Steele County Demographics

A map of Steele County's Population by Race

Steele County, North Dakota has an estimated population of 1,804, a less than 1% change from the 1,798 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.1% White, 3.0% Multiracial, 1.9% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, 0.2% Black, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Steele County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Steele 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 Steele County, that probability was 8.3% in 2020 and 11.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Steele County is ranked the 49th most populous county in North Dakota, out of 53 counties. Steele County was ranked the 49th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Steele County's White Population

1,697 residents of Steele County, or 94.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Steele County is considerably higher than in North Dakota overall, where 81.7% of the population is White. Steele County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Steele County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.4%. White residents' share of Steele County's population has decreased from 95.7% to 94.1%.

Steele County is more White than neighboring Griggs County (93.6% White), Grand Forks County (81.4% White), Traill County (89.3% White), Barnes County (89.4% White), and Nelson County (91.6% White).

Steele County's Black Population

3 residents of Steele County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Steele County is slightly lower than in North Dakota overall, where 3.3% of the population is Black. Steele County ranks 40th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Steele County's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Steele County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Steele County is less Black than neighboring Griggs County (0.8% Black), Grand Forks County (3.7% Black), Traill County (1% Black), and Nelson County (0.5% Black).

Steele County's Asian Population

0 residents of Steele County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Steele County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Steele County ranks 49th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Steele County's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Asian residents' share of Steele County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Steele County is less Asian than neighboring Griggs County (0.2% Asian), Grand Forks County (2.8% Asian), Traill County (0.6% Asian), Barnes County (2% Asian), and Nelson County (0.7% Asian).

Steele County's Hispanic Population

35 residents of Steele County, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Steele County is slightly lower than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Hispanic. Steele County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Steele County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Steele County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.9%.

Steele County is more Hispanic than neighboring Griggs County (1.8% Hispanic). Steele County is less Hispanic than neighboring Grand Forks County (5.4% Hispanic), Traill County (4% Hispanic), Barnes County (2.1% Hispanic), and Nelson County (3% Hispanic).

Steele County's Native American/Other Population

15 residents of Steele County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Steele County is slightly lower than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Steele County ranks 50th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Steele County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 114.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Steele County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Steele County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Griggs County (0.1% Native American/Other). Steele County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Grand Forks County (2.1% Native American/Other), Traill County (1.3% Native American/Other), Barnes County (1.8% Native American/Other), and Nelson County (1.2% Native American/Other).

Steele County's Multiracial Population

54 residents of Steele County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Steele County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4% of the population is Multiracial. Steele County ranks 50th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Steele County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 74.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Steele County's population has increased from 1.7% to 3.0%.

Steele County is less Multiracial than neighboring Griggs County (3.5% Multiracial), Grand Forks County (4.7% Multiracial), Traill County (4% Multiracial), and Barnes County (4.5% 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.