Valley City, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valley City, North Dakota had a total population of 6,541, the 12th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $60,339, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Valley City Quick Facts
How Valley City 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 | 6,554 | 6,541 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $56,471 | $60,339 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $152,800 | $162,200 | +6.2% |
How Valley City 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+)
Valley City Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Barnes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oriska | 231 | $123,194 | 10.4% | $76,800 |
| Litchville | 185 | $33,281 | 33.5% | $115,600 |
| Fingal | 174 | $56,944 | 6.9% | $56,000 |
| Wimbledon | 159 | $107,857 | 8.8% | $153,400 |
| Sanborn | 103 | $80,875 | 1.9% | $103,100 |
| Kathryn | 77 | $80,156 | 14.3% | $90,900 |
| Dazey | 62 | $43,000 | 4.8% | N/A |
| Nome | 49 | $72,500 | 20.4% | N/A |
| Rogers | 26 | $76,042 | 7.7% | $47,500 |
| Leal | 23 | $70,500 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Valley City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahpeton | 8,010 | $62,750 | $171,300 | 23.1% | 15.6% |
| Devils Lake | 7,308 | $43,220 | $164,900 | 21.9% | 21.8% |
| Minot AFB | 4,878 | $62,500 | N/A | 29.9% | 1.2% |
| Watford City | 6,039 | $102,260 | $408,500 | 18.9% | 7.8% |
| Grafton | 4,102 | $62,679 | $147,300 | 16.7% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Valley City is a small city located in North Dakota, within Barnes County. The total population is 6,541. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valley City is 39.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. 11.9% 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 Valley City is $60,339. This is 21% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $162,200. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Valley City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Valley City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.2% vs 1.6%).
Education
31.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valley City, 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 Valley City, North Dakota?
Valley City, North Dakota has a population of 6,541 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valley City, ND?
The median household income in Valley City is $60,339, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valley City, ND?
The poverty rate in Valley City is 16.7%. This means approximately 985 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valley City, North Dakota?
Valley City's population is 88.0% White, 0.4% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valley City, ND?
The median home value in Valley City is $162,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Valley City, North Dakota?
31.4% of adults (25+) in Valley City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.