County · North Dakota
Rolette County, North Dakota
Rolette County, North Dakota. Rolette County had 11,688 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. It holds 12 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 3 towns and townships and 4 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 38079.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,688
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,187 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,924
Median household income
$59,517
±$9,283 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$103,800
±$15,184 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$505
±$93 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Rolette County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,187 residents in Rolette County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,688 for July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,924 over 903 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rolette County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,924 | 784,841 | −2,587 |
| Households | 3,769±110 | 331,063 | −839 |
| Average household size | 3.13±0.09 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,588±20 | 377,281 | −994 |
Rolette County's population since 2000
From 13,674 in 2000 to 11,688 in 2025: down 14.5%. 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 Rolette County?
Rolette County holds 12 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 3 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Belcourt with 1,547 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Belcourt | 1,510 | $90,568 |
|---|---|---|
| Rolla | 1,223 | $49,219 |
| Shell Valley | 1,146 | $46,786 |
| DunseithGEOID 3821020 | 632 | $51,449 |
| Green AcresGEOID 3833050 | 605 | $47,679 |
| East DunseithGEOID 3821520 | 500 | not published |
| Rolette | 484 | $90,536 |
| Shell Valley TownshipGEOID 3807972260 | 376 | $47,143 |
| St. JohnGEOID 3869980 | 322 | $62,750 |
| South Valley TownshipGEOID 3807974340 | 51 | not published |
| MyloGEOID 3855220 | 21 | not published |
| Kohlmeier TownshipGEOID 3807943340 | 20 | 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 Rolette County?
The median resident of Rolette County is 32.5 years old; 32.2% are under 18 and 13.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 75.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 18.2%. 0.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rolette County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.5±0.4 | 35.9 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 32.2%±0.3 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.2%±0.1 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% | 4.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 18.2%±0.2 pts | 81.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 75.5%±1.4 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 | 4.0%±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.8%±1.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7%±0.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 17.8%±2.0 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 22.1%±3.5 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.5%±2.6 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.0%±2.5 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.5 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.3 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 Rolette County earn?
Half of Rolette County's 3,769 households earn less than $59,517 a year (±$9,283), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $53,114 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rolette County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,517±$9,283 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,772±$5,543 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,519±$1,784 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.3%±4.3 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.3%±6.3 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.6%±3.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.8%±2.1 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 Rolette County?
Owners occupy 62.8% of Rolette County's occupied homes and renters 37.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $103,800 by its owner (±$15,184). The median renter pays $505 a month including utilities, and 28.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rolette County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $103,800±$15,184 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $505±$93 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.0%±7.3 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,318±$190 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.8%±4.0 pts | 62.9% | −8.5 pts |
| Housing units | 4,588±20 | 377,281 | −994 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.0%±2.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.3%±3.5 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.7%±3.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2%±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 Rolette County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Rolette County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Rolette County get to work?
75.2% of Rolette County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Rolette County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.0%±3.5 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±1.8 pts | 2.8% | −4.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.2%±3.8 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.2%±3.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±1.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±1.5 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.8 min±1.7 | 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 Rolette County's census tracts?
Rolette County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,365 (Tract 9517) to $72,500 (Tract 9418).
| Tract 941838079941800 | 5,005±26 | $72,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 951638079951600 | 1,299±211 | $57,188 |
| Tract 951738079951700 | 4,231±266 | $53,365 |
| Tract 951938079951900 | 1,389±208 | $67,083 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rolette County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 11th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 44th of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 53 |
| Median household income | 49th of 53 |
| Median home value | 48th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 51st of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52nd of 53 |
| Median age | 49th 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 Rolette 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.