Bowbells, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bowbells, North Dakota had a total population of 355, the 127th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $66,250, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Bowbells Quick Facts
How Bowbells 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 | 267 | 355 | +33.0% |
| Median household income | $80,938 | $66,250 | -18.1% |
| Median home value | $113,600 | $104,200 | -8.3% |
How Bowbells 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+)
Bowbells Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
Cities Similar to Bowbells
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McVille | 365 | $68,750 | $97,500 | 25.3% | 10.5% |
| Emerado | 346 | $70,938 | $204,800 | 37.3% | 7.2% |
| Sawyer | 353 | $76,250 | $210,700 | 16.4% | 9.0% |
| Max | 358 | $80,208 | $137,500 | 28.1% | 1.4% |
| Finley | 329 | $74,643 | $70,700 | 34.2% | 15.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 355, Bowbells's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bowbells is a small community located in North Dakota, within Burke County. The total population is 355. It ranks as the 127th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bowbells is 50.3 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bowbells is $66,250. This is 14% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bowbells, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $104,200. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Bowbells is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bowbells is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 2.0%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bowbells, 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 Bowbells, North Dakota?
Bowbells, North Dakota has a population of 355 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bowbells, ND?
The median household income in Bowbells is $66,250, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bowbells, ND?
The poverty rate in Bowbells is 14.4%. This means approximately 51 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bowbells, North Dakota?
Bowbells's population is 78.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bowbells, ND?
The median home value in Bowbells is $104,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Bowbells, North Dakota?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Bowbells hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.