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← How Shell ranks

North Dakota rankings · People

Oldest towns in North Dakota

Ranked by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. 24 towns with 2,500+ residents.

Other ND lists

Cost of livingMost affordable Cheapest rent Lowest property tax

SchoolsBest schools Highest graduation rate

IncomeHighest income

PeopleMost educated Youngest Oldest Most residents 65+Most kids

Getting aroundShortest commute

GrowthFastest growing

HousingVacation-home towns Most new homes Fastest-rising home prices

WorkMost remote workers

OutdoorsMost conserved land Most trails Most walkable

HealthHealthiest Lowest obesity Fewest smokers Most active Fewest uninsured Lowest depression Closest to a top hospital

ClimateSnowiest Least snow Mildest winters Hottest summers Coolest summers Longest growing season Wettest

ShellNot on this list

Shell has fewer than 2,500 residents, the floor for ND lists.

Grafton43.2 · Population 4,102

Jamestown40.7 · Population 15,787

Burleigh CountyHay Creek40.6 · Population 4,348

All 24 towns

Median age, highest first. Towns next door to Shell are tagged.

#TownMedian agePopulationHome value

1 Grafton4,102 people 43.2 4,102$147,300

2 Jamestown15,787 people 40.7 15,787$199,800

3 Hay CreekBurleigh County · 4,348 people 40.6 4,348$459,700

4 Valley City6,541 people 39.4 6,541$162,200

5 Bismarck75,556 people 38.9 75,556$300,300

6 Apple CreekBurleigh County · 3,490 people 38.2 3,490$411,700

7 GibbsBurleigh County · 2,836 people 38.0 2,836$474,600

8 Devils Lake7,308 people 37.3 7,308$164,900

9 Beulah3,040 people 36.7 3,040$203,300

10 Mandan24,522 people 36.1 24,522$259,800

11 Wahpeton8,010 people 34.7 8,010$171,300

12 Horace4,588 people 33.9 4,588$414,500

13 Minot47,791 people 33.5 47,791$257,100

14 West Fargo40,094 people 33.3 40,094$321,900

15 Dickinson25,357 people 33.3 25,357$263,700

16 Casselton2,953 people 32.9 2,953$278,400

17 Lincoln4,381 people 32.8 4,381$278,900

18 Williston28,056 people 32.0 28,056$286,200

19 Fargo131,627 people 31.8 131,627$281,900

20 Grand Forks59,042 people 29.6 59,042$249,900

21 Watford City6,039 people 28.8 6,039$408,500

22 New Town2,721 people 28.2 2,721$207,600

23 Minot AFB4,878 people 22.6 4,878—

24 TatmanWard County · 2,730 people 22.6 2,730—

How it works

How this ranking works

The ND list, with the map →

We rank every town by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for North Dakota as a whole is 35.9.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

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