Oakes, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oakes, North Dakota had a total population of 1,858, the 29th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $67,632, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.1%.
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 1.7%.
Oakes Quick Facts
How Oakes 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 | 2,046 | 1,858 | -9.2% |
| Median household income | $64,750 | $67,632 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $160,100 | $159,700 | -0.2% |
How Oakes 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+)
Oakes Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Dickey County
Cities Similar to Oakes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langdon | 1,782 | $64,286 | $135,900 | 24.6% | 11.1% |
| Grand Forks AFB | 1,987 | $72,782 | $9,999 | 29.9% | 4.0% |
| Tioga | 1,657 | $66,181 | $199,600 | 23.9% | 8.0% |
| Mayville | 1,976 | $55,735 | $198,200 | 30.5% | 19.0% |
| Hillsboro | 1,704 | $81,483 | $174,800 | 37.4% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Oakes is a small community located in North Dakota, within Dickey County. The total population is 1,858. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oakes is 38.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oakes is $67,632. This is 12% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $159,700. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Oakes is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oakes has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 4.7%).
Education
22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oakes, 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 Oakes, North Dakota?
Oakes, North Dakota has a population of 1,858 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oakes, ND?
The median household income in Oakes is $67,632, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oakes, ND?
The poverty rate in Oakes is 12.1%. This means approximately 214 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oakes, North Dakota?
Oakes's population is 87.0% White, 0.0% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oakes, ND?
The median home value in Oakes is $159,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Oakes, North Dakota?
22.9% of adults (25+) in Oakes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.