Bismarck city, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bismarck city, North Dakota has a total population of 74,146, the 2nd largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $77,608, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Bismarck city is the 2nd largest city in North Dakota with a population of 74,146.
- 38.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Dakota.
Bismarck city Quick Facts
How Bismarck city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bismarck city Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Burleigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln city | 4,309 | $83,387 | 6.4% | $259,400 |
| Wing city | 202 | $85,568 | 4.5% | $86,700 |
| Regan city | 83 | $73,250 | 0.0% | $108,800 |
Cities Similar to Bismarck city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks city | 58,882 | $63,838 | $243,300 | 39.2% | 16.3% |
| Minot city | 47,922 | $77,431 | $254,400 | 29.9% | 9.7% |
| Fargo city | 129,064 | $66,029 | $269,800 | 43.2% | 12.8% |
| West Fargo city | 39,325 | $96,877 | $302,200 | 45.2% | 6.1% |
| Williston city | 27,964 | $84,309 | $262,700 | 25.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Bismarck city is a mid-sized community located in North Dakota, within Burleigh County. The total population is 74,146. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 401 cities and towns in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bismarck city is 38.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 35.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bismarck city is $77,608. This is 2% higher than the state median of $75,949. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 1% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $291,400. Housing costs are 21% higher than the state median of $241,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 63.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bismarck city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.2%.
Education
38.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bismarck city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 32.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bismarck city, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 401 Census-designated places in North Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all North Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bismarck city, North Dakota?
Bismarck city, North Dakota has a population of 74,146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bismarck city, ND?
The median household income in Bismarck city is $77,608, which is 1% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bismarck city, ND?
The poverty rate in Bismarck city is 9.7%. This means approximately 6,918 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bismarck city, North Dakota?
Bismarck city's population is 84.0% White, 2.3% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bismarck city, ND?
The median home value in Bismarck city is $291,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Bismarck city, North Dakota?
38.7% of adults (25+) in Bismarck city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.