North Dakota: elevation, cities and highest point
North Dakota has 799,358 people (2025) and 53 counties. Its highest point is White Butte, at 3,506 ft, and its lowest, the Red River of the North, at 750 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 100,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the All Map Tools Team
- Population (2025)
- 799,358
- The 47th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 68,994 sq mi
- The 17th largest state
- Counties
- 53
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 750 ft
- Red River of the North
Map of North Dakota’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Bismarck, sits at 1,695 ft (517 m): the 8th highest of the 50 state capitals. North Dakota’s highest point, White Butte, is 123 mi away in a straight line and 1,811 ft higher.
Between its highest point (3,506 ft) and its lowest (750 ft) there’s 2,756 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, North Dakota’s is the 30th highest.
North Dakota has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Bismarck, at 1,695 ft, and the lowest is Fargo, at 903 ft: 792 ft apart.
North Dakota borders 3 states. Their highest points are Eagle Mountain, in Minnesota (2,301 ft), Granite Peak, in Montana (12,799 ft), and Black Elk Peak, in South Dakota (7,242 ft): North Dakota’s is the 3rd highest of the 4. Their capitals: St. Paul (789 ft), Helena (4,048 ft), and Pierre (1,479 ft).
- White Butte 3,506 ft
- Bismarck 1,695 ft
Cities of 100,000 to 250,000 people (1)
Population
North Dakota had 799,358 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 2.6% more than in April 2020 (779,136). Across 68,994 sq mi of land, that’s 12 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Fargo, with 136,275 people. The Census counts 406 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in North Dakota.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 136,275 | 51.9 sq mi | 903 ft |
| Bismarck | 77,963 | 35.9 sq mi | 1,695 ft |
| Grand Forks | 60,365 | 29.2 sq mi | — |
| Minot | 47,308 | 27.8 sq mi | — |
| West Fargo | 41,175 | 16.2 sq mi | — |
| Williston | 29,522 | 25.7 sq mi | — |
| Dickinson | 25,870 | 13.2 sq mi | — |
| Mandan | 25,061 | 13.5 sq mi | — |
| Jamestown | 15,688 | 13.4 sq mi | — |
| Wahpeton | 8,141 | 5.36 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in North Dakota?
White Butte, at 3,506 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 30th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in North Dakota?
The Red River of the North, at 750 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Bismarck, the capital?
1,695 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 8th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in North Dakota?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 100,000 people), Bismarck, at 1,695 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does North Dakota have?
53, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know