How is the ethnic diversity in North Dakota? (Fargo, Grand Forks: sales, house)

[Dingler]

Are Black people accepted in North Dakota? I was thinking of retiring to Jamestown ND because an old friend had lived there and always talked about how wonderful the people are in that town. He lived all over the United States and said the people in North Dakota were the finest in the United States. He really liked Jamestown where he lived for 7 years.

Though as an African American will I be welcomed and accepted as other people in ND?

[Christine Joan]

Here are some statistics taken directly from the state of North Dakota's website. I haven't lived in North Dakota and am not able to address whether or not it is likely that you will feel welcomed in Jamestown or not. However, the state statistics indicate that racial diversity is increasing in the state, but there is much less of it there than in most other regions of the country. I would think that around the major airforce bases, Grand Forks and Minot, race would not be an issue at all because our armed services are filled with people of all races. What I can say with certainty is that when I reach North Dakota, assuming that you are a nice person and it seems that you are, I will welcome you.


North Dakota

Further information Want more? Browse data sets for North Dakota
People QuickFacts North Dakota USA
Population, 2005 estimate 636,677 296,410,404
Population, percent change, April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 -0.9% 5.3%
Population, 2000 642,200 281,421,906
Persons under 5 years old, percent, 2005 5.8% 6.8%
Persons under 18 years old, percent, 2005 21.4% 24.8%
Persons 65 years old and over, percent, 2005 14.7% 12.4%
Female persons, percent, 2005 50.1% 50.7%

White persons, percent, 2005 (a) 92.3% 80.2%
Black persons, percent, 2005 (a) 0.8% 12.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2005 (a) 5.3% 1.0%
Asian persons, percent, 2005 (a) 0.7% 4.3%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2005 (a) 0.0% 0.2%
Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2005 1.0% 1.5%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2005 (b) 1.6% 14.4%
White persons not Hispanic, percent, 2005 90.8% 66.9%

Living in same house in 1995 and 2000, pct 5 yrs old & over 56.8% 54.1%
Foreign born persons, percent, 2000 1.9% 11.1%
Language other than English spoken at home, pct age 5+, 2000 6.3% 17.9%
High school graduates, percent of persons age 25+, 2000 83.9% 80.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher, pct of persons age 25+, 2000 22.0% 24.4%
Persons with a disability, age 5+, 2000 97,817 49,746,248
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2000 15.8 25.5

Housing units, 2005 304,458 124,521,886
Homeownership rate, 2000 66.6% 66.2%
Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, 2000 24.8% 26.4%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2000 $74,400 $119,600

Households, 2000 257,152 105,480,101
Persons per household, 2000 2.41 2.59
Median household income, 2003 $38,223 $43,318
Per capita money income, 1999 $17,769 $21,587
Persons below poverty, percent, 2003 10.5% 12.5%
Business QuickFacts North Dakota USA
Private nonfarm establishments, 2004 20,8221 7,387,724
Private nonfarm employment, 2004 265,6631 115,074,924
Private nonfarm employment, percent change 2000-2004 4.1%1 0.9%
Nonemployer establishments, 2004 42,804 19,523,741

Total number of firms, 2002 56,781 22,974,655
Black-owned firms, percent, 2002 0.1% 5.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native owned firms, percent, 2002 1.5% 0.9%
Asian-owned firms, percent, 2002 0.5% 4.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander owned firms, percent, 2002 0.0% 0.1%
Hispanic-owned firms, percent, 2002 0.4% 6.8%
Women-owned firms, percent, 2002 23.3% 28.2%

Manufacturers shipments, 2002 ($1000) 6,856,653 3,916,136,712
Wholesale trade sales, 2002 ($1000) 8,806,340 4,634,755,112
Retail sales, 2002 ($1000) 7,723,945 3,056,421,997
Retail sales per capita, 2002 $12,187 $10,615
Accommodation and foodservices sales, 2002 ($1000) 854,656 449,498,718
Building permits, 2005 4,038 2,155,316
Federal spending, 2004 ($1000) 6,034,7991 2,143,781,7272
Geography QuickFacts North Dakota USA
Land area, 2000 (square miles) 68,975 3,537,438
Persons per square mile, 2000 9.3 79.6
FIPS Code 38

