Garrison, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garrison, North Dakota had a total population of 1,397, the 40th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $71,974, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
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 2.3x.
Garrison Quick Facts
How Garrison 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 | 1,456 | 1,397 | -4.1% |
| Median household income | $68,646 | $71,974 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $181,800 | $165,800 | -8.8% |
How Garrison 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+)
Garrison Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn | 1,507 | $73,413 | 10.7% | $238,200 |
| Underwood | 699 | $85,577 | 10.2% | $191,200 |
| Turtle Lake | 500 | $67,639 | 12.1% | $120,100 |
| Max | 358 | $80,208 | 1.4% | $137,500 |
| White Shield | 246 | $68,750 | 29.3% | N/A |
| Benedict | 227 | $61,791 | 0.4% | $241,000 |
| Riverdale | 187 | $73,333 | 4.3% | $222,700 |
| Butte | 68 | N/A | 22.1% | $137,500 |
| Coleharbor | 66 | $78,750 | 7.6% | $166,700 |
| Mercer | 66 | $46,429 | 34.8% | $84,300 |
Cities Similar to Garrison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park River | 1,458 | $69,408 | $131,900 | 22.9% | 11.3% |
| Washburn | 1,507 | $73,413 | $238,200 | 26.5% | 10.7% |
| Cavalier | 1,426 | $60,449 | $170,400 | 28.9% | 6.2% |
| Bowman | 1,499 | $62,786 | $174,800 | 29.2% | 15.5% |
| Hettinger | 1,250 | $62,750 | $112,200 | 22.4% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
Garrison is a small community located in North Dakota, within McLean County. The total population is 1,397. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garrison is 52.5 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. 24.3% 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 Garrison is $71,974. This is 6% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Garrison, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $165,800. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Garrison is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Garrison has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.6%).
Education
21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Garrison, 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 Garrison, North Dakota?
Garrison, North Dakota has a population of 1,397 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Garrison, ND?
The median household income in Garrison is $71,974, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Garrison, ND?
The poverty rate in Garrison is 6.5%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Garrison, North Dakota?
Garrison's population is 88.6% White, 0.0% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Garrison, ND?
The median home value in Garrison is $165,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Garrison, North Dakota?
21.8% of adults (25+) in Garrison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.