Thompson, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thompson, North Dakota had a total population of 1,138, the 47th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $118,281, which is 54% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Dakota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in North Dakota.
- 44.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Thompson Quick Facts
How Thompson 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 | 1,092 | 1,138 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $110,909 | $118,281 | +6.6% |
| Median home value | $274,000 | $281,900 | +2.9% |
How Thompson 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+)
Thompson Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Grand Forks County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | 59,042 | $63,627 | 15.5% | $249,900 |
| Grand Forks AFB | 1,987 | $72,782 | 4.0% | $9,999 |
| Larimore | 1,240 | $87,546 | 8.3% | $203,900 |
| Northwood | 1,046 | $78,571 | 4.7% | $208,200 |
| Manvel | 368 | $91,719 | 1.6% | $203,700 |
| Reynolds | 349 | $93,750 | 1.1% | $167,300 |
| Emerado | 346 | $70,938 | 7.2% | $204,800 |
| Gilby | 322 | $92,188 | 0.0% | $110,400 |
| Inkster | 27 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Niagara | 24 | $88,750 | 0.0% | $100,000 |
Cities Similar to Thompson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mapleton | 1,352 | $119,432 | $310,200 | 43.9% | 1.8% |
| Kindred | 996 | $105,104 | $297,800 | 44.2% | 3.5% |
| Velva | 1,083 | $83,060 | $194,600 | 20.5% | 8.2% |
| Larimore | 1,240 | $87,546 | $203,900 | 16.1% | 8.3% |
| Crosby | 1,065 | $82,500 | $115,400 | 11.0% | 0.0% |
Population Overview
Thompson is a small community located in North Dakota, within Grand Forks County. The total population is 1,138. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thompson is 44.2 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. With 29.4% of the population under 18, Thompson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thompson is $118,281. This is 54% higher than the state median of $76,657. It is also 47% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 86% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $281,900. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Thompson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thompson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
44.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Thompson in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 35% higher 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 98.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thompson, 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 Thompson, North Dakota?
Thompson, North Dakota has a population of 1,138 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thompson, ND?
The median household income in Thompson is $118,281, which is 47% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thompson, ND?
The poverty rate in Thompson is 1.5%. This means approximately 17 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thompson, North Dakota?
Thompson's population is 94.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thompson, ND?
The median home value in Thompson is $281,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Thompson, North Dakota?
44.1% of adults (25+) in Thompson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.