County · North Dakota
Mercer County, North Dakota
Mercer County, North Dakota. Mercer County had 8,441 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than North Dakota (+2.6%). It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 38057.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,441
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,350 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,337
Median household income
$80,946
±$6,419 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$198,500
±$16,792 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$1,031
±$210 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Mercer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,350 residents in Mercer County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,441 for July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than North Dakota (+2.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,337 over 1,043 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mercer County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,337 | 784,841 | −125 |
| Households | 3,594±173 | 331,063 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.11 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,667±23 | 377,281 | −127 |
Mercer County's population since 2000
From 8,644 in 2000 to 8,441 in 2025: down 2.3%. 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 Mercer County?
Mercer County holds 6 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Beulah with 3,077 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Mercer County?
The median resident of Mercer County is 42.9 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 22.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.9%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mercer County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9±0.8 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4%±0.9 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.5%±0.3 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% | 4.7% | −0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.3%±0.5 pts | 81.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.3%±1.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4%±1.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 11.6%±2.0 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±2.5 pts | 6.5% | −7.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.3%±2.3 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.3%±3.5 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2%±1.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.7%±2.0 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 Mercer County earn?
Half of Mercer County's 3,594 households earn less than $80,946 a year (±$6,419), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $101,140 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $20,194 after inflation. 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mercer County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,946±$6,419 | $76,657 | −$20,194 |
| Mean household income | $96,779±$6,617 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,590±$2,468 | $43,389 | −$6,438 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.7%±3.6 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.3%±8.8 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.7%±1.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6%±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 Mercer County?
Owners occupy 81.1% of Mercer County's occupied homes and renters 18.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $198,500 by its owner (±$16,792). The median renter pays $1,031 a month including utilities, and 51.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mercer County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $198,500±$16,792 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,031±$210 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.0%±18.0 pts | 31.1% | +28.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,675±$155 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.1%±4.8 pts | 62.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,667±23 | 377,281 | −127 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.4%±2.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 23.4%±10.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.3%±3.8 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.4%±2.8 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.7%±2.1 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 Mercer County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Mercer County in 2025 (3 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 Mercer County get to work?
85.5% of Mercer County's workers drive alone and 5.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.5%.
| Measure | Mercer County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±2.8 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5%±1.3 pts | 2.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.5%±4.1 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.1%±1.9 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 4.7%±2.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.2%±2.4 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.6 min±2.5 | 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 Mercer County's census tracts?
Mercer County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $76,304 (Tract 9617) to $84,779 (Tract 9618).
| Tract 961638057961600 | 2,496±263 | $80,402 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 961738057961700 | 3,017±45 | $76,304 |
| Tract 961838057961800 | 2,824±262 | $84,779 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mercer County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 17th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th of 53 |
| Median household income | 13th of 53 |
| Median home value | 17th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd of 53 |
| Median age | 31st 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 Mercer 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.