Fessenden, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fessenden, North Dakota had a total population of 433, the 114th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $65,962, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
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 1.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Fessenden Quick Facts
How Fessenden 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 | 477 | 433 | -9.2% |
| Median household income | $65,125 | $65,962 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $73,300 | $70,900 | -3.3% |
How Fessenden 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+)
Fessenden Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Wells County
Cities Similar to Fessenden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westhope | 435 | $69,479 | $102,800 | 29.3% | 8.5% |
| East Dunseith | 450 | N/A | $143,800 | 8.6% | 58.1% |
| Grenora | 408 | N/A | $97,200 | 21.0% | 16.2% |
| Stanton | 470 | $68,750 | $117,900 | 8.2% | 3.8% |
| Turtle Lake | 500 | $67,639 | $120,100 | 22.0% | 12.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 433, Fessenden'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
Fessenden is a small community located in North Dakota, within Wells County. The total population is 433. It ranks as the 114th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fessenden is 42.1 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fessenden is $65,962. 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 21.3%. This is 96% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $70,900. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Fessenden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fessenden has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fessenden, 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 Fessenden, North Dakota?
Fessenden, North Dakota has a population of 433 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fessenden, ND?
The median household income in Fessenden is $65,962, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fessenden, ND?
The poverty rate in Fessenden is 21.3%. This means approximately 92 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fessenden, North Dakota?
Fessenden's population is 93.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fessenden, ND?
The median home value in Fessenden is $70,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Fessenden, North Dakota?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Fessenden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.