You’ve probably heard the jokes about North Dakota being just empty space and a few cows. Honestly, it’s a bit of a cliché. But if you actually look at the data—and the reality on the ground—the story of north dakota cities by population is much more about a massive tug-of-war between booming urban hubs and the quiet, shrinking rural towns.
We aren't just talking about Fargo and "the rest." As of early 2026, the shifts are getting weird. Some oil towns that were "supposed" to crash are holding steady, while classic college towns are fighting to keep their numbers up. It's not a flat line; it's a jagged graph.
The Big One: Fargo Is Basically Its Own Country Now
Fargo is massive compared to its neighbors. It doesn't feel like a North Dakota town anymore; it feels like a mini-Minneapolis. By the start of 2026, Fargo’s population has climbed toward 136,285. That’s a huge jump from the 125,986 recorded back in 2020.
Basically, Fargo is where the jobs are. It’s where the tech is. It's where the young people go when they realize they can't find a high-speed internet connection in a town of 400. The growth rate is hovering around 1.4% annually, which sounds small but is actually quite aggressive for the Midwest.
Bismarck and the State Capitol Shuffle
Bismarck is sitting pretty at about 77,772 people. It’s growing, but the vibe is totally different from Fargo. It’s stable. It’s the government. If you work for the state, you’re probably here.
What’s interesting is the "Bismarck-Mandan" effect. Mandan, just across the river, has hit roughly 24,206. People are treating them like one big city, which is why the metro area feels closer to 140,000. It’s the second-biggest cluster in the state, and it shows no signs of slowing down because, well, the government doesn't just disappear.
Grand Forks vs. Minot: The Battle for Third
This is where it gets spicy. For years, Grand Forks and Minot have been neck-and-neck.
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Grand Forks currently sits at approximately 59,166. It’s had some rough patches with slight declines (about 0.4% recently), mostly because the student population at UND fluctuates and the housing market got a bit tight.
Minot, on the other hand, is at about 48,377. It took a hit after the initial oil boom cooled off, losing roughly 2% of its residents over a three-year span. It’s a "Magic City," but the magic depends a lot on the Air Force base and the price of a barrel of crude.
The Current Leaderboard (Approximate 2026 Estimates)
Honestly, seeing the numbers side-by-side helps explain why the state feels so lopsided:
- Fargo: 136,285
- Bismarck: 77,772
- Grand Forks: 59,166
- Minot: 48,377
- West Fargo: 40,400 (This one is the real sleeper—it’s growing faster than anywhere else!)
- Williston: 29,479
- Dickinson: 25,679
Why West Fargo Is the Real Story
If you want to talk about north dakota cities by population, you cannot ignore West Fargo. It’s officially its own city, but for a long time, it was just "that place next to Fargo."
Not anymore.
West Fargo recently cleared the 40,000 mark. It’s growing because people want the Fargo jobs but a slightly different school district or a brand-new house. It’s basically a massive construction site that accidentally became a major city. If it keeps up this pace, it might actually challenge Minot for the #4 spot in a decade.
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The Western Side: Williston and Dickinson
These two are the heart of the Bakken oil formation. Williston is around 29,479 and Dickinson is near 25,679.
People expected these places to turn into ghost towns once the "boom" ended. That didn't happen. Instead, they’ve stabilized. Sure, they lost some of the "living in a camper" transient workers, but the people who stayed are building real lives. Williston, specifically, had a rough 5% drop recently, but the core population is much more resilient than the 2012 era would have predicted.
The Rural Drain: Where Did Everyone Go?
While the big cities are growing, the small towns are hurting. Places like Towner and Sioux County are seeing declines of 8% or more.
It’s simple math:
- Young people leave for Fargo or Bismarck for college.
- They realize they like having a Target and five different Thai restaurants.
- They don't come back.
North Dakota is becoming a state of urban islands in a rural sea. Almost 20% of the entire state's population lives in Fargo alone. Think about that. One city holds one-fifth of the people in a state that has 53 counties.
International Migration Is Saving the Day
Here is a weird fact: North Dakota actually loses more people to other states than it gains. We call this negative domestic migration. About 291 more people left for other states than moved in recently.
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So why is the population still going up?
International immigration. Between 2023 and 2024, about 5,100 people moved to North Dakota from other countries. This is what’s keeping the workforce alive in places like Fargo and Grand Forks. Without international arrivals, the state's growth would basically flatline.
Actionable Insights for Moving or Investing
If you're looking at north dakota cities by population because you’re thinking of moving or starting a business, here is the ground-level reality:
- For Tech and Startups: Go to Fargo. The "Silicon Prairie" thing is actually happening there, and the density is high enough to support it.
- For Stability: Bismarck is the move. Government jobs and a steady housing market make it the safest bet in the state.
- For Growth Potential: Keep an eye on West Fargo and Horace. Horace is tiny but is exploding as the next "it" suburb.
- For Affordability: Look at the outskirts of Grand Forks or Minot. You get the city amenities without the Fargo price tag (which, let’s be honest, is still cheap compared to Denver or Seattle).
The biggest takeaway is that North Dakota isn't just one thing. It's a collection of rapidly growing hubs and shrinking farming communities. If you’re looking for the "good life" state leaders keep talking about, you’ll find it in the cities, but you might have to drive an hour to find the "wide open spaces" everyone expects.
To stay ahead of these trends, keep a close watch on the U.S. Census Bureau’s July population estimates, which usually drop every spring. They are the only way to track if the "West Fargo Boom" is finally hitting a ceiling or if Fargo is on its way to 150,000.