Stanley, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stanley, North Dakota had a total population of 2,097, the 26th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $109,573, which is 43% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Stanley Quick Facts
How Stanley 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 | 2,089 | 2,097 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $105,893 | $109,573 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $241,300 | $237,900 | -1.4% |
How Stanley 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Stanley Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Mountrail County
Cities Similar to Stanley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington | 2,168 | $77,171 | $150,600 | 32.3% | 9.7% |
| Surrey | 1,721 | $106,438 | $315,800 | 27.4% | 1.4% |
| Grand Forks AFB | 1,987 | $72,782 | $9,999 | 29.9% | 4.0% |
| Bottineau | 2,205 | $65,905 | $165,000 | 26.0% | 12.0% |
| Hazen | 2,453 | $79,609 | $190,300 | 32.5% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Stanley is a small community located in North Dakota, within Mountrail County. The total population is 2,097. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stanley is 34.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 35.9 years. 10.4% 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 Stanley is $109,573. This is 43% higher than the state median of $76,657. It is also 36% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $237,900. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Stanley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Stanley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.2%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.2% vs 4.7%).
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stanley, 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 Stanley, North Dakota?
Stanley, North Dakota has a population of 2,097 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stanley, ND?
The median household income in Stanley is $109,573, which is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stanley, ND?
The poverty rate in Stanley is 8.4%. This means approximately 172 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stanley, North Dakota?
Stanley's population is 75.3% White, 0.7% Black, 18.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stanley, ND?
The median home value in Stanley is $237,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Stanley, North Dakota?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Stanley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.