Though North Dakota’s population has shown no overall change since 1940, housing units have grown substantially. This month’s “Population Bulletin,” published by the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, presents the July 1, 2002 housing unit estimates released from the U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. These current estimates reveal a continuing rise in North Dakota’s established housing trend.

In 1940, housing units totaled 162,881 statewide, compared to 289,677 in
2000. This represents a 78 percent increase over this 6-decade period. Current 2002 estimates suggest another 1.5 percent growth during the 2000-2002 period. The largest increase occurred during the decade of the 70s when housing units grew 27 percent in North Dakota. The number of units increased from 204,235 to 258,772.

“The apparent contradiction between stable population over the past six decades and a substantial increase in housing is due largely to changes in household composition,” said Richard Rathge, director of the State Data Center. In 1940, the average household size was 4.2 relative to 2.4 persons today.

In addition, in 1940, only 7.9 percent of households had one person compared to 29.3 percent today. “This reflects both a growing elderly population, many of whom are women living by themselves, and young adults living by themselves,” said Rathge. Larger metropolitan areas within North Dakota account for much of the housing unit growth.

Approximately 50 percent of all housing growth between 1940 and 2000 took place in Cass and Burleigh counties. Between 2000 and 2002, 78 percent of all growth statewide was attributed to Cass and Burleigh counties.

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