Jill Schramm/MDN A house under construction joins other newer homes in a Burlington subdivision. Burlington led Ward County in numeric and percentage growth from July 2023-July 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

New estimates show Minot’s population in 2024 halted a gradual downward trend since the official 2020 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau released its July 2024 estimates today, which showed Minot’s estimated population at 47,440. The estimate was up 20 residents or largely stable from July 2023. Minot registered 48,377 residents in the 2020 Census.

Ward County’s rural population was largely stable or showed small declines. Growth occurred in Burlington and Surrey, which together added an estimated 43 residents. Burlington’s estimated population of 1,334 was up 1.9%, and Surrey, at 1,434, was up 1.27%.

Horace, a community of an estimated 6,286 people near Fargo, was the state’s fastest growing city with a growth rate of 10.6% in the year ended July 2024. Fargo grew 1.4% to an estimated population of 136,285, while West Fargo grew 0.5% to 41,027.

Western North Dakota’s oilfield communities also saw growth last year.

The Census Bureau estimated Williston’s population at 28,821, up 3.55%. Also in the heart of oil country, Watford City continued to grow. Its estimated population of 6,207 was up 3%. Tioga’s estimated population of 2,177 was up 3.5%, while Ray, at 756, was up 4.4%. Dickinson, with an estimated population of 25,695, showed 1.9% growth.

The Census Bureau continued to report declines in many smaller communities and townships located away from larger cities or economic drivers such as oil activity. Meanwhile, the state’s largest cities are seeing steady population rises.

In addition to Fargo, Bismarck and Grand Forks both registered population increases. Bismarck’s estimated population of 77,772 was up 1.8%, and Grand Forks’ estimated population of 59,845 was up 0.8%. Mandan, at 24,788, also was up 0.2%.

The Census Bureau released information regarding the latest estimates that showed the U.S. has 14,603 communities smaller than 5,000 population; 1,670 communities with between 5,000-9,999; 2,389 with 10,000-49,999; and 817 with more than 50,000.

The country’s six largest cities are New York, 8.47 million; Los Angeles, 3.87 million; Chicago, 2.72 million; Houston, 2.39 million; Phoenix, 1.67 million; and Philadelphia, 1.57 million. Five of the top 15 largest cities are in Texas and three are in California. Eleven U.S. cities have populations exceeding 1 million.