State
North Dakota
North Dakota. North Dakota had 799,358 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020, slower than the United States (+3.1%). 1,707 places (355 incorporated, 1,301 towns and townships and 51 census-designated) in 53 counties; 68,994 square miles of land.
Residents, 2025 estimate
799,358
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 779,094
Median household income
$76,657
±$1,163 (90% margin)
Median home value
$249,900
±$2,909 (90% margin)
Median gross rent
$954
±$11 (90% margin)
How many people live in North Dakota?
The 2020 Census counted 779,094 residents in North Dakota. The Census Bureau estimates 799,358 for July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, slower than the United States (+3.1%). 80.5% of residents live in an incorporated place or a census-designated place (a city, village, borough or CDP); in the counties organized into townships, 1,301 townships are also local governments, and many of those places lie inside one.
North Dakota is the 47th-most populous of the 50 states by the July 2025 estimates (every state ranked).
| Measure | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 784,841 | +28,124 |
| Households | 331,063 ±1,699 | +12,741 |
| Average household size | 2.28 ±0.01 | −0.02 |
| Housing units | 377,281 ±282 | +4,218 |
North Dakota's population since 2000
From 642,200 in 2000 to 799,358 in 2025: up 24.5%. 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; 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What are the largest cities in North Dakota?
Fargo is North Dakota's largest place with 136,275 residents in 2025, followed by Bismarck (77,963 residents in 2025) and Grand Forks (60,365 residents in 2025).
| Place | Residents | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 136,275 | $66,998 |
| Bismarck | 77,963 | $78,387 |
| Grand Forks | 60,365 | $63,627 |
| Minot | 47,308 | $73,219 |
| West Fargo | 41,175 | $90,665 |
| Williston | 29,522 | $79,381 |
| Dickinson | 25,870 | $82,696 |
| Mandan | 25,061 | $71,780 |
| Jamestown | 15,688 | $56,554 |
| Wahpeton | 8,141 | $62,750 |
| Devils Lake | 7,333 | $43,220 |
| Horace | 7,001 | $138,578 |
| Valley City | 6,430 | $60,339 |
| Watford City | 6,378 | $102,260 |
| Minot AFB | 4,878 | $62,500 |
| Lincoln | 4,493 | $87,652 |
| Hay Creek Township | 4,380 | $160,553 |
| Grafton | 4,023 | $62,679 |
| Apple Creek Township | 3,515 | $156,615 |
| Beulah | 3,077 | $76,848 |
| Gibbs Township | 2,856 | $155,688 |
| New Town | 2,715 | $52,500 |
| Tatman Township | 2,673 | $61,216 |
| Casselton | 2,485 | $73,259 |
| Rugby | 2,412 | $50,365 |
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025); American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Census population estimates
What counties are in North Dakota?
North Dakota has 53 counties. Cass County is the largest with 201,794 residents in 2025; Slope County is the smallest with 628.
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025), U.S. Census Bureau · Census population estimates
Who lives in North Dakota?
The median resident of North Dakota is 35.9 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.7%. 4.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9 ±0.2 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 23.5% ±0.1 pts | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.5% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% ±0.1 pts | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.7% ±0.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±0.1 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±0.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7% ±0.2 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.7% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1% ±0.2 pts | – |
| With a disability | 12.0% ±0.3 pts | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5% ±0.3 pts | −0.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.0% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.7% ±0.5 pts | +2.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.7% ±0.4 pts | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.2% ±0.3 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in North Dakota earn?
Half of North Dakota's 331,063 households earn less than $76,657 a year (±$1,163). In 2015-2019 the median was $79,865 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,208 after inflation. 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $76,657 ±$1,163 | −$3,208 |
| Mean household income | $101,793 ±$1,529 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,389 ±$579 | −$992 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.8% ±0.4 pts | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.1% ±0.9 pts | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.6% ±0.4 pts | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.7% ±0.4 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in North Dakota?
Owners occupy 62.9% of North Dakota's occupied homes and renters 37.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $249,900 by its owner (±$2,909). The median renter pays $954 a month including utilities, and 31.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $249,900 ±$2,909 | +$11,268 |
| Median gross rent | $954 ±$11 | −$63 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.1% ±1.3 pts | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,762 ±$22 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.9% ±0.6 pts | no clear change |
| Housing units | 377,281 ±282 | +4,218 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3% ±0.6 pts | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.7% ±0.6 pts | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.6% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5% ±0.3 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is North Dakota building?
Builders took permits for 2,440 new housing units in North Dakota in 2025 (1,761 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files summed by state, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in North Dakota get to work?
77.9% of North Dakota's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.8%.
| Measure | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.6% ±0.4 pts | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8% ±0.2 pts | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.9% ±0.5 pts | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8% ±0.4 pts | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Walked | 3.2% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1% ±0.3 pts | +3.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.9 min ±0.3 | +0.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections