Grafton, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grafton, North Dakota had a total population of 4,102, the 17th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $62,679, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
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 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Grafton Quick Facts
How Grafton 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 | 4,128 | 4,102 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $60,184 | $62,679 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $153,800 | $147,300 | -4.2% |
How Grafton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grafton Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Walsh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park River | 1,458 | $69,408 | 11.3% | $131,900 |
| Minto | 718 | $84,464 | 17.5% | $109,300 |
| Hoople | 228 | $79,250 | 19.7% | $100,000 |
| Fordville | 212 | $88,000 | 0.5% | $90,800 |
| Edinburg | 196 | $54,375 | 8.8% | $65,800 |
| Adams | 121 | $56,667 | 14.1% | $57,000 |
| Lankin | 109 | N/A | 31.2% | $70,000 |
| Pisek | 91 | $50,000 | 12.1% | $66,300 |
| Forest River | 87 | $71,875 | 6.9% | $84,400 |
| Auburn | 28 | N/A | 67.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Grafton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minot AFB | 4,878 | $62,500 | N/A | 29.9% | 1.2% |
| Lincoln | 4,381 | $87,652 | $278,900 | 17.6% | 5.6% |
| Beulah | 3,040 | $76,848 | $203,300 | 19.3% | 11.2% |
| Casselton | 2,953 | $73,259 | $278,400 | 34.8% | 7.1% |
| Valley City | 6,541 | $60,339 | $162,200 | 31.4% | 16.7% |
Population Overview
Grafton is a small community located in North Dakota, within Walsh County. The total population is 4,102. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grafton is 43.2 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. 12.3% 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 Grafton is $62,679. This is 18% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $147,300. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Grafton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grafton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.8% vs 4.7%).
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grafton, 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 Grafton, North Dakota?
Grafton, North Dakota has a population of 4,102 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grafton, ND?
The median household income in Grafton is $62,679, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grafton, ND?
The poverty rate in Grafton is 14.4%. This means approximately 572 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grafton, North Dakota?
Grafton's population is 67.6% White, 0.8% Black, 24.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grafton, ND?
The median home value in Grafton is $147,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Grafton, North Dakota?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Grafton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.