shield | 363 | $68,750 |
| Max | 331 | $80,208 |
| RiverdaleGEOID 3866980 | 223 | $73,333 |
| St. Mary TownshipGEOID 3805570060 | 185 | not published |
| Snow TownshipGEOID 3805573780 | 114 | not published |
| Malcolm TownshipGEOID 3805549860 | 105 | not published |
| Loquemont TownshipGEOID 3805547940 | 101 | $95,278 |
| MercerGEOID 3852340 | 88 | $46,429 |
| Wise TownshipGEOID 3805586940 | 82 | not published |
| Lake Williams Township, McLean CountyGEOID 3805544220 | 73 | not published |
| ButteGEOID 3811180 | 70 | not published |
| BenedictGEOID 3805980 | 68 | $61,791 |
| Victoria TownshipGEOID 3805582060 | 65 | not published |
| Turtle Lake TownshipGEOID 3805579980 | 62 | not published |
| ColeharborGEOID 3815140 | 59 | $78,750 |
| Dogden TownshipGEOID 3805519860 | 47 | not published |
| McGinnis TownshipGEOID 3805549180 | 46 | $177,955 |
| Blackwater TownshipGEOID 3805507500 | 45 | not published |
| Amundsville TownshipGEOID 3805502180 | 45 | not published |
| Deepwater TownshipGEOID 3805518580 | 42 | not published |
| Roseglen TownshipGEOID 3805568260 | 41 | not published |
| Cremerville TownshipGEOID 3805516700 | 40 | not published |
| Mercer TownshipGEOID 3805552380 | 38 | not published |
| Longfellow TownshipGEOID 3805547820 | 37 | $196,250 |
| Horseshoe Valley TownshipGEOID 3805538940 | 37 | not published |
| Otis TownshipGEOID 3805560260 | 36 | $149,688 |
| Andrews TownshipGEOID 3805502340 | 34 | $148,301 |
| Medicine Hill TownshipGEOID 3805551820 | 33 | $141,875 |
| Douglas TownshipGEOID 3805519980 | 32 | not published |
| Greatstone TownshipGEOID 3805532940 | 31 | not published |
| Rosemont TownshipGEOID 3805568420 | 30 | not published |
| Butte TownshipGEOID 3805511220 | 25 | not published |
| Gate TownshipGEOID 3805529660 | 21 | not published |
| Byersville TownshipGEOID 3805511420 | 16 | not published |
| Aurena TownshipGEOID 3805503820 | 9 | not published |
| RusoGEOID 3869140 | 1 | 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 McLean County?
The median resident of McLean County is 47.7 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 26.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.1%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 5.5%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | McLean County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7±0.5 | 35.9 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.1%±0.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.3%±0.2 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 4.7% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.1%±0.2 pts | 81.7% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 5.5%±0.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±0.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | +1.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±0.9 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.1%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 12.2%±1.8 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±1.3 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.1%±2.3 pts | 32.7% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0%±1.0 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.7 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 McLean County earn?
Half of McLean County's 4,377 households earn less than $83,583 a year (±$6,887), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $84,338 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McLean County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,583±$6,887 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,353±$6,456 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,317±$2,785 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9%±1.6 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.1%±3.3 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.8%±1.0 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±2.3 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 McLean County?
Owners occupy 84.2% of McLean County's occupied homes and renters 15.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $227,100 by its owner (±$15,589). The median renter pays $784 a month including utilities, and 14.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McLean County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $227,100±$15,589 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $784±$51 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 14.0%±6.2 pts | 31.1% | −9.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,599±$66 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.2%±2.6 pts | 62.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,807±32 | 377,281 | −396 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.6%±5.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.5%±1.9 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.6%±1.9 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 McLean County building?
Builders took permits for 40 new housing units across McLean County in 2025 (38 single-family), 4.1 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 McLean County get to work?
74.7% of McLean County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.4%.
| Measure | McLean County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.2%±1.9 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 2.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.7%±2.9 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.4%±2.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 4.0%±1.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±1.8 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 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 McLean County's census tracts?
McLean County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $71,000 (Tract 9401) to $89,732 (Tract 9608).
| Tract 940138055940100 | 836±130 | $71,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960838055960800 | 4,319±249 | $89,732 |
| Tract 9610.0138055961001 | 4,668±234 | $79,063 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McLean County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 15th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 20th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 21st of 53 |
| Median household income | 12th of 53 |
| Median home value | 12th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 22nd of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 38th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21st of 53 |
| Median age | 13th 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 McLean 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.