Des Lacs, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Des Lacs, North Dakota had a total population of 163, the 201st largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $70,000, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.2%.
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 1.2% — among the lowest in North Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Des Lacs Quick Facts
How Des Lacs 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 | 161 | 163 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $66,750 | $70,000 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $133,300 | $130,000 | -2.5% |
How Des Lacs 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+)
Des Lacs Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Ward County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | 47,791 | $73,219 | 11.1% | $257,100 |
| Minot AFB | 4,878 | $62,500 | 1.2% | N/A |
| Surrey | 1,721 | $106,438 | 1.4% | $315,800 |
| Burlington | 1,067 | $77,708 | 3.0% | $243,500 |
| Kenmare | 1,002 | $64,077 | 8.0% | $115,500 |
| Berthold | 415 | $96,000 | 2.4% | $180,000 |
| Sawyer | 353 | $76,250 | 9.0% | $210,700 |
| Carpio | 184 | $68,750 | 3.3% | $130,600 |
| Ruthville | 104 | $48,077 | 38.4% | $13,900 |
| Ryder | 100 | $40,313 | 32.0% | $53,300 |
Cities Similar to Des Lacs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | 165 | $71,000 | $92,500 | 19.1% | 13.9% |
| Four Bears Village | 154 | N/A | N/A | 11.7% | 33.8% |
| Lignite | 167 | $77,083 | $93,000 | 26.7% | 4.8% |
| Carpio | 184 | $68,750 | $130,600 | 12.9% | 3.3% |
| Ross | 156 | $83,780 | $180,000 | 10.5% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 163, Des Lacs'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
Des Lacs is a small community located in North Dakota, within Ward County. The total population is 163. It ranks as the 201st most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Des Lacs is 58.5 years. This is 63% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. Only 13.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Des Lacs is $70,000. This is 9% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.2%. This is 89% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Des Lacs, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $130,000. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Des Lacs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 97.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Des Lacs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.2% of all residents.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Des Lacs, 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 Des Lacs, North Dakota?
Des Lacs, North Dakota has a population of 163 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Des Lacs, ND?
The median household income in Des Lacs is $70,000, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Des Lacs, ND?
The poverty rate in Des Lacs is 1.2%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Des Lacs, North Dakota?
Des Lacs's population is 98.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Des Lacs, ND?
The median home value in Des Lacs is $130,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Des Lacs, North Dakota?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Des Lacs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.