BISMARCK – North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases for the fourth quarter of 2024 have demonstrated a 3.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023, Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus has announced. For October, November, and December of 2024, taxable sales and purchases totaled $7.1 billion.

“Despite the influence lower commodity pricing had on our state’s top two sectors – energy and agriculture – our economy again posted a modest gain compared to the same period last year,” Kroshus said in a news release. “As an exporting state, we’ll continue to keep a watchful eye on monetary and trade policy at the federal level, in conjunction with overall demand for North Dakota products.”

Notably, all major industry sectors reported a slight to moderate increase in taxable sales and purchases compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The state’s largest sector, retail trade, showcased a slight increase of 2.6% compared to the same period last year. Wholesale trade and mining and gas extraction posted 2% and 1.4% gains respectively, versus the prior year.

Percent changes for the fourth quarter of 2024, (compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, for the largest cities in North Dakota were as follows:

– Bismarck, decrease of 0.7%

– Dickinson, increase of 3.3%

– Fargo, decrease of 3.1%

– Grand Forks, decrease of 0.5%

– Jamestown, decrease of 1.9%

– Minot, decrease of 4.5%

– Williston, increase of 2%

“While fourth quarter results were positive, decreased collections for the state’s largest cities indicate consumer spending continues to moderate due to inflation and the current interest rate environment,” Kroshus said.

Of the 50 largest cities in North Dakota, the highest percentage of increases for the fourth quarter of 2024 (compared to the fourth quarter of 2023) were as follows:

– Burlington, increase of 41.1%

– Casselton, increase of 34.2%

– Ellendale, increase of 28.3%

– Bowman, increase of 26.3%

– New Town, increase of 9.4%

Counties with the highest percentage of increases for the fourth quarter of 2024 (compared to the fourth quarter of 2023) were as follows:

– Logan County, increase of 46.8%

– Bowman County, increase of 34.8%

– Bottineau County, increase of 28.6%