RANK #91 / 996 · POP 98,443 · ND
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.0%
Burleigh County, North Dakota, is defined by its seat, Bismarck, the state capital, which stands along the Missouri River. Bismarck is notable for its Art Deco State Capitol building, the tallest in North Dakota, and for having its major shopping center, Kirkwood Mall, located downtown rather than in the suburbs. The county, situated in the temperate grasslands of the Great Plains, offers a blend of urban amenities and rural landscapes. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with opportunities for hiking, boating, and fishing along the Missouri River and in parks like McDowell Dam Recreation Area and General Sibley Park. Life in Burleigh County offers a community feel, with many families and young professionals residing there. Public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy is supported by sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Recent economic developments include significant investment in data centers, contributing to the region's growth. The county's population has seen a historic increase, and while housing construction has responded, challenges in affordability persist for some residents.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Aurum Bismarck Campus (AI Data Center)
Aurum Capital Ventures
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Baldwin Wind Energy Center
Baldwin Wind, LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Burleigh County Road and Bridge System Improvements
Burleigh County Highway Department
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Burleigh County has a Boom Town Index score of 91/100, ranking #91 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $82,141, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Burleigh County is $302,300 with median rent at $975/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2717, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed +5.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.56% of Burleigh County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.