North Dakota continues its record-setting population growth

North Dakota topped its record-setting 2022 population estimate growing to 783,926 residents, 5014 more than the last count, according to the latest report by the U.S. Census Bureau. The forecast covers July 2022 to July 2023.

The report disclosed that North Dakota had 9,649 births in 2023, an estimated 200 less than last year, with 6,945 deaths for a natural change of 2,704 residents. North Dakota also saw 2,298 people from other countries settle in the state.

“North Dakota continues working to attract and retain residents by building healthy, vibrant communities, cutting taxes and supporting economic development, and we’re encouraged that a record number of residents are enjoying our state’s outstanding quality of life for the second straight year,” North Dakota’s Gov. Doug Burgum said.

The net migration for domestic residents - those arriving from other states minus those leaving the state - revealed the state lost nine more people than it gained. The numbers are an improvement from 2022 when 2700 more people left.

“This week’s release from the Census Bureau shows that the pattern of migration since the pandemic has switched from a net loss of residents to a net gain in the most recent timeframe,” said Kevin Iverson, State Data Center manager at the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

Overall, the net migration in the Midwest Region realized growth, with an estimated 80,000 residents settling in the area in 2023, reversing the outward migration trend of the past three years.

The South experienced the most significant growth, adding 1.4 million people to its population, with almost half a million new residents from other countries and a further 702,000 from other states. Percentage-wise, South Carolina grew by 1.7%, followed by Florida and Texas, each increasing by 1.6%.

The United States grew by 0.5% or about 1.6 million people in 2023.

North Dakota remains the 47th most populous state, ahead of Alaska and behind South Dakota.

Since 2010, North Dakota has been among the nation’s fastest-growing states, estimated to have grown by more than 16% since 2010. Only six states – Idaho, Utah, Texas, Florida, Nevada and Colorado – are estimated to have grown by a higher percentage since 2010,” a news release by Gov. Burgum’s office stated.