North Dakota’s taxable sales grew by about 3 percent in 2017, compared with 2016.
Taxable sales and purchases totaled $17.9 billion in 2017 – up from $17.3 billion in 2016.
What we really saw was stronger commodity prices, specifically oil prices," said North Dakota Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger. "That really helped lift the sales tax base in North Dakota."
Rauschenberger said it’s modest growth, but it shows the the economy continuing to improve after the post-oil boom drops.
Rauschenbger said while there was significant growth in sales tax in the West, there were some slight declines in sales in the Central and Eastern parts of the state. Rauschenberger saidthat's likely due to low agriculture prices.
"It's important to notice the taxable sales numbers are becoming more regional," Rauschenberger said. "We see most of the growth in the west, but in the rest of the state, it's flat or down a bit. We're keeping an eye on that."
Here are results from some of North Dakota's larger cities:
· Bismarck – 3.9 percent decrease
· Dickinson – 14.67 percent increase
· Fargo – 5.45 percent decrease
· Grand Forks – 1.76 percent decrease
· Minot – 3.74 percent decrease
· Williston – 24.45 percent increase