Most African American cities in North Dakota research summary. We used Saturday Night Science to analyze North Dakota’s most recent Census data to determine the blackest cities in North Dakota based on the percentage of Black residents. Here are the results of our analysis:
-
The city with the largest African American population in North Dakota is Fargo based on the most recent Census data.
-
Fargo is 8.48% Black.
-
The least African American city in North Dakota is Devils Lake.
-
Devils Lake is 0.86% Black.
-
North Dakota is 3.2% Black.
-
North Dakota is the 38th blackest state in the United States.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The Black community is one of the fastest-growing communities in America this decade.
Roughly 42 million people identifying as Black or African American live in the United States, making up 12% of the total population. According to the most recent American Community Survey, the Black population in North Dakota is 24,882 – at 3.2% of the total population of North Dakota.
The percentage growth of Blacks in America is the third largest percentage change for any race according to the Census’s race and ethnicity definition. Most scholars and historians agree that increasing diversity in America is a good thing.
We agree.
But how has the increase in the black population impacted North Dakota? Which cities and towns in North Dakota have seen the greatest increase in its Black population?
We broke down the most recent census data to determine the cities in North Dakota with the largest African American population in 2024:
Most African American Places In North Dakota
What’s the blackest city in North Dakota? The city with the largest Black population in North Dakota for 2024 is Fargo. See if Fargo ranked as one of the most african american places in America.
And if you already knew these places were Black, check out the best places to live in North Dakota or the most diverse places in North Dakota.
The 10 Blackest Cities In North Dakota For 2024
1. Fargo
/10
Population: 127,319
% African American: 8.48%
# Of African American Residents: 10,799
Percent Change Since 2010: 372.6%
More on Fargo: Data | Cost Of Living
2. Williston
/10
Population: 27,783
% African American: 7.16%
# Of African American Residents: 1,989
Percent Change Since 2010: 12331.25%
More on Williston: Data | Cost Of Living
3. Minot
/10
Population: 48,038
% African American: 4.34%
# Of African American Residents: 2,087
Percent Change Since 2010: 207.82%
More on Minot: Data | Cost Of Living
4. Grand Forks
/10
Population: 58,935
% African American: 4.25%
# Of African American Residents: 2,507
Percent Change Since 2010: 161.42%
More on Grand Forks: Data | Cost Of Living
5. Dickinson
/10
Population: 25,116
% African American: 3.0%
# Of African American Residents: 753
Percent Change Since 2010: 960.56%
More on Dickinson: Data | Cost Of Living
6. West Fargo
/10
Population: 38,653
% African American: 2.86%
# Of African American Residents: 1,106
Percent Change Since 2010: 72.54%
More on West Fargo: Data | Cost Of Living
7. Valley City
/10
Population: 6,558
% African American: 2.82%
# Of African American Residents: 185
Percent Change Since 2010: 6066.67%
More on Valley City: Data | Cost Of Living
8. Bismarck
/10
Population: 73,694
% African American: 2.53%
# Of African American Residents: 1,861
Percent Change Since 2010: 586.72%
More on Bismarck: Data | Cost Of Living
9. Jamestown
/10
Population: 15,850
% African American: 2.52%
# Of African American Residents: 400
Percent Change Since 2010: 716.33%
More on Jamestown: Data | Cost Of Living
10. Mandan
/10
Population: 24,049
% African American: 1.76%
# Of African American Residents: 424
Percent Change Since 2010: 934.15%
More on Mandan: Data | Cost Of Living
Methodology: How We Determined The Cities In North Dakota With The Largest Black Population For 2024
We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the Census. So that’s where we went to get the race breakdown across North Dakota.
That leads us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2018-2022 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: Hispanic OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- Hispanic or Latino
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
Our particular column of interest was the number of people who identified as Black or African American.
We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 6,000 people in North Dakota. That left us with 12 cities.
We then calculated the percentage of residents that are Black or African American. The percentages ranked from 8.5% to 0.9%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percentage of the Black population, with a higher score being more Black than a lower score. Fargo took the distinction of being the most Black, while Devils Lake was the least African American city.
We updated this article for 2024. This is our tenth time ranking the cities in North Dakota with the largest African American population.
Read on for more information on how the cities in North Dakota ranked by population of African American residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
Summary: Black Populations Across North Dakota
If you’re looking for a breakdown of African American populations across North Dakota according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
The blackest cities in North Dakota are Fargo, Williston, Minot, Grand Forks, Dickinson, West Fargo, Valley City, Bismarck, Jamestown, and Mandan.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least African American places in North Dakota:
- Devils Lake
- Wahpeton
- Mandan
For more North Dakota reading, check out:
- Worst Places To Live In North Dakota
- Most Dangerous Cities In North Dakota
- Best Places To Live In North Dakota
African American Population By City In North Dakota
| Rank | City | Population | African American Population | % African American |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | 127,319 | 10,799 | 8.48% |
| 2 | Williston | 27,783 | 1,989 | 7.16% |
| 3 | Minot | 48,038 | 2,087 | 4.34% |
| 4 | Grand Forks | 58,935 | 2,507 | 4.25% |
| 5 | Dickinson | 25,116 | 753 | 3.0% |
| 6 | West Fargo | 38,653 | 1,106 | 2.86% |
| 7 | Valley City | 6,558 | 185 | 2.82% |
| 8 | Bismarck | 73,694 | 1,861 | 2.53% |
| 9 | Jamestown | 15,850 | 400 | 2.52% |
| 10 | Mandan | 24,049 | 424 | 1.76% |
| 11 | Wahpeton | 7,983 | 124 | 1.55% |
| 12 | Devils Lake | 7,192 | 62 | 0.86% |
Thanks for the breakdown. I currently live im Marietta Georgia and was considering moving to North Dakota primarily due to the income potential as a commercial truck driver. I’m African American, any advise on were NOT to go in ND. Thanks