Population
North Dakota has a population of 785,000 as of 2026, making it the #47 most populous state in the United States.
North Dakota Rankings
Where North Dakota places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
North Dakota Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to North Dakota's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
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One death every — seconds
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| North Dakota Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 785,000 |
| Births per day | 25 |
| Deaths per day | 20 |
| Net migrations per day | 3 |
| Net population change per day | +8 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of North Dakota includes 84.50% White, 3.25% Black or African American, 1.61% Asian, 1.38% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 663,291 | 84.50% |
| Native American | 36,664 | 4.67% |
| Two or more races | 34,653 | 4.41% |
| Black or African American | 25,497 | 3.25% |
| Asian | 12,604 | 1.61% |
| Other race | 10,817 | 1.38% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 1,474 | 0.19% |
North Dakota Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
North Dakota has seen steady population growth over the past decades. The latest census in 2010 recorded a population of 672,591 people living in the state. This was a 4.7% increase from the 2000 census count of 642,200 residents. Though not experiencing any huge population booms, North Dakota maintains a stable stream of new residents. Recent years have seen particular growth in the Western part of the state, likely tied to the oil industry. It will be telling to see if this trend continues when the 2020 census results are published. The population numbers and changes reflect both the economic opportunities drawing people in as well as the harsh winters driving some away.
Economics and Income Statistics
North Dakota's average per capita income is $40,748. Household income levels show a median of $73,959. The poverty rate stands at 10.76%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $100,188 | $128,241 |
| Families | $100,188 | $132,248 |
| Households | $73,959 | — |
| Non Families | $44,337 | $62,959 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in North Dakota
The largest city in North Dakota is Fargo with a population of 125,990.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | 125,990 |
| 2 | Bismarck | 73,622 |
| 3 | Grand Forks | 57,056 |
| 4 | Minot | 48,377 |
| 5 | West Fargo | 38,626 |
| 6 | Williston | 29,160 |
| 7 | Dickinson | 25,679 |
| 8 | Mandan | 24,206 |
| 9 | Jamestown | 15,849 |
| 10 | Wahpeton | 7,766 |
Population by County
North Dakota's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in North Dakota →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to North Dakota
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for North Dakota.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.