9th most populous of 53
With 16,658 residents in 2024, Richland County ranks 9th by population among North Dakota's 53 counties and is home to 2.1% of the state's residents.

Richland County has the 12th youngest population in North Dakota (median age 38.0) and the 12th lowest homeownership rate (68.1%).
Richland County is home to 16,658 people (2024 estimate) on 1,436 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 16,658 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 16,321 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 17,946 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −7.2% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | −2 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +51 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 10.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in North Dakota | 9th of 53 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $68,548 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $1.5 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $75,432 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 24.9% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $183,600 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $740/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 38.0 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 6,849 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Comparable indicators for Richland County, North Dakota and the United States.
| Indicator | County | North Dakota | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +0.8% | +2.2% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 10.1 | 12.0 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.0 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 2.9 | 6.1 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 11.6 | 11.5 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $68,548 | $71,749 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $75,432 | $76,657 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 10.8% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 24.9% | 32.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.9% | 4.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $183,600 | $249,900 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $740/month | $954/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 38.0 years | 35.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.1% | 62.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
With 16,658 residents in 2024, Richland County ranks 9th by population among North Dakota's 53 counties and is home to 2.1% of the state's residents.
Its population went from 17,946 in 2000 to 16,658 in 2024, a change of −7.2%, compared with +24.1% for North Dakota as a whole.
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 169 births and 166 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 3.
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 17,946 in 2000. The 2024 figure is 1,288 lower.
Richland County has about 11.6 residents per square mile of land, ranking 9th of 53 counties; North Dakota averages 11.5.
With a median household income of $75,432 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 24th of 53 North Dakota counties; the state median is $76,657.
Its economy produced $1.5 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 13th largest among 53 North Dakota counties.
Real GDP fell 3.4% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).