Over the past decade North Dakota has encountered a great deal of change. North Dakota's energy development, robust economy, and thriving workforce reinvigorated the state's overall population. One of the key contributors to the population increase of North Dakota is the energy development in the western part of the state. In addition to the energy development, many other opportunities contributed to attracting businesses and workers throughout the state. While the national media typically highlights the statewide influx of population, this does not always reflect the myriad of differences which exist within the state.

While the United States continues to age, the North Dakota population is becoming younger (median age of 35.3 years old, 2013). Again however, not all counties are seeing this rejuvenation (see median age by county map for specifics). North Dakota is also becoming more racially diverse. The North Dakota population of color (i.e., non-white) experienced a 24 percent increase from 2010 to 2013 (see population by racial and ethnic group for specifics). Understanding the redistribution of population and the effects of these dynamic changes can improve policy making and strategic planning for the communities of North Dakota.  

One resource within the state to help people understand and determine what is happening to North Dakota's population is the North Dakota Census Office. In this month's Ask a Researcher, Kevin Iverson and Joe Cicha share what information can be found using the Census and what services the ND Census office can provide.