Ward County Demographics

A map of Ward County's Population by Race

Ward County, North Dakota has an estimated population of 68,973, a slight decrease from the 69,919 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 80.4% White, 7.2% Hispanic, 5.0% Multiracial, 3.9% Black, 2.0% Native American/Other, and 1.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ward County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ward has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Ward County, that probability was 35.6% in 2020 and 34.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ward County is ranked the 4th most populous county in North Dakota, out of 53 counties. Ward County was ranked the 4th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Ward County's White Population

55,434 residents of Ward County, or 80.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ward County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 81.7% of the population is White. Ward County ranks 46th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ward County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Ward County's population has increased from 79.6% to 80.4%.

Ward County is more White than neighboring Mountrail County (56.3% White). Ward County is less White than neighboring Renville County (94% White), McLean County (88.1% White), McHenry County (94% White), and Bottineau County (89.1% White).

Ward County's Black Population

2,720 residents of Ward County, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ward County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 3.3% of the population is Black. Ward County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ward County's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.7%. Black residents' share of Ward County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Ward County is more Black than neighboring Renville County (0.2% Black), McLean County (0.1% Black), Mountrail County (1.8% Black), McHenry County (0.8% Black), and Bottineau County (0% Black).

Ward County's Asian Population

1,021 residents of Ward County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ward County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Ward County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ward County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 6.1%. Asian residents' share of Ward County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Ward County is more Asian than neighboring Renville County (0.6% Asian), McLean County (1% Asian), Mountrail County (0.6% Asian), McHenry County (0.2% Asian), and Bottineau County (0.5% Asian).

Ward County's Hispanic Population

4,947 residents of Ward County, or 7.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ward County is slightly higher than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Hispanic. Ward County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ward County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Ward County's population has increased from 6.6% to 7.2%.

Ward County is more Hispanic than neighboring Renville County (0.8% Hispanic), McLean County (2% Hispanic), McHenry County (2.2% Hispanic), and Bottineau County (2.6% Hispanic). Ward County is less Hispanic than neighboring Mountrail County (8.6% Hispanic).

Ward County's Native American/Other Population

1,391 residents of Ward County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ward County is slightly lower than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Ward County ranks 16th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ward County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 28.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ward County's population has decreased from 2.8% to 2.0%.

Ward County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Renville County (0.2% Native American/Other), and McHenry County (1% Native American/Other). Ward County is less Native American/Other than neighboring McLean County (5.6% Native American/Other), Mountrail County (28.5% Native American/Other), and Bottineau County (4.8% Native American/Other).

Ward County's Multiracial Population

3,460 residents of Ward County, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ward County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4% of the population is Multiracial. Ward County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Ward County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Ward County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.0%.

Ward County is more Multiracial than neighboring Renville County (4.2% Multiracial), McLean County (3.1% Multiracial), Mountrail County (4.2% Multiracial), McHenry County (1.9% Multiracial), and Bottineau County (3% 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.