Ward County’s population estimate of 68,427 is up just eight residents from the July 2003 estimate but down 1,495 residents, or 2.1%, from 2020.

Much of the change indicated in 2024 was naturally occurring as births exceeded deaths by 450 that year. Despite gaining 293 residents through international migration, the county lost 725 residents in domestic migration for a net loss of 432 residents. Since 2020, the county gained 1,835 residents in natural increase but lost 3,359 residents through migration, despite international in-migration of 766 residents.

Minot’s metropolitan area grew from an estimate of 75,896 in 2023 to 75,938 in 2024, indicating the region’s population largely held steady during that period after falling from the July 2020 census estimate of 77,520. The metropolitan area includes Ward, Renville and McHenry counties.

Renville’s population grew slightly in the estimates, from 2,325 to 2,376 residents. McHenry declined from 5,152 to 5,135 residents.

A map shows areas of growth and decline across the United States. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

The metropolitan area includes the city of Minot. Minot’s last census estimate was July 1, 2023, when the population was considered to be 47,373. The Census Bureau expects to provide updated data for cities in May.

Other area counties that saw some growth or stability include Bottineau, Burke, Eddy, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Mountrail and Williams. Area counties where populations continue to slip include Divide, Foster, Pierce, Rolette, Sheridan and Wells.

The Williston micropolitan area, which consists of Williams County, was the third fastest growing micropolitan area in the country by percentage for the year ended July 1, 2024, behind micropolitan areas in Georgia and Florida. Williams County’s 2024 population estimate of 40,763 is up 3.7% from 2023.

Neighboring McKenzie County, which shares in Williams’ oil economy, registered a population estimate of 14,782, up 3.5%. Mountrail County saw stability with a gain of 47 residents, bringing its population estimate to 9,474.

Statewide, the trend of the past several years hasn’t changed. Western counties in or near oil fields, along with counties with larger cities, fared better than more rural areas, many of which continued to lose population in the recent estimates.

Fargo’s estimated metro population of 267,793 is up from the 2023 estimate by 1.2%. It includes Cass County in North Dakota and Clay County in Minnesota.

Encompassing Burleigh, Morton and Oliver counties, Bismarck’s metro area has an estimated population of 139,183, up 1.3%. Grand Forks is estimated to have grown its metro area to 103,636 residents, or 0.5%. It includes Grand Forks County in North Dakota and Polk County in Minnesota.