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Which counties in North Dakota are people leaving?

25 of the 52 ranked counties in North Dakota had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Foster County had the largest net outflow for its size: 19.0 per 1,000 residents (−61 people). In people, Ward County had the largest net outflow (−556).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 2 of these 25 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 25 North Dakota counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in North Dakota
RankCountyPer 1,000 residents, 2025Net movers 2025ResidentsPopulation change 2020–25
1Foster County−19.0−613,212−5.1%
2Sioux County−17.2−633,667−5.4%
3Bowman County−16.7−462,762−7.1%
4Mountrail County−16.4−1549,395−4.2%
5Logan County−15.6−291,859−1.3%
6Bottineau County−8.6−546,284−1.6%
7Ward County−8.1−55668,233−2.4%
8Cavalier County−7.4−263,497−5.4%
9Renville County−6.0−142,331+2.9%
10Kidder County−5.9−142,393+0.5%
11Pierce County−5.5−213,838−3.6%
12Dickey County−5.1−254,895−1.5%
13Barnes County−4.8−5110,573−2.7%
14Sargent County−4.3−163,711−3.4%
15Traill County−4.3−347,920−0.8%
16Wells County−4.3−163,729−5.9%
17McHenry County−4.3−225,130−3.9%
18Ransom County−3.7−215,617−1.5%
19Divide County−3.3−72,110−4.2%
20Grant County−3.2−72,206−3.5%
21McLean County−3.1−309,740−0.2%
22Ramsey County−2.6−3011,530−0.4%
23Burke County−0.9−22,132−2.7%
24Stutsman County−0.9−2021,414−0.6%
25Pembina County−0.2−16,568−3.8%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in North Dakota are the most people leaving?

For its size, Foster County: net domestic migration of −19.0 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−61 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Sioux County (−17.2) and Bowman County (−16.7).

How many counties in North Dakota have more people moving out than in?

25 of the 52 ranked counties in North Dakota had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 2 of these 25 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for North Dakota

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.