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Oil rigs, semitrucks, hard hats and work boots. Those are sights one would expect to see in McKenzie County, the largest oil-producing county in the United States, situated in the heart of western North Dakota’s Bakken Formation. If you were to take a closer look, past the hustle and bustle characteristic of this place and its transient population, one may be surprised to find a groundswell of something far different than Bakken crude: local unity, local strength and local pride.

As the 2020 U.S. Census prepares to officially launch in March, recruiters are seeking more than 1,000 workers in cities and counties across North Dakota.

The US Census Bureau is looking for temporary workers to help with the count.

Preliminary reports indicate that North Dakota had 98 motor vehicle fatalities in 2019 – a total that, if it goes unchanged, would be the first time in 17 years the state has recorded fewer than 100 traffic fatalities. Gov. Doug Burgum thanked the agencies involved in the Vision Zero traffic safety initiative for making a difference and expanding their efforts during the past year.

Census workers still are needed in some areas of North Dakota as the federal government prepares to fill about 1,200 jobs in the state before the 2020 count begins.

“You Count in 2020,” the Richland Complete County Committee reminds North Dakota residents.

Composed of residents from Richland County, North Dakota, the committee was formed to educate on the importance of the 2020 United States Census.

North Dakota’s population hit a new record high in 2019. The latest census estimate pushes the state’s headcount to 762,062 as of July 1st. That’s an increase of 3,982 from last year’s revised estimate.

About 2,000 qualifying North Dakota children enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will transition to traditional Medicaid coverage and have access to more health and dental benefits beginning Jan. 1, 2020. This change will happen automatically, and families can expect a seamless transition with no gaps in coverage. 

The City of Minot will be launching a campaign in January to encourage residents to be counted when the national census officially rolls out in March.

North Dakota's population reached a record this year, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau estimate.