RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 53 SHOWN OF 53

Fastest shrinking, North Dakota counties

North Dakota counties with the steepest population decline since the prior decennial census. This list covers the 53 counties in North Dakota that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCities States Metros

RELATEDLargest by population Fastest growing Most densely populated Most sparsely populated Best broadband access Worst broadband access

YEAR2000 2010 2020

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION GROWTHVS 2000

01Rolette County, NDND11,688-12.6%−278%

02Benson County, NDND5,759-10.5%+221%

03McIntosh County, NDND2,451-9.9%−37%

04Steele County, NDND1,797-9.0%+34%

05Pierce County, NDND3,838-8.4%+13%

06Pembina County, NDND6,568-7.7%+9%

07Renville County, NDND2,331-7.6%−56%

08Cavalier County, NDND3,497-7.2%−64%

09Emmons County, NDND3,215-7.0%−32%

10Sioux County, NDND3,667-6.1%−182%

11Adams County, NDND2,275-6.1%−67%

12Logan County, NDND1,859-5.7%−70%

13Dickey County, NDND4,895-5.5%−4%

14Wells County, NDND3,729-5.3%−59%

15Bowman County, NDND2,762-5.0%−49%

16Walsh County, NDND10,179-5.0%−52%

17Griggs County, NDND2,239-4.7%−72%

18Sheridan County, NDND1,296-4.2%−79%

19Grant County, NDND2,206-3.9%−81%

20Towner County, NDND2,040-3.7%−82%

21Nelson County, NDND2,963-3.6%−77%

22Slope County, NDND628-2.9%−81%

23Barnes County, NDND10,573-1.9%−69%

24Kidder County, NDND2,393-1.7%−90%

25Eddy County, NDND2,329-1.6%−76%

26Traill County, NDND7,920-1.5%−51%

27LaMoure County, NDND4,135-1.1%−91%

28McHenry County, NDND5,130-0.9%−89%

29Mercer County, NDND8,441-0.9%−93%

30Bottineau County, NDND6,284-0.8%−93%

31Hettinger County, NDND2,492+0.5%−102%

32Sargent County, NDND3,711+0.9%−121%

33Richland County, NDND16,731+1.3%−254%

34Ramsey County, NDND11,530+1.3%−128%

35Foster County, NDND3,212+1.6%−129%

36Oliver County, NDND1,898+1.7%−113%

37Stutsman County, NDND21,414+2.3%−256%

38Golden Valley County, NDND1,808+3.3%−138%

39Ransom County, NDND5,617+4.5%−961%

40Divide County, NDND2,110+6.0%−128%

41McLean County, NDND9,740+9.0%−182%

42Grand Forks County, NDND74,501+9.4%−246%

43Burke County, NDND2,132+11.8%−147%

44Ward County, NDND68,233+13.4%+786%

45Dunn County, NDND4,058+15.8%−256%

46Billings County, NDND1,071+20.7%−204%

47Burleigh County, NDND103,251+21.1%+37%

48Morton County, NDND34,601+21.2%+213%

49Cass County, NDND201,794+23.2%+18%

50Mountrail County, NDND9,395+27.8%−601%

51Stark County, NDND34,013+39.0%−4648%

52Williams County, NDND41,767+82.8%−1379%

53McKenzie County, NDND15,192+131.2%−1396%

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UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES