Bismarck, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bismarck, North Dakota had a total population of 75,556, the 2nd largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $78,387, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Bismarck is the 2nd largest city in North Dakota with a population of 75,556.
Bismarck Quick Facts
How Bismarck Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 75,556 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $77,608 | $78,387 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $291,400 | $300,300 | +3.1% |
How Bismarck Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bismarck Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Burleigh County
Cities Similar to Bismarck
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | 59,042 | $63,627 | $249,900 | 40.0% | 15.5% |
| Minot | 47,791 | $73,219 | $257,100 | 29.7% | 11.1% |
| Fargo | 131,627 | $66,998 | $281,900 | 43.0% | 12.9% |
| West Fargo | 40,094 | $90,665 | $321,900 | 42.1% | 8.8% |
| Williston | 28,056 | $79,381 | $286,200 | 25.8% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Bismarck is a mid-sized community located in North Dakota, within Burleigh County. The total population is 75,556. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bismarck is 38.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bismarck is $78,387. This is 2% higher than the state median of $76,657. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $300,300. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $249,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bismarck is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%.
Education
39.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 32.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bismarck, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bismarck, North Dakota?
Bismarck, North Dakota has a population of 75,556 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bismarck, ND?
The median household income in Bismarck is $78,387, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bismarck, ND?
The poverty rate in Bismarck is 9.3%. This means approximately 6,794 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bismarck, North Dakota?
Bismarck's population is 82.8% White, 2.5% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bismarck, ND?
The median home value in Bismarck is $300,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Bismarck, North Dakota?
39.2% of adults (25+) in Bismarck hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.