Rugby city, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Rugby city is a small community located in North Dakota, within Pierce County. The total population is 2,555. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 401 cities and towns in North Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rugby city is 40.4 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 35.7 years. 12.4% 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 Rugby city is $50,580. This is 33% lower than the state median of $75,949. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $147,800. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $241,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Rugby city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 63.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Rugby city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% lower 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 93.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Rugby 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.