The age distribution of North Dakota’s population has changed considerably during the last several decades.

The result of these changes is reflected in the median age, which rose from 25.7 years in 1940 to 37 years in 2010, an increase of 11.3 years. Since 2000, North Dakota’s median age rose by 0.8 year.

Nationally, the median age rose from 25.7 years in 1940 to 35.3 years in 2000 and to 37.2 years in 2010.

This month’s “Population Bulletin,” a monthly publication from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, presents the census 2010 data for population by selected age groups.

In 1940, children ages 0 to 17 were 36 percent of North Dakota’s total population. This proportion decreased to 22 percent in 2010. In contrast, seniors ages 65 and older were 6 percent of the state’s total population in 1940 but increased to 15 percent in 2010.

Current energy development activities in western North Dakota are affecting the age distribution in a way that counters the overall state trend. From 2000 to 2010, the median age decreased in three of North Dakota’s 53 counties. The three counties, Mountrail, McKenzie and Williams, are in western North Dakota.

“This reflects the significant influx of younger workers to the area,” says Richard Rathge, State Data Center director. “For example, in 2007, there were an estimated 2,000 workers in the oil patch. By 2010, the number of workers ballooned to 12,750. Recent survey estimates suggest this number is now closer to 19,000 workers.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication