Cathay, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cathay, North Dakota had a total population of 17, the 369th largest city in North Dakota. The poverty rate is 18.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Cathay Quick Facts
How Cathay 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 | 22 | 17 | -22.7% |
How Cathay 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+)
Cathay Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Wells County
Cities Similar to Cathay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice | 18 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 27.8% |
| Knox | 18 | $61,250 | $160,400 | 0.0% | 11.1% |
| Loraine | 18 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 83.3% |
| Monango | 18 | N/A | N/A | 75.0% | 0.0% |
| Fairdale | 16 | $23,750 | $22,500 | 6.3% | 43.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 17, Cathay'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
Cathay is a small community located in North Dakota, within Wells County. The total population is 17. It ranks as the 369th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cathay is 36.5 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. With 41.2% of the population under 18, Cathay has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 73% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Cathay, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 85.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cathay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents.
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cathay, 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.
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 Cathay, North Dakota?
Cathay, North Dakota has a population of 17 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cathay, ND?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cathay — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cathay, ND?
The poverty rate in Cathay is 18.8%. This means approximately 3 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cathay, North Dakota?
Cathay's population is 94.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cathay, ND?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Cathay — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Cathay, North Dakota?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Cathay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.