Rolla, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rolla, North Dakota had a total population of 1,039, the 52nd largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $49,219, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Rolla Quick Facts
How Rolla 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 | 1,164 | 1,039 | -10.7% |
| Median household income | $52,841 | $49,219 | -6.9% |
| Median home value | $121,500 | $151,500 | +24.7% |
How Rolla 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rolla Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Rolette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belcourt | 1,547 | $90,568 | 27.7% | N/A |
| Shell Valley | 1,243 | $46,786 | 21.5% | $90,800 |
| Green Acres | 994 | $47,679 | 38.7% | N/A |
| Dunseith | 818 | $51,449 | 11.1% | N/A |
| East Dunseith | 450 | N/A | 58.1% | $143,800 |
| Rolette | 363 | $90,536 | 5.3% | $128,400 |
| St. John | 286 | $62,750 | 12.9% | N/A |
| Mylo | 8 | N/A | 12.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rolla
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellendale | 1,033 | $54,643 | $116,100 | 36.5% | 13.2% |
| Green Acres | 994 | $47,679 | N/A | 0.0% | 38.7% |
| Cando | 1,164 | $51,500 | $168,100 | 28.6% | 6.4% |
| Cooperstown | 918 | $51,375 | $98,600 | 20.2% | 15.0% |
| Linton | 904 | $47,500 | $97,800 | 27.6% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Rolla is a small community located in North Dakota, within Rolette County. The total population is 1,039. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rolla is 38.6 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. With 32.0% of the population under 18, Rolla has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rolla is $49,219. This is 36% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 113% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $151,500. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $249,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 47.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rolla is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (34.5%) is well below the state average of 81.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
22.0% 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 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rolla, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rolla, North Dakota?
Rolla, North Dakota has a population of 1,039 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rolla, ND?
The median household income in Rolla is $49,219, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rolla, ND?
The poverty rate in Rolla is 23.1%. This means approximately 213 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rolla, North Dakota?
Rolla's population is 34.5% White, 0.1% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rolla, ND?
The median home value in Rolla is $151,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Rolla, North Dakota?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Rolla hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.