North Dakota Population Hits Record High Nearing 800,000
North Dakota’s population grew for the fourth consecutive year, reaching a record 799,358 residents as of July 1, 2025, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced the figures this week, noting the state is on the verge of surpassing 800,000 residents for the first time. State Demographer Nigel Haarstad said that milestone has likely already been reached based on current growth trends.
“North Dakota continues to see steady growth and attract new residents as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family,” Armstrong said. “From historic property tax relief and reform to phone-free schools and robust economic development, our state made significant progress this past year to improve quality of life.”
The July 2025 estimate reflects an increase of 2,790 people from the revised 2024 population of 796,568 and a gain of 20,264 residents since the 2020 census.
North Dakota was just 642 people short of the 800,000 mark in the July estimate, Haarstad said.
“At current growth rates, North Dakota likely crossed this milestone in August 2025,” he said.
After a brief population decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the state has recorded growth each year. Births continued to outnumber deaths, and net migration, both domestic and international, remained positive.
The working-age population also grew for the third straight year, reaching 473,249, the highest level since 2020.
North Dakota ranked 14th nationally for per capita population growth, expanding about 50% faster than the national average. Since 2010, the state’s population has increased by nearly 19%.