What is the capital of North Dakota?

The capital of North Dakota is Bismarck. Fargo is the largest city, known for its thriving arts scene and as an agricultural and trading hub on the Red River.

How many people live in North Dakota?

North Dakota has a population of approximately 779,000 people, making it the 47th most populous state in the U.S.

When was North Dakota admitted to the Union?

North Dakota was admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, becoming the 39th state, on the same day as South Dakota.

What is North Dakota known for?

North Dakota is known as the Peace Garden State, the top U.S. producer of sunflowers, canola, and honey, home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park's rugged Badlands, Fort Mandan (Lewis and Clark wintered here), and the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border.

North Dakota

The Peace Garden State

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BismarckLoading…

Quick Stats

780kPopulation

#47Rank

1889Joined

70.7kArea (mi²)

Map

Seal & Motto

"Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable"

Additional Information

AbbreviationND

Motto Origin

A quote from Senator Daniel Webster, expressing the indivisibility of freedom and national unity.

Adopted 1889.

Official WebsiteNorthDakota.gov

Population Growth

Overview

North Dakota, the 'Peace Garden State,' is a land of extraordinary contrasts — infinite prairie skies above vast golden wheat fields, the brooding volcanic Badlands carved by ancient rivers, and a modern oil economy that transformed it from sleepy frontier to one of the nation's fastest-growing economies in the 21st century.

Historical Significance

North Dakota officially joined the Union on November 2, 1889, as the 39th state — on the exact same day as South Dakota. President Benjamin Harrison deliberately shuffled the proclamation papers so no one would know which state was admitted first. Its history spans from the Mandan and Sioux nations, through the Lewis and Clark Expedition, to the dramatic Bakken oil boom.

Top Cities & Hubs

Fargo

Population: ~130,000

The state's largest city, a thriving cultural and educational hub on the Red River, home to North Dakota State University and a nationally recognized arts and music scene far exceeding its size.

Bismarck

Population: ~75,000

The state capital, situated on a dramatic bluff above the Missouri River, known for its striking 19-story Art Deco capitol skyscraper — unique among state capitols in America.

Grand Forks

Population: ~60,000

Home to the University of North Dakota and a major aviation and aerospace hub, with UAS (drone) research facilities making it a national leader in unmanned aircraft systems.

Minot

Population: ~48,000

Nicknamed "The Magic City" for its seemingly overnight appearance during the railroad era, home to Minot Air Force Base and host to the lively North Dakota State Fair each summer.

West Fargo

Population: ~40,000

One of the nation's fastest-growing small cities, a booming commercial and residential suburb of Fargo with a strong agricultural equipment and manufacturing economy.

Neighbors

Region: Midwest

Capital: Bismarck

Key Landmarks & Economy

Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Three rugged badlands units in western North Dakota where a young Theodore Roosevelt came to grieve and found his conservation calling, featuring bison herds, painted canyons, and wild horses.

Lake Sakakawea: One of the largest man-made reservoirs in the U.S., created by Garrison Dam on the Missouri River, offering 1,500+ miles of shoreline for world-class fishing, boating, and recreation.

Bakken Oil Fields: The Williston Basin's Bakken formation is one of the largest oil deposits in U.S. history, transforming North Dakota into a top-three oil-producing state and driving dramatic economic growth.

Did You Know?

North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted simultaneously on November 2, 1889 — President Harrison shuffled the papers so no one would know which state was officially first.
North Dakota is the leading producer of sunflowers, spring wheat, durum wheat, canola, flaxseed, honey, and dry edible peas in the entire United States.
The state has a missile field — the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base operates Minuteman III ICBMs, making North Dakota a critical component of America's nuclear deterrence.