Discover the Largest Cities in North Dakota (By Population, Total Area, and Economic Impact)

North Dakota is the 19th-largest U.S. state by area. However, it is the fourth-least populous state with a total of 779,261 residents. This article explores the largest cities in North Dakota by population, total area, and economic impact. Overall, Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota by all three metrics.

The Largest Cities in North Dakota By Population

1. Fargo

Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota by population. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, it is home to 125,990 people. Overall, North Dakota’s population does not have much racial diversity compared to other states. The population of Fargo is 82.5% white and 8% African American.

2. Bismarck

Bismark is the second-largest city in North Dakota by population. It is home to 73,622 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census. The population of Bismarck is 85.7% white and 4.4% Native American.

3. Grand Forks

With a population of 59,166, Grand Forks is North Dakota’s third-largest city. Like most North Dakota cities, Grand Fork’s population is largely white.

4. Minot

With a population of 48,377, Minot is North Dakota’s fourth-largest city. Like most North Dakota cities, Minot’s population is largely white.

5. West Fargo

With a population of 38,626, West Fargo is North Dakota’s fifth-largest city. Like most North Dakota cities, West Fargo’s population is largely white.

The Largest Cities in North Dakota By Total Area

North Dakota is the 19th largest state, with a total area of 70,705 square miles. That’s around the same size as Oklahoma or Washington state. Let’s explore North Dakota’s largest cities by area.

1. Fargo

Fargo has a total area of 50.77 square miles. The city is located on the western bank of the Red River of the North, across the river from Minnesota. Fargo has a humid continental climate, with extremely cold winters and warm to hot summers. The city is home to the large and beautiful Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society, which features many different gardens.

2. Bismarck

Bismarck has a total area of 35.18 square miles. It sits on the east bank of the Missouri River. Bismarck has a humid continental climate with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers. The city has several beautiful parks on the beautiful Missouri River.

3. Grand Forks

Grand Forks has a total area of 28.18 square miles. The city sits on the western bank of the Red River of the North, around 80 miles north of Fargo. Like Fargo, Grand Forks has a humid continental climate, with extremely cold winters and warm to hot summers. The city has several beautiful parks on the beautiful Red River of the North.

4. Minot

Minot has a total area of 27.72 square miles. The Souris River runs through the center of the city. Minot has a humid continental climate with extremely cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers. notable natural attractions. The city has several parks on the beautiful Souris River.

5. Williston

Williston has a total area of 23.34 square miles. The city is on the north bank of the Missouri River, just northeast of its confluence with the Yellowstone River.

The Largest Cities in North Dakota By Economic Impact

North Dakota ranks 45th in the U.S. for gross domestic product (GDP). Nevertheless, it is home to two important economic hubs. Let’s explore its two largest cities by GDP.

1. Fargo

According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, Fargo had a GDP of 17,706 million dollars in 2021. While Fargo’s economy was previously dominated by agriculture, it is now primarily based on manufacturing, technology, food production, education, and healthcare. Sanford Health is Fargo’s top employer, followed by North Dakota State University and Essentia Health. After these three top employers, Fargo Public Schools has the most employees. Additionally, Microsoft has a campus in Fargo that employs a large number of people.

2. Bismarck

According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, Bismarck had a GDP of 6,715 million dollars in 2021. Since Bismark is the capital of North Dakota, the government is the largest sector of the economy. The State of North Dakota is the top employer in Bismarck, followed by Sanford Health and Bismarck Public Schools.

Summary

North Dakota is the fourth-least populous state in the U.S. Due to its small population, most of its large cities are small compared to other states. Overall, Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota by population, area, and economic impact. The capital city of Bismark ranks second in all three categories.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock.com