Ray, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ray, North Dakota had a total population of 714, the 81st largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $72,031, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.3%.
Ray Quick Facts
How Ray 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 | 762 | 714 | -6.3% |
| Median household income | $69,792 | $72,031 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $211,500 | $227,600 | +7.6% |
How Ray 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+)
Ray Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Williams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williston | 28,056 | $79,381 | 8.1% | $286,200 |
| Tioga | 1,657 | $66,181 | 8.0% | $199,600 |
| Grenora | 408 | N/A | 16.2% | $97,200 |
| Trenton | 406 | $107,417 | 1.7% | $305,400 |
| Wildrose | 260 | $95,536 | 19.6% | $113,800 |
| Epping | 124 | $67,174 | 1.7% | $209,000 |
| McGregor | 108 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Blacktail | 93 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Alamo | 47 | $58,333 | 6.4% | $108,300 |
| Long Creek | 38 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ray
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drayton | 763 | $70,250 | $107,500 | 23.7% | 5.6% |
| Minto | 718 | $84,464 | $109,300 | 14.7% | 17.5% |
| LaMoure | 658 | $71,339 | $151,900 | 26.6% | 7.9% |
| Napoleon | 765 | $68,750 | $87,700 | 23.1% | 16.0% |
| New Salem | 780 | $69,519 | $187,000 | 20.1% | 6.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 714, Ray'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
Ray is a small community located in North Dakota, within Williams County. The total population is 714. It ranks as the 81st most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ray is 35.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 35.9 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, Ray has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ray is $72,031. 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 12.3%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.3%. This is 90% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $227,600. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $249,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 62.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Ray has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.4% of all residents.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ray, 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 Ray, North Dakota?
Ray, North Dakota has a population of 714 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ray, ND?
The median household income in Ray is $72,031, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ray, ND?
The poverty rate in Ray is 12.3%. This means approximately 88 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ray, North Dakota?
Ray's population is 89.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ray, ND?
The median home value in Ray is $227,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Ray, North Dakota?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Ray hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.