BISMARCK – North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases for the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 1.53% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the State Tax Commission. For January, February, and March of 2025, taxable sales and purchases totaled $5.65 billion versus $5.74 billion in the prior year.

“While we experienced a modest decline overall, results indicate that the North Dakota economy remained relatively stable despite economic headwinds at the national level,” said Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus in a news release. “Steady consumer spending reflected in the retail sales number, which kept pace with the previous year, suggests there is still reason to be cautiously optimistic moving forward, acknowledging the outcome of negotiations with key U.S. trade partners in the coming months will play a role in determining the state’s economic performance for the balance of the year, especially as it relates to our energy and agricultural sectors.”

Despite the slight overall decrease, retail trade, the state’s largest sector, remained stable with a minimal year-over-year change of 0.04%. Conversely, wholesale trade experienced a decline of 6.1%, while mining and gas extraction countered with a solid 6.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

“Results for our larger metro areas in the state during the first quarter were mixed, with the western half of the state largely experiencing growth compared to the prior year while their eastern counterparts posted less favorable results,” Kroshus said.

Minot saw a 6.7% decline. Also recording declines were Grand Forks, 5.3%; Fargo, 4.9%; and Jamestown, 4.8%. Williston saw an increase of 7.1%; Dickinson, 2.1%; and Bismarck, 1.8%.

Of the 50 largest cities in North Dakota, the highest percentage of increases for the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2024, were:

-Garrison, 49.8%

-Burlington, 39.9%

-Velva, 29.0%

-Belfield, 20.7%

-Ellendale, 18.1%

Counties with the highest percentage of increases for the first quarter of 2025 were:

-Sioux County, 40.7%

-Olver County, 27.6%

-McHenry County, 22.7%

-McLean County, 21.4%

-Dunn County, 17.9%

Performance of the top growth categories in the first quarter showed:

-Real estate and rental and leasing, 7.7%

-Mining, oil and gas extraction, 6.9%

-Transportation and warehousing, 6.2%

-Health and social assistance, 2.5%

– Manufacturing, 0.1%

Categories posting declines versus prior year:

-Wholesale trade, 6.1%

-Construction, 8.5%

-Accommodation and food services, 0.5%