Grand Forks County, ND

County

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2024 Population

72,923

US Senator

John Hoeven

Republican Party

US Senator

Kevin Cramer

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

30.9

0.98% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

13.2%

5.02% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$68,075

0.548% 1-year decline

2024 Median Property Value

$252,700

3.48% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

39,777

1.11% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Grand Forks County, ND reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.6% of the residents in Grand Forks County, ND are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Grand Forks County, ND are University of North Dakota (3,596 degrees awarded in 2023) and Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Grand Forks (32 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Grand Forks County, ND was $252,700, and the homeownership rate was 51.8%.

Most people in Grand Forks County, ND drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Grand Forks County, ND was 2 cars per household.

Grand Forks County, ND borders Marshall County, MN, Polk County, MN, Nelson County, ND, Steele County, ND, Traill County, ND, and Walsh County, ND.

United States North Dakota Grand Forks, ND-MN

Population & Diversity

Grand Forks County, ND is home to a population of 72.9k people, from which 95.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 6.54% of Grand Forks County, ND residents were born outside of the country (4.77k people).

In 2024, there were 21.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59.3k people) in Grand Forks County, ND than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.75k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 2.71k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.6%

2024 Citizenship

96.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.6% of Grand Forks County, ND residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Grand Forks County, ND was 96.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Grand Forks County, ND compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Grand Forks County, ND

White (Non-Hispanic)
59.3k ± 365
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
2.75k ± 419
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.71k ± 236

5.37%

Hispanic Population

3.92k people

5.37% of the people in Grand Forks County, ND are hispanic (3.92k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Grand Forks County, ND as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Dakota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,032 ± 1,349 people
Canada
2,767 ± 1,289 people
Philippines
2,721 ± 1,278 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Dakota was Mexico, the natal country of 3,032 North Dakota residents, followed by Canada with 2,767 and Philippines with 2,721.

Foreign-Born Population

6.54%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

4.77k people

5.57%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

4.05k people

As of 2024, 6.54% of Grand Forks County, ND residents (4.77k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Grand Forks County, ND was 5.57%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Grand Forks County, ND compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,704 ± 288
Vietnam
992 ± 232
Gulf War (1990s)
759 ± 217

Grand Forks County, ND has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.72 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Grand Forks County, ND.

Economy

The economy of Grand Forks County, ND employs 39.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Grand Forks County, ND were Health Care & Social Assistance (6,741 people), Educational Services (6,217 people), and Retail Trade (5,148 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($87,457), Utilities ($72,750), and Public Administration ($62,899).

Employment

Occupations

39.8k

2024 Value

± 1,511

1.11%

1 Year growth

± 5.32%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Grand Forks County, ND grew at a rate of 1.11%, from 39.3k employees to 39.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Grand Forks County, ND, are Sales & Related Occupations (3,982 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (3,749 people), and Management Occupations (3,721 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Grand Forks County, ND.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Dakota.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Dakota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

39.8k

2024 Value

± 1,511

1.11%

1 Year growth

± 5.32%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Grand Forks County, ND grew at a rate of 1.11%, from 39.3k employees to 39.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Grand Forks County, ND, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,741 people), Educational Services (6,217 people), and Retail Trade (5,148 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Grand Forks County, ND, though some of these residents may live in Grand Forks County, ND and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,023

Median earning men ± $1,879

$38,161

Median earning women ± $2,012

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($73,188), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($63,229), and Information ($61,700).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($61,207), Public Administration ($58,017), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,208).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Dakota.

Y-Axis

2.83%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 428k people employed in North Dakota. This represents a 2.83% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.3%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Dakota.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

124
Other Services (except Public Administration)
108
Construction
87
Finance and Insurance

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$459k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$178k
Retail Trade
$157k
Construction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

In 2023, universities in Grand Forks County, ND awarded 3,628 degrees. The student population of Grand Forks County, ND in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 7,101 male students and 7,115 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Grand Forks County, ND are White (2,859 and 83.7%), Hispanic or Latino (162 and 4.74%), Two or More Races (154 and 4.51%), and Black or African American (85 and 2.49%).

