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Which counties in North Dakota are losing population?

33 of the 51 ranked counties in North Dakota had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Bowman County lost the largest share, down 7.1% (−211 people). Ward County lost the most residents (−1,687).

Of the 33 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 12 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 21 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 33 North Dakota counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in North Dakota
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1Bowman County−7.1%−2112,762Domestic migration (−131)
2Wells County−5.9%−2343,729Natural change (−182)
3Cavalier County−5.4%−2003,497Domestic migration (−129)
4Sioux County−5.4%−2093,667Domestic migration (−212)
5Foster County−5.1%−1723,212Domestic migration (−153)
6Towner County−5.0%−1072,040Domestic migration (−100)
7Mountrail County−4.2%−4139,395Domestic migration (−801)
8Divide County−4.2%−922,110Domestic migration (−73)
9Rolette County−4.1%−49711,688Domestic migration (−483)
10McHenry County−3.9%−2065,130Domestic migration (−170)
11Pembina County−3.8%−2596,568Domestic migration (−196)
12Pierce County−3.6%−1433,838Natural change (−132)
13Grant County−3.5%−792,206Natural change (−81)
14Sargent County−3.4%−1293,711Domestic migration (−132)
15Walsh County−3.4%−35310,179Domestic migration (−284)
16Benson County−3.0%−1815,759Domestic migration (−274)
17Burke County−2.7%−592,132Domestic migration (−72)
18Barnes County−2.7%−29010,573Natural change (−347)
19Griggs County−2.5%−582,239Natural change (−60)
20McIntosh County−2.5%−632,451Natural change (−99)
21Emmons County−2.4%−803,215Natural change (−48)
22Ward County−2.4%−1,68768,233Domestic migration (−4,583)
23Bottineau County−1.6%−1016,284Domestic migration (−108)
24Dickey County−1.5%−774,895Domestic migration (−82)
25Ransom County−1.5%−835,617Natural change (−83)
26Logan County−1.3%−241,859Domestic migration (−37)
27Nelson County−1.0%−302,963Natural change (−153)
28Dunn County−0.9%−354,058Domestic migration (−225)
29Traill County−0.8%−647,920Natural change (−91)
30Stutsman County−0.6%−13021,414Natural change (−172)
31Ramsey County−0.4%−4411,530Domestic migration (−125)
32McLean County−0.2%−239,740Natural change (−146)
33Steele County−0.1%−11,797Domestic migration (−5)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). 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 is losing population fastest?

Bowman County: down 7.1% between 2020 and 2025, to 2,762 residents (−211 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Wells County (−5.9%) and Cavalier County (−5.4%).

How many counties in North Dakota are losing population?

33 of the 51 ranked counties in North Dakota had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 18 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in North Dakota losing population?

Of the 33 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 12 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 21 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for North Dakota

Counties losing population in other states

Across the U.S.