Nelson County Demographics

A map of Nelson County's Population by Race

Nelson County, North Dakota has an estimated population of 3,016, a less than 1% change from the 3,015 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.6% White, 3.0% Hispanic, 3.0% Multiracial, 1.2% Native American/Other, 0.7% Asian, and 0.5% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Nelson County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Nelson has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Nelson County, that probability was 10.9% in 2020 and 15.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Nelson County is ranked the 34th most populous county in North Dakota, out of 53 counties. Nelson County was ranked the 34th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Nelson County's White Population

2,763 residents of Nelson County, or 91.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Nelson County is higher than in North Dakota overall, where 81.7% of the population is White. Nelson County ranks 10th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. White residents' share of Nelson County's population has decreased from 94.3% to 91.6%.

Nelson County is more White than neighboring Ramsey County (81% White), Walsh County (81.3% White), and Grand Forks County (81.4% White). Nelson County is less White than neighboring Griggs County (93.6% White), and Steele County (94.1% White).

Nelson County's Black Population

14 residents of Nelson County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Nelson County is slightly lower than in North Dakota overall, where 3.3% of the population is Black. Nelson County ranks 39th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson County's Black population has grown by an estimated 133.3%. Black residents' share of Nelson County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Nelson County is more Black than neighboring Steele County (0.2% Black). Nelson County is less Black than neighboring Griggs County (0.8% Black), Ramsey County (0.7% Black), Walsh County (0.8% Black), and Grand Forks County (3.7% Black).

Nelson County's Asian Population

22 residents of Nelson County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Nelson County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Nelson County ranks 38th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 144.4%. Asian residents' share of Nelson County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Nelson County is more Asian than neighboring Griggs County (0.2% Asian), and Steele County (0% Asian). Nelson County is less Asian than neighboring Ramsey County (0.9% Asian), Walsh County (0.9% Asian), and Grand Forks County (2.8% Asian).

Nelson County's Hispanic Population

89 residents of Nelson County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Nelson County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Hispanic. Nelson County ranks 26th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 29.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Nelson County's population has increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.

Nelson County is more Hispanic than neighboring Griggs County (1.8% Hispanic), Ramsey County (2.8% Hispanic), and Steele County (1.9% Hispanic). Nelson County is less Hispanic than neighboring Walsh County (13.1% Hispanic), and Grand Forks County (5.4% Hispanic).

Nelson County's Native American/Other Population

37 residents of Nelson County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Nelson County is slightly lower than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Nelson County ranks 38th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 68.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Nelson County's population has increased from 0.7% to 1.2%.

Nelson County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Griggs County (0.1% Native American/Other), and Steele County (0.8% Native American/Other). Nelson County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Ramsey County (9.7% Native American/Other), Walsh County (1.3% Native American/Other), and Grand Forks County (2.1% Native American/Other).

Nelson County's Multiracial Population

91 residents of Nelson County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Nelson County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4% of the population is Multiracial. Nelson County ranks 46th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 40.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Nelson County's population has increased from 2.2% to 3.0%.

Nelson County is more Multiracial than neighboring Walsh County (2.6% Multiracial). Nelson County is less Multiracial than neighboring Griggs County (3.5% Multiracial), Ramsey County (5% Multiracial), and Grand Forks County (4.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.