Population
1,797
2025
−0.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Steele County, ND: population growth, jobs and income
Steele County gained 7 residents between 2024 and 2025 (+0.4%).
Steele County had an estimated 1,797 residents in 2025, down 0.1% (1 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than North Dakota as a whole (+2.5%), and the 19th fastest growth of 51 counties in North Dakota.
Data as of 2025 · updated
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In the Steele County report
One-time $99 PDF: everything on this page for Steele County, ranked against North Dakota and the U.S., plus these figures that are not on the free page:
- Median gross rent$738/mo2020–24
- Vacant homes, incl. seasonal and second homes28.0%2020–24
- New homes permitted, last 12 months02025-10/2026-09
- Rent growth, 5 yearsIn the report
- Permits in 5+ unit buildingsIn the report
- IRS income moving in (net AGI)In the report
- Neighbouring-county comparison tableIn the report
What's inside: 5 pages
- 1 Summary, headline numbers and ranks (free preview)
- 2 Ranks and the neighbouring-county table
- 3 Migration, with IRS mover and income flows
- 4 Rent, vacant homes, permits and employers
- 5 Every source and the methods
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+5
2025
2.8 per 1,000 residents
−5 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
2025
+1.0 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
2
2025
1.1 per 1,000 residents
Small base: the change swings on a few homes or people, so we don't show it.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$77,500
2020–24
+0.4% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
432
2023
−17.2% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 5 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Private employers had 432 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −17.2% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 3.1% in 2025, 1.0 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 2 new homes in 2025, or 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $77,500 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +0.4% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,893rd.
Get Steele County’s next numbers by email
Email me when Steele County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Steele County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,797 | +7 |
| 2024 | 1,790 | +2 |
| 2023 | 1,788 | −3 |
| 2022 | 1,791 | −21 |
| 2021 | 1,812 | +14 |
| 2020 | 1,798 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Steele County
Steele County lost 1 people since 2020; the biggest drag was domestic migration (−5).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +2 | +4 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +1 | +2 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +5 | −5 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −1 | −2 | |
| Total change | +7 | −1 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Dakota | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 19th of 51 | 1,893rd of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 15th of 52 | 1,427th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 51st of 52 | 3,004th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 20th of 52 | 692nd of 3,107 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 39th of 52 | 500th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 25th of 52 | 2,024th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
Get the county report — $99
The County Growth and Demographics Report for Steele County, ND as a PDF, from federal data: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
Add 2 neighbouring counties for $50: the Cass County and Grand Forks County reports too, $149 for all 3.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Steele County's population change (−0.1%) was ahead of 4 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Grand Forks County and Cass County).
Only Traill County had a higher median household income (2020–24) among its 6 neighbouring counties; Steele County's was $77,500.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steele County, ND This county | 1,797 | −0.1% | 2.8 | 1.1 | $77,500 |
| Griggs County, ND | 2,239 | −2.5% | 12.5 | 0.0 | $61,711 |
| Grand Forks County, ND | 74,501 | +1.9% | 0.7 | 2.5 | $68,075 |
| Traill County, ND | 7,920 | −0.8% | −4.3 | 0.9 | $87,004 |
| Barnes County, ND | 10,573 | −2.7% | −4.8 | 0.4 | $68,038 |
| Nelson County, ND | 2,963 | −1.0% | 13.8 | 1.3 | $67,193 |
| Cass County, ND | 201,794 | +9.1% | 1.7 | 5.7 | $75,555 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
Questions
Is Steele County growing?
No. Its population fell 0.1% between 2020 and 2025, about 1 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Dakota as a whole changed +2.5% over the same years. That ranks 19th of 51 counties in North Dakota for population growth.
How many people moved to Steele County?
On net, about 5 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in Steele County?
It averaged 3.1% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of Steele County?
About 1,797 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in Steele County?
Private employers there had 432 paid employees in mid-March 2023, −17.2% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What Beacon CRE covers in North Dakota
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now. This page and the other North Dakota county pages carry the public federal growth figures.
Steele County data alerts
Email me when Steele County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.