(The Center Square) – North Dakota is home to one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to a report showing population and housing trends over the last few years, Billings County’s housing stock increased by 6.1% from 2022 to 2023. It tied Wasatch County, Utah, for the fourth-fastest-growing county nationwide.
At the top was Falls Church, Virginia, which increased its housing stock by 13.5% during that period.
Most states experienced housing unit growth, with the nation adding 1.6 million units between July 2022 and July 2023.
North Dakota has an estimated 380,841 housing units as of 2023, the report said.
The state has seen its population increase in several of its largest cities since 2020, though not everywhere is gaining.
Fargo grew from 125,952 residents to 133,188 – an increase of 7,236 residents.
West Fargo crossed the 40,000-population mark, gaining 1,768 more residents. The city had 38,632 residents in April 2020 compared to 40,400 in July 2023.
Bismarck gained 1,466 residents, representing a 2% increase in three years. Mandan gained 400 people, a 1.7% increase.
Elsewhere, population numbers dipped, according to the report.
Grand Forks’ population dropped by 0.4% from April 2020 to July 2023, representing a loss of 248 residents. Minot lost 1,012 people – a 2.1% decrease. Dickinson also experienced a 2.1% population decrease, losing 544 residents.
Williston was among the 100 cities that saw the largest percentage decrease in their populations. The city experienced a 5% drop in its population, losing 1,463 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
