Grand Forks city, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Grand Forks city, North Dakota has a total population of 58,882, the 3rd largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $63,838, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Forks city is the 3rd largest city in North Dakota with a population of 58,882.
- 39.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Dakota.
Grand Forks city Quick Facts
How Grand Forks city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grand Forks city Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Grand Forks County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larimore city | 1,262 | $78,846 | 6.2% | $180,200 |
| Thompson city | 1,092 | $110,909 | 1.0% | $274,000 |
| Northwood city | 941 | $76,875 | 9.1% | $200,500 |
| Manvel city | 413 | $89,500 | 2.2% | $184,500 |
| Gilby city | 401 | $85,625 | 1.3% | $84,500 |
| Emerado city | 391 | $65,795 | 10.7% | $142,900 |
| Inkster city | 29 | N/A | 6.9% | $56,700 |
| Niagara city | 24 | $67,000 | 0.0% | $92,500 |
Cities Similar to Grand Forks city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minot city | 47,922 | $77,431 | $254,400 | 29.9% | 9.7% |
| Bismarck city | 74,146 | $77,608 | $291,400 | 38.7% | 9.7% |
| West Fargo city | 39,325 | $96,877 | $302,200 | 45.2% | 6.1% |
| Fargo city | 129,064 | $66,029 | $269,800 | 43.2% | 12.8% |
| Williston city | 27,964 | $84,309 | $262,700 | 25.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Grand Forks city is a mid-sized community located in North Dakota, within Grand Forks County. The total population is 58,882. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 401 cities and towns in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grand Forks city is 29.4 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 35.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grand Forks city is $63,838. This is 16% lower than the state median of $75,949. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $243,300. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $241,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 63.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grand Forks city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.2% vs 1.5%).
Education
39.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Grand Forks city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 32.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 15.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grand Forks city, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 401 Census-designated places in North Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Grand Forks city, North Dakota?
Grand Forks city, North Dakota has a population of 58,882 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grand Forks city, ND?
The median household income in Grand Forks city is $63,838, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Grand Forks city, ND?
The poverty rate in Grand Forks city is 16.3%. This means approximately 8,927 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grand Forks city, North Dakota?
Grand Forks city's population is 80.6% White, 4.0% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grand Forks city, ND?
The median home value in Grand Forks city is $243,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Grand Forks city, North Dakota?
39.2% of adults (25+) in Grand Forks city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.