Center, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Center, North Dakota had a total population of 562, the 99th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $77,083, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in North Dakota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Center Quick Facts
How Center 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 | 510 | 562 | +10.2% |
| Median household income | $74,464 | $77,083 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $170,100 | $204,100 | +20.0% |
How Center 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+)
Center Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Cities Similar to Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England | 564 | $74,722 | $154,200 | 9.7% | 14.4% |
| Hatton | 608 | $76,111 | $140,800 | 18.0% | 6.4% |
| Wilton | 607 | $80,000 | $215,900 | 23.1% | 6.8% |
| Portland | 549 | $90,000 | $194,000 | 25.8% | 4.5% |
| Forman | 617 | $69,712 | $128,100 | 20.6% | 2.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 562, Center'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
Center is a small community located in North Dakota, within Oliver County. The total population is 562. It ranks as the 99th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Center is 36.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. With 31.3% of the population under 18, Center has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 14.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Center is $77,083. This is about the same as the state median of $76,657. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 70% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $204,100. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Center has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 99.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.
Education
23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Center, 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 Center, North Dakota?
Center, North Dakota has a population of 562 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Center, ND?
The median household income in Center is $77,083, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Center, ND?
The poverty rate in Center is 3.2%. This means approximately 18 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Center, North Dakota?
Center's population is 99.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Center, ND?
The median home value in Center is $204,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Center, North Dakota?
23.9% of adults (25+) in Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.