Rugby, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rugby, North Dakota had a total population of 2,481, the 21st largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $50,365, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Rugby Quick Facts
How Rugby 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 | 2,555 | 2,481 | -2.9% |
| Median household income | $50,580 | $50,365 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $147,800 | $131,800 | -10.8% |
How Rugby 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+)
Rugby Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pierce County
Cities Similar to Rugby
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Town | 2,721 | $52,500 | $207,600 | 21.4% | 24.0% |
| Lisbon | 2,259 | $64,327 | $192,100 | 21.2% | 15.4% |
| Hazen | 2,453 | $79,609 | $190,300 | 32.5% | 10.3% |
| Bottineau | 2,205 | $65,905 | $165,000 | 26.0% | 12.0% |
| Mayville | 1,976 | $55,735 | $198,200 | 30.5% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Rugby is a small community located in North Dakota, within Pierce County. The total population is 2,481. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rugby is 40.1 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. 13.1% 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 is $50,365. This is 34% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.5%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $131,800. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Rugby is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rugby has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% 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 3.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.
Education
30.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rugby, 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 Rugby, North Dakota?
Rugby, North Dakota has a population of 2,481 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rugby, ND?
The median household income in Rugby is $50,365, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rugby, ND?
The poverty rate in Rugby is 13.0%. This means approximately 301 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rugby, North Dakota?
Rugby's population is 89.2% White, 0.4% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rugby, ND?
The median home value in Rugby is $131,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Rugby, North Dakota?
30.3% of adults (25+) in Rugby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.