Census estimates show Bakken expansion
North Dakota’s Bakken counties saw some bounce back in population last year, while the Minot area experienced a little more decline, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today. The Minot Metropolitan Area, consisting of Ward, Renville and McHenry counties, listed a July 2023 estimated population of 75,742, down 0.6% from July 2022. The Minot metro area had entered the decade with an official population of 77,561. Ward County was at 68,332 in the estimates, a drop of 0.7% that continued a slow downward trend since the official 2020 Census. Renville County, at 2,279, ...