BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — North Dakota’s population now stands at a record 796,568 people as of July 1, 2024, the largest increase since 2020, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau Thursday. North Dakota's new population total passes the 2023 estimate of 783,926 residents by 12,642 and represents an increase of 17,474 residents since the 2020 Census. “People continue to discover North Dakota’s abundant job opportunities, low taxes, strong education and health care systems, and unmatched quality of life with world-class outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing,” Armstrong said in a statement about the new census numbers. Burleigh County, home to Bismarck, exceeded 100,000 for the third consecutive year, with an estimate of 103,107 residents. Cass County, home to Fargo, hit the 200,000-resident mark for the first time, with 200,945 people. Both Burleigh and Cass counties lead the state in the number of new residents per year, with Burleigh County gaining an estimated 1,623 residents and Cass County gaining an estimated 1,623 residents. Combined, the two counties represented over 58 percent of the state’s estimated growth. In the North Dakota's oil-producing region, Williams and McKenzie counties – home to Williston and Watford City – led the state in terms of their rate of growth as a percentage of their total population, with Williams gaining 1,459 residents (3.7 percent increase) and McKenzie gaining 500 residents (a 3.5 percent increase). North Dakota has been one of the nation’s fastest-growing states since 2010, increasing its population by more than 18.4 percent since 2010. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW