RANKING · 2025 ESTIMATES · 53 SHOWN OF 53

Fastest shrinking, North Dakota counties

North Dakota counties with the steepest population decline from the 2020 census to 2025. 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 population gained Most population lost Most densely populated Most sparsely populated

YEAR2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION GROWTHVS 2000

01Slope County, NDND628-11.0%−28%

02Bowman County, NDND2,762-7.7%−22%

03Wells County, NDND3,729-6.4%−51%

04Sioux County, NDND3,667-5.9%−179%

05Towner County, NDND2,040-5.6%−73%

06Cavalier County, NDND3,497-5.6%−73%

07Foster County, NDND3,212-5.4%−3%

08Mountrail County, NDND9,395-4.2%−24%

09Grant County, NDND2,206-4.1%−79%

10Rolette County, NDND11,688-4.1%−158%

11Pembina County, NDND6,568-4.0%−43%

12McHenry County, NDND5,130-4.0%−51%

13Sargent County, NDND3,711-3.9%−3%

14Divide County, NDND2,110-3.9%−82%

15Pierce County, NDND3,838-3.8%−49%

16Walsh County, NDND10,179-3.6%−65%

17Benson County, NDND5,759-3.4%+6%

18Burke County, NDND2,132-3.1%−88%

19McIntosh County, NDND2,451-3.1%−80%

20Griggs County, NDND2,239-2.9%−83%

21Emmons County, NDND3,215-2.6%−75%

22Barnes County, NDND10,573-2.6%−58%

23Ward County, NDND68,233-2.4%−260%

24Dickey County, NDND4,895-2.1%−64%

25Nelson County, NDND2,963-1.7%−89%

26Ransom County, NDND5,617-1.5%+188%

27Bottineau County, NDND6,284-1.5%−86%

28Traill County, NDND7,920-1.0%−69%

29Logan County, NDND1,859-0.9%−95%

30Dunn County, NDND4,058-0.9%−91%

31Stutsman County, NDND21,414-0.8%−45%

32Eddy County, NDND2,329-0.8%−88%

33Ramsey County, NDND11,530-0.6%−87%

34McLean County, NDND9,740-0.3%−97%

35Steele County, NDND1,797-0.1%−99%

36Kidder County, NDND2,393-0.0%−100%

37Hettinger County, NDND2,492+0.1%−101%

38LaMoure County, NDND4,135+1.0%−108%

39Mercer County, NDND8,441+1.1%−109%

40Stark County, NDND34,013+1.1%−227%

41Oliver County, NDND1,898+1.1%−108%

42Richland County, NDND16,731+1.2%−248%

43Grand Forks County, NDND74,501+1.8%−128%

44Williams County, NDND41,767+2.0%−131%

45Renville County, NDND2,331+2.1%−112%

46Sheridan County, NDND1,296+2.5%−112%

47McKenzie County, NDND15,192+3.3%−133%

48Adams County, NDND2,275+3.4%−119%

49Morton County, NDND34,601+3.9%−42%

50Golden Valley County, NDND1,808+4.1%−148%

51Burleigh County, NDND103,251+4.9%−68%

52Cass County, NDND201,794+9.4%−52%

53Billings County, NDND1,071+13.3%−167%

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UPDATED 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU POPULATION ESTIMATES