North Dakota’s Population Could Hit 1 Million by 2040

Think the drop in oil production is going to slow North Dakota's population growth? Think again.

New population forecasts, developed by the North Dakota Census Office, predict that the state's population could reach 800,000 in 2020 and as high as 1,060,000 in 2040.

According to InForum, the state's population jumped from 672,591 in 2010 to 756,927 in 2015.

All of the forecasts assume that people will continue to move to North Dakota in search of work, like they have been over the previous handful of years.

However, it's anyone's guess as to how the slumping oil industry will effect population growth, according to North Dakota Census Office manager Kevin Iverson, who spoke to InForum:

I'm guessing our picture down the road is going to be rosier than we see right now. That said, there is a high level of uncertainty.

North Dakota's population has also been boosted by natural population growth. With all of the younger people moving to the state, there have been more births than deaths in recent years.

You can read more about the North Dakota Census Office's forecasts HERE.

[InForum]