Wahpeton, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wahpeton, North Dakota had a total population of 8,010, the 10th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $62,750, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Wahpeton Quick Facts
How Wahpeton 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 | 7,996 | 8,010 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $57,417 | $62,750 | +9.3% |
| Median home value | $164,600 | $171,300 | +4.1% |
How Wahpeton 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+)
Wahpeton Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Richland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hankinson | 804 | $74,643 | 6.7% | $131,000 |
| Lidgerwood | 719 | $49,667 | 9.5% | $80,200 |
| Wyndmere | 509 | $85,625 | 12.4% | $162,900 |
| Fairmount | 292 | $59,375 | 10.3% | $93,800 |
| Colfax | 272 | $104,375 | 0.4% | $215,000 |
| Walcott | 272 | $93,125 | 9.4% | $188,900 |
| Christine | 255 | $94,018 | 1.6% | $333,300 |
| Abercrombie | 232 | $64,844 | 9.0% | $156,300 |
| Mooreton | 175 | $86,250 | 29.7% | $156,300 |
| Dwight | 47 | $144,583 | 0.0% | $200,000 |
Cities Similar to Wahpeton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley City | 6,541 | $60,339 | $162,200 | 31.4% | 16.7% |
| 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
Wahpeton is a small city located in North Dakota, within Richland County. The total population is 8,010. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wahpeton is 34.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 35.9 years. Only 14.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wahpeton is $62,750. This is 18% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $171,300. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Wahpeton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wahpeton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wahpeton, 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 Wahpeton, North Dakota?
Wahpeton, North Dakota has a population of 8,010 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wahpeton, ND?
The median household income in Wahpeton is $62,750, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wahpeton, ND?
The poverty rate in Wahpeton is 15.6%. This means approximately 1,049 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wahpeton, North Dakota?
Wahpeton's population is 87.0% White, 1.5% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wahpeton, ND?
The median home value in Wahpeton is $171,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Wahpeton, North Dakota?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Wahpeton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.