BISMARCK, ND The United States Census Bureau today released the agency’s 2012 national and state population estimates showing growth in North Dakota of 14,888 over the prior year and 27,037 over the official April 1, 2010 actual count. The new estimated population is 699,628 as of July 1, 2012. This is an all time high exceeding the official 1930 count of 680,845.

North Dakota was the fastest growing state by percentage, up 2.2 percent from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012, nearly three times faster than the nation as a whole. It was also the fastest growing state since the April 1, 2010 census count, up 4.0 percent.

“The increase in our population isn’t a surprise considering how our state’s economy and workforce has grown,” said Rod Backman, chairman of the North Dakota Census Committee. “If anything, the estimate is probably low. We continue to work with the U.S. Census by providing them local context in identifying areas where residential population change may be missed in their current population estimates procedure.”

Eight of the last nine years North Dakota has shown population growth, up nearly 67,000 from a decade low of 632,809 reported for 2003. For the year ended June 30, 2012, there were 9,058 births. Inmigration was 11,654 the highest in the last ten years.

“Other economic statistics also indicate strength of the state’s economy,” mentioned Michael Ziesch, Census Committee member and co-manager of the Labor Market Information Center of Job Service North Dakota. “Nonfarm employment estimates, in current period, show an increase of over 20,000 jobs distributed across most industry sectors.”

“A key point people should realize about these estimates is that they refer to residents and not temporary workers or others who view their home residence in another state,” said Kevin Iverson, with the North Dakota Department of Commerce – Census Office. “This is especially important in western North Dakota where town sizes are rapidly increasing and at least some of the growth does not seem to be captured in the Census figures. This highlights a very real challenge for planners and developers who need to consider infrastructure needs for all people in their area, not just residents.”

The North Dakota Census Committee is made up of representatives from the North Dakota Department of Commerce Census Office, State Data Center, the North Dakota Office of Management and Budget, Job Service North Dakota, and the Office of the Tax Commissioner, analyzed the population estimate for the state.

The North Dakota Census Office, within the North Dakota Department of Commerce works with the U.S. Census Bureau to disseminate Census, federal and other informational data sets. It serves as North Dakota’s official source of population and socio-economic statistics.

For additional information, please contact Rod Backman at 701.400.2076.