Changes in North Dakota’s age distribution from 2000 to 2008 indicate losses in the number of children ages 0 to 17 (11.1 percent) and the work force-age population of those 25 to 44 (11.4 percent).

Population projections through 2020 suggest continued losses in both age groups.

This month’s “Population Bulletin,” a monthly publication from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, presents the July 1, 2008, population estimates by selected age groups as released by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch.

From 2000 to 2008, only one North Dakota county (Cass) experienced a growth in the number of children ages 0 to 17 (10.6 percent). The majority of counties (38 of 53) had losses of at least 20 percent. Sheridan and Towner counties lost half of the child residents during this time.

“Recent estimates also indicate an increase in births since 2000,” said Richard Rathge, State Data Center director. “Unfortunately, the slight upswing in births does not offset the overall downward trend in the child population for our state.”

While there were losses in the child and working-age populations, North Dakota’s young adults (ages 18 to 24) grew 13 percent from 2000 to 2008, preretirees (45 to 64) grew 20 percent and the state’s oldest residents (85 and older) grew 20.7 percent.

While the number of young adults grew during the past eight years, projections indicate that with fewer children aging into this age group, the numbers will begin to fall. Likewise, as baby boomers (the large age group born during the 20-year period after World War II) enter retirement, the 45-to-64 age group will decline as well.

However, as the baby boom generation ages, the 65-to-84 age group will grow considerably. Despite shifts in the age composition throughout the state, the overall population in North Dakota dropped 0.1 percent from 2000 to 2008, a decline of 719 people.

NDSU Agriculture Communication