May 16, 2003

 

North Dakota Population Decline Continues in New Millennium

North Dakota’s population decreased by 1.3 percent between 2000 and 2002. According to the Population Bulletin released from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, as of July 1, 2002, the state’s population totaled 634,110, a decrease of 8,090 people since the 2000 Census.

Between 2000 and 2001, North Dakota’s population declined by 5,650 persons to 636,550. The state’s population dropped another 2,440 persons between 2001 and 2002. "Although the state’s population has been declining since 2000, the pace of loss has slowed markedly during the past year. This was due largely to a reduction in net out-migration which dropped from a net loss of approximately 6,000 residents two years ago to slightly less than 4,000 last year," said Richard Rathge, director of the State Data Center.

Within North Dakota, only four counties showed an increase in population over the past two years. Sioux County had the largest percentage increase in population between 2000 and 2002 (2.7 percent). Burleigh, Cass, and Rolette counties followed with 2.4, 1.6, and 0.9 percent, respectively. Sheridan County had the largest percentage decline during this two-year span (8.7 percent), followed by Nelson County (8.5 percent). Population within North Dakota continues to become centralized. The five most populated counties in the state, including Cass, Burleigh, Grand Forks, Ward, and Morton, represent approximately 54 percent of the total population in North Dakota.

Among all the states in the nation in 2002, North Dakota ranked 48th in population, a slight drop from its 47th position two years ago. Only two states experienced a loss in population between 2000 and 2002, West Virginia and North Dakota. The fastest growing states were Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado (8.8, 6.4 and 4.8 percent, respectively).

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Sources: Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard.rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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