People gather at Happy Harry’s RibFest in Fargo on June 7, 2024. North Dakota’s population grew to an estimated 796,568 in 2024, with much of the growth concentrated in urban areas including Fargo. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)
North Dakota’s population hit a record high of 796,568 people in July, according to new statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau — indicating another year of steady growth for the state.
The state’s population has increased by roughly 1% since 2023, the data show. North Dakota experienced larger year-over-year population growth than 35 other states.
Population-wise, North Dakota is still the fourth-smallest state in the country.
County estimates published by the North Dakota Department of Commerce indicate the state’s population growth is concentrated in urban centers like Bismarck, Fargo and the Bakken oil region in western North Dakota.
State data indicate that Cass County this year grew to 200,945 people. Burleigh County, meanwhile, was estimated to have a population of 103,107 residents.
Williams and McKenzie counties, located in the Bakken, grew more than other counties between 2023 and 2024. Williams County grew by 1,459 residents, representing a 3.7% population increase, while McKenzie gained 500 residents, representing a 3.5% population increase.
The Census Bureau will release county-level population estimates in the spring. Nigel Haarstad, state demographer, said he expects the county estimates from the Bureau to be very similar to the Department of Commerce’s numbers.
The Department of Commerce anticipates the state’s steady growth to continue in coming years.
In a February report, the North Dakota Department of Commerce estimated that the state would by 2030 reach a population of 831,543. It also projected that the state would grow to 890,424 by 2040, and 957,124 by 2050.
In contrast to other states experiencing an influx of retirees — like Florida and Arizona — the Department of Commerce speculates that North Dakota is seeing mostly working-age adults and children, Haarstad said.
Based on an informal analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, he said that generally, most of North Dakota’s newcomers appear to be migrating from Minnesota, Illinois, South Dakota, Montana and Texas.
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