County · North Dakota
Pierce County, North Dakota
Pierce County, North Dakota. Pierce County had 3,838 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.0% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. It holds 21 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 15 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 38069.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,838
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,990 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,928
Median household income
$59,365
±$8,413 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$147,300
±$19,792 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$850
±$20 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Pierce County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,990 residents in Pierce County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,838 for July 1, 2025, down 4.0% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,928 over 1,018 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pierce County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,928 | 784,841 | −198 |
| Households | 1,854±124 | 331,063 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.04±0.13 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,042±128 | 377,281 | −226 |
Pierce County's population since 2000
From 4,675 in 2000 to 3,838 in 2025: down 17.9%. 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 Pierce County?
Pierce County holds 21 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 15 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Rugby with 2,412 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Rugby | 2,509 | $50,365 |
|---|---|---|
| Meyer TownshipGEOID 3806952580 | 84 | $141,319 |
| Hagel TownshipGEOID 3806934140 | 77 | $85,509 |
| Ness TownshipGEOID 3806955900 | 72 | not published |
| Tuscarora TownshipGEOID 3806980100 | 69 | $149,375 |
| BaltaGEOID 3804580 | 66 | $33,125 |
| Torgerson TownshipGEOID 3806979220 | 63 | not published |
| Reno Valley TownshipGEOID 3806966060 | 59 | not published |
| Elverum TownshipGEOID 3806923940 | 45 | not published |
| WolfordGEOID 3887180 | 43 | $43,750 |
| Alexanter TownshipGEOID 3806901320 | 41 | not published |
| Truman TownshipGEOID 3806979780 | 41 | not published |
| SelzGEOID 3871700 | 40 | not published |
| Rush Lake TownshipGEOID 3806968980 | 40 | not published |
| Elling TownshipGEOID 3806923300 | 38 | not published |
| Jefferson TownshipGEOID 3806940700 | 34 | $150,114 |
| White TownshipGEOID 3806985460 | 30 | not published |
| Antelope Lake TownshipGEOID 3806902620 | 22 | not published |
| Balta TownshipGEOID 3806904620 | 19 | not published |
| BartonGEOID 3805220 | 13 | not published |
| OrrinGEOID 3859820 | 7 | 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 Pierce County?
The median resident of Pierce County is 45.1 years old; 20.9% are under 18 and 26.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.8%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 4.3%.
| Measure | Pierce County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1±4.4 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.9%±2.8 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.4%±2.1 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.8%±3.0 pts | 81.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 4.3%±2.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9%±2.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±1.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±2.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 9.0%±2.2 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±2.9 pts | 6.5% | +4.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±2.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.2%±4.2 pts | 32.7% | +7.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3%±2.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.6 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 Pierce County earn?
Half of Pierce County's 1,854 households earn less than $59,365 a year (±$8,413), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $68,500 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pierce County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,365±$8,413 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,923±$9,007 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,898±$4,669 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.8%±3.4 pts | 10.8% | −5.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.1%±7.7 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.2%±2.8 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1%±2.8 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 Pierce County?
Owners occupy 81.6% of Pierce County's occupied homes and renters 18.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $147,300 by its owner (±$19,792). The median renter pays $850 a month including utilities, and 39.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pierce County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $147,300±$19,792 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $850±$20 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.2%±19.2 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,252±$247 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.6%±4.8 pts | 62.9% | +8.0 pts |
| Housing units | 2,042±128 | 377,281 | −226 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±7.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.3%±3.7 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.2%±1.6 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.5%±5.0 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 Pierce County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Pierce County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.5 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 Pierce County get to work?
81.2% of Pierce County's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 11.3 minutes.
| Measure | Pierce County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.5%±3.6 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 81.2%±5.1 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0%±3.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±2.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2%±4.0 pts | 8.1% | +5.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 11.3 min±2.1 | 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 Pierce County's census tracts?
Pierce County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,343 (Tract 9562) to $59,688 (Tract 9561).
| Tract 956138069956100 | 1,290±157 | $59,688 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 956238069956200 | 2,638±157 | $59,343 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pierce County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 27th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 53 |
| Median household income | 50th of 53 |
| Median home value | 32nd of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 24th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 53 |
| Median age | 22nd 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 Pierce 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.