The largest universities in Grand Forks County, ND by number of degrees awarded are University of North Dakota (3,596 and 99.1%) and Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Grand Forks (32 and 0.882%).

The most popular majors in Grand Forks County, ND are Registered Nursing (277 and 7.64%), General Aeronautics & Aerospace Science & Technology (249 and 6.86%), and General Business Administration & Management (133 and 3.67%).

The median tuition cost in Grand Forks County, ND for a public four year colleges is $9,237 for in-state students and $13,856 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Grand Forks County, ND, the percentage of applicants admitted was 77.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 30.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 14,216 (50% men and 50% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 14,216 students enrolled in Grand Forks County, ND, 50% men and 50% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,674 records, of which 51.6% were women and 48.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Aeronautics & Aerospace Science & Technology
220 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
118 degrees awarded
General Psychology
117 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Grand Forks County, ND was General Aeronautics & Aerospace Science & Technology with 220 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Grand Forks County, ND according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of North Dakota
3,596 degrees awarded
Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Grand Forks
32 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of North Dakota with 3,596 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,429 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Grand Forks County, ND, which is 0.65 times less than the 2,199 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,859 degrees mean that there were 17.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 162 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($9,237) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,714) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($800) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Grand Forks County, ND was $252,700 in 2024, which is 0.76 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $244,200 to $252,700, a 3.48% increase. The homeownership rate in Grand Forks County, ND is 51.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Grand Forks County, ND have an average commute time of 15.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Grand Forks County, ND is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 16.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Grand Forks County, ND. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.04%.

Housing

Property

$252,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$8,223

$16,205

Median Property Taxes

±$796

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Grand Forks County, ND the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Grand Forks County, ND compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

51.8%

Homeownership

2024

68.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 51.8% of the housing units in Grand Forks County, ND were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 52.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Grand Forks County, ND compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$68,075

Median Household Income

± $4,321

31.3k

Number of Households

± 1,338

In 2024, the median household income of the 31.3k households in Grand Forks County, ND declined from $68,075 from the previous year's value of $68,450.

The following chart displays the households in Grand Forks County, ND distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Grand Forks County, ND is from North Dakota.

0.432

2023 Wage GINI in North Dakota

0.436

2022 Wage GINI in North Dakota

In 2023, the income inequality in North Dakota was 0.432 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.922% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Dakota was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Dakota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Dakota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (78.1%)
Carpooled (9.19%)
Worked At Home (6.47%)

In 2024, 78.1% of workers in Grand Forks County, ND drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.19%) and those who worked at home (6.47%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

15.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Grand Forks County, ND have a shorter commute time (15.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.32% of the workforce in Grand Forks County, ND have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Grand Forks County, ND compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Grand Forks County, ND distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Grand Forks County, ND have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 16.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Grand Forks County, ND. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 1.04%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Grand Forks County, ND (9.02k out of 68.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Grand Forks County, ND is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 9.4% of the children was living in poverty in Grand Forks County, ND. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 243 in Grand Forks County, ND. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 21 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

95.5% of the population of Grand Forks County, ND has health coverage, with 56.3% on employee plans, 8.82% on Medicaid, 9.9% on Medicare, 16.6% on non-group plans, and 3.88% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Grand Forks County, ND see 817 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (817 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1168 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 261 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.1% were men and 48.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

817 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Grand Forks County, ND

Primary care physicians in Grand Forks County, ND see an average of 817 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (817 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Grand Forks County, ND in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.1% under 18 years, 31.8% between 18 and 34 years, 30.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.1% were men and 48.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.5%

Uninsured

56.3%

Employer Coverage

8.82%

Medicaid

9.9%

Medicare

16.6%

Non-Group

3.88%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Grand Forks County, ND declined by 8.55% from 4.92% to 4.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Grand Forks County, ND changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 48.5 in Grand Forks County, ND.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Grand Forks County, ND.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.4% in Grand Forks County, ND.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Grand Forks County, ND.