Latest estimates from the US Census Bureau indicate North Dakota's population has reached an all time high.
Census Office Manager at North Dakota's Department of Commerce, Kevin Iverson, says the current population is at 760,077, a difference of just over 4,900. He says the modest growth can be attributed to three things; Iverson says North Dakota's birth rate remains high at around 10-thousand a year, the 3rd highest birth rate in the country. He also says its death rate remains low, and migration into the state has turned back to positive albeit slightly. He says people come and stay in North Dakota due to the strong economy and low cost of living.
"Our population is driven by the economy, so I take the very positive economy we've seen - all the stories in terms of the labor shortage, and employers not being able to find enough workers. I think people are here because they're finding economic opportunity, they're finding jobs, and the quality of life is good - so that's part of the story."
Iverson says he's optimistic that trends continue to point to modest growth in regard to inward migration to North Dakota in the coming months and years - though he says it's unlikely to return to high levels from a decade ago.