County · North Dakota
Richland County, North Dakota
Richland County, North Dakota. Richland County had 16,731 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than North Dakota (+2.6%). It holds 50 places (14 cities, villages and boroughs and 36 towns and townships) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 38077.
Richland County is one of the 2 counties of the Wahpeton, ND-MN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,731
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,529 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,584
Median household income
$75,432
±$4,512 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$183,600
±$10,935 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$740
±$65 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Richland County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,529 residents in Richland County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,731 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than North Dakota (+2.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,584 over 1,436 square miles of land.
| Measure | Richland County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,584 | 784,841 | +330 |
| Households | 6,849±195 | 331,063 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.06 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,530±106 | 377,281 | −207 |
Richland County's population since 2000
From 17,998 in 2000 to 16,731 in 2025: down 7.0%. 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 Richland County?
Richland County holds 50 places: 14 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 36 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Wahpeton with 8,141 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wahpeton | 8,007 | $62,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Hankinson | 921 | $74,643 |
| Lidgerwood | 600 | $49,667 |
| Wyndmere | 454 | $85,625 |
| Center TownshipGEOID 3807713220 | 429 | $126,667 |
| Walcott TownshipGEOID 3807782820 | 351 | $165,781 |
| Fairmount | 343 | $59,375 |
| Dwight TownshipGEOID 3807721260 | 341 | $133,854 |
| Colfax TownshipGEOID 3807715220 | 269 | $81,563 |
| Walcott | 262 | $93,125 |
| Abercrombie TownshipGEOID 3807700140 | 256 | $129,688 |
| AbercrombieGEOID 3800100 | 244 | $64,844 |
| Eagle TownshipGEOID 3807721300 | 227 | $103,333 |
| Brightwood TownshipGEOID 3807709340 | 210 | $75,938 |
| Summit TownshipGEOID 3807776940 | 197 | $90,938 |
| Barrie TownshipGEOID 3807705060 | 178 | $166,563 |
| Mooreton | 177 | $86,250 |
| ColfaxGEOID 3815180 | 172 | $104,375 |
| ChristineGEOID 3814100 | 151 | $94,018 |
| Mooreton TownshipGEOID 3807754260 | 141 | $181,296 |
| Grant TownshipGEOID 3807732620 | 132 | not published |
| Duerr TownshipGEOID 3807720740 | 128 | $78,750 |
| Greendale TownshipGEOID 3807733140 | 126 | $86,875 |
| Ibsen TownshipGEOID 3807739700 | 106 | not published |
| Waldo TownshipGEOID 3807782900 | 106 | $131,667 |
| Wyndmere TownshipGEOID 3807787780 | 104 | not published |
| Danton TownshipGEOID 3807717980 | 102 | not published |
| Brandenburg TownshipGEOID 3807709020 | 101 | $79,688 |
| Devillo TownshipGEOID 3807719380 | 101 | $108,438 |
| Garborg TownshipGEOID 3807729060 | 97 | $139,167 |
| Belford TownshipGEOID 3807705860 | 95 | $189,265 |
| Liberty Grove TownshipGEOID 3807746420 | 94 | not published |
| Helendale TownshipGEOID 3807737140 | 94 | $120,500 |
| Antelope TownshipGEOID 3807702540 | 91 | $108,125 |
| Barney TownshipGEOID 3807704980 | 91 | $107,917 |
| Fairmount TownshipGEOID 3807725340 | 87 | not published |
| Nansen TownshipGEOID 3807755340 | 86 | not published |
| Homestead TownshipGEOID 3807738660 | 85 | $148,333 |
| LaMars TownshipGEOID 3807744500 | 84 | $76,083 |
| Dexter TownshipGEOID 3807719540 | 83 | $100,357 |
| DwightGEOID 3821220 | 80 | $144,583 |
| Elma TownshipGEOID 3807723620 | 80 | $210,486 |
| Viking Township, Richland CountyGEOID 3807782140 | 79 | not published |
| MantadorGEOID 3850380 | 67 | $56,667 |
| Moran TownshipGEOID 3807754340 | 60 | $225,536 |
| West End TownshipGEOID 3807784700 | 51 | not published |
| Sheyenne TownshipGEOID 3807772620 | 50 | $132,679 |
| Freeman TownshipGEOID 3807728500 | 50 | not published |
| Great BendGEOID 3832900 | 49 | $61,750 |
| BarneyGEOID 3804940 | 40 | $51,250 |
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 Richland County?
The median resident of Richland County is 38.0 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.8%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Richland County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0±0.9 | 35.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.7%±0.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2%±0.3 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 4.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.8%±0.8 pts | 81.7% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.8%±0.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7%±1.4 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7%±1.8 pts | 6.5% | +3.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±1.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.9%±2.4 pts | 32.7% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9%±1.2 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 Richland County earn?
Half of Richland County's 6,849 households earn less than $75,432 a year (±$4,512), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $75,529 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Richland County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,432±$4,512 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,435±$5,426 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,975±$2,214 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.7%±1.9 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.8%±3.2 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.2%±1.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.4%±1.7 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 Richland County?
Owners occupy 68.1% of Richland County's occupied homes and renters 31.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,600 by its owner (±$10,935). The median renter pays $740 a month including utilities, and 25.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Richland County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $183,600±$10,935 | $249,900 | +$26,194 |
| Median gross rent | $740±$65 | $954 | −$77 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.1%±6.8 pts | 31.1% | −10.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,559±$136 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.1%±2.7 pts | 62.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,530±106 | 377,281 | −207 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.7%±2.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.5%±2.6 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.7%±1.0 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.6%±2.2 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 Richland County building?
Builders took permits for 44 new housing units across Richland County in 2025 (44 single-family), 2.6 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 Richland County get to work?
77.3% of Richland County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.7%.
| Measure | Richland County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.3%±1.7 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 2.8% | −1.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.3%±2.8 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5%±1.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 6.5%±2.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±1.8 pts | 8.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min±2.6 | 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 Richland County's census tracts?
Richland County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,678 (Tract 9710) to $108,261 (Tract 9708).
| Tract 970738077970700 | 2,229±213 | $105,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970838077970800 | 2,216±173 | $108,261 |
| Tract 970938077970900 | 4,621±245 | $67,259 |
| Tract 971038077971000 | 3,454±234 | $53,678 |
| Tract 971138077971100 | 1,121±141 | $81,667 |
| Tract 971438077971400 | 2,943±205 | $71,667 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Richland County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 14th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 9th of 53 |
| Median household income | 24th of 53 |
| Median home value | 20th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 31st of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 53 |
| Median age | 42nd 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 Richland 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.