Brian Kroshus

BISMARCK - North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases decreased in the third quarter, although results varied by industry category, according data released by the State Tax Department Monday.

Taxable sales and purchases from July through September decreased by 0.48 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Taxable sales and purchases totaled $7.22 billion, versus $7.26 billion in the prior year.

“Results for the quarter were mixed, with seven of the top 15 economic sectors measured experiencing improvement versus prior year, including retail, the state’s largest revenue category, which produced a 3 percent increase,” Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus said in a news release. “Conversely, the remaining eight measured posted small to moderate year-over-year declines, including mining and oil and gas extraction, which were down 4.2 percent.”

Performance of the top growth categories in the third quarter showed utilities, 12.4%; real estate, rental and leasing, 5.9%; and professional, scientific and technical services, 5.5%; construction, 4.5%; and retail trade, 3%;

Categories’ posting declines over the previous year were manufacturing, 9.7%; finance and insurance, 6.4%; mining, oil and gas extraction, 4.2%; wholesale trade, 2.4%; and accommodation and food services, 2.3%.

“The state experienced a degree of economic divergence this past quarter, in part reflective of our commodity-based economy, which is directly influenced by oil and crop pricing, which continue to trend lower,” Kroshus said. “Whether third quarter performance signals a momentary pause in growth or the emergence of a prolonged slowdown won’t be fully known until we move beyond the current year and into 2026.

“In addition to the commercial and industrial space, the health of the North Dakota consumer remains a key indicator of the state’s economic health and that aspect will continue to be monitored,” he added. “Household discretionary spending, including the level of holiday purchases in the weeks ahead, particularly in our larger towns and cities serving as key, regional shopping hubs, will provide more clues on what we might expect in the upcoming year from a revenue collection perspective.”

Percent changes for the third quarter of 2025, compared to the third quarter of 2024, for the largest cities in North Dakota showed Dickinson up 9.7% and Jamestown up 6.4%. Other cities showed declines, including Grand Forks, 2.9%; Fargo, 1.4%; Williston, 0.8%; Minot, 0.2%; and Bismarck, 0.1%.

Of the 50 largest communities in North Dakota, the highest percentage of increase occurred in Burlington, 32%; Crosby, 31.5%; Lisbon, 23.9%; New Town, 43.2%; and Oakes, 22.2%.

Counties with the highest percentage increases were Benson, 23.5%; Burke, 19%; Dickey, 24.1%; Divide, 27.7%; and Traill, 14.6%.