Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1870–2024Decennial census and Census Bureau estimates.
Population pyramid
North Dakota's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
153,971 (19.5%)
15 to 64
497,728 (63.0%)
65 and older
137,764 (17.5%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing North Dakota's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 35.7 years | |
| Female | 49.0% | |
| Male | 51.0% | |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | |
| 65 and older | 16.8% | |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 years |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in North Dakota, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 796,000 | 47th in the U.S. |
| Density | 4.4 /km² | 47th in the U.S. |
| Households | 330,000 | |
| Urban population | 63.4% | |
| Growth | +0.6%/yr | 2020–2024 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
North Dakota has the largest share of Norwegian ancestry of any state and a heavily German settler background, plus five federally recognised tribal nations. Hispanic, African-born and Asian communities grew quickly during the oil boom.
| White (non-Hispanic) | 82.6% | |
| Native American | 5.5% | 5th highest share in the U.S. |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4.9% | |
| Black or African American | 3.9% | |
| Asian | 1.9% | |
| Two or more races | 2.9% | |
| Largest ancestries | German, Norwegian, Irish, Swedish | |
| Norwegian ancestry | ≈ 30% | 1st in the U.S. |
| Tribal nations | 5 federally recognised |