[callsnap]

The African American population in ND may have increased. According to the 2000 Census beauro, the population was .85%, now it’s 1.04%. The US avg is around 12%. You mentioned relocation to Jamestown and according to Wikipedia, the population was 15,527 at the 2000 census and it’s the seventh largest city in North Dakota. (see link below)
I’d caution that most of the “diversity” is probably concentrated in larger metro areas and you may find yourself in Jamestown feeling very much the minority. If you read the Jamestown demographics link it’s actually .36% AfAm. So there are about 50 black people in town - if you rely on these demographics.

That said, maybe the majority (Caucasians) are so friendly and receptive that you won’t mind. I suspect you would require a visit to find out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamesto...a#Demographics

[lyanka]

I'm interviewing for a high profile job out in North Dakota in a couple of weeks. I'm African American married to Eur-Asian. I have heard that it is a nice place to raise children and that, while there is not much diversity, it is growing and that the people are welcoming. I will probably live in near a college which might make a difference. On the other hand, my family and I are very much looking for a slower lifestyle. It is something we've talked about for some time. Getting out of the city and away from crime, keeping up with Jones' etc. When I get back from my trip, I'll let you know. If anyone has any insight into the race relations out there, I'd love to hear.

[swampyankee]

Originally Posted by Dingler

Are Black people accepted in North Dakota?

To put it bluntly, no. There are large numbers of Native American Indians in ND and they are by no means welcoming. (The whites and Indians have been at each other throats for generations.)

And since the rest of the state is almost 100 percent white, you will stick out like a sore thumb, and be stared at like a traffic accident wherever you go.

The people have a very strong and unusual accent, which you will not have, making you stand out even more.

Your children will not be happy since you can forget about diversity training for public school teachers, as well as the standard sensitivity type courses that people are required to undergo in so-called diverse areas.

[DaninEGF]

Originally Posted by swampyankee

To put it bluntly, no. There are large numbers of Native American Indians in ND and they are by no means welcoming. (The whites and Indians have been at each other throats for generations.)

And since the rest of the state is almost 100 percent white, you will stick out like a sore thumb, and be stared at like a traffic accident wherever you go.

The people have a very strong and unusual accent, which you will not have, making you stand out even more.

Your children will not be happy since you can forget about diversity training for public school teachers, as well as the standard sensitivity type courses that people are required to undergo in so-called diverse areas.

This is the most ridculous post I have read yet. Have you ever been here? I checked you on your other messages and said "I am from Massachusetts and have a mini farm in Vermont". For someone who lives here, your description is offbase and incorrect. People here are very welcoming of anyone.

Dan

[Jammie]

I agree with Dan. The Dakotas have never been areas to worry about if you aren't white. Yes, we are mainly white, but you will be accepted if you're a friendly and neighborly person. Yes, we do have a lot of Indians, but I'm not sure where Swampyankee gets the idea that we're always at each other's throats.

[swampyankee]

Originally Posted by DaninEGF

This is the most ridculous post I have read yet. Have you ever been here?

Been there? My great, great grandfather emigrated from Wales to Minot and just about everyone in my family is associated with the Air Force base.

I was transferred to Pennsylvania and then to New England by the company I work for, and have lived here so long, I consider myself "from here". That Ok, Sherlock?

There's nothing "ridculous" about my post. It's much better to tell the truth rather than stick your head in the sand and pretend that one of the whitest, loneliest, most isolated places in America is going to be welcoming to a black person. Just ask the four or five blacks that live on the air base. Hell, being a new white person is tough - you'll be "welcomed" like a turd in a pool.

The problem with the native Americans is real and dangerous. They hate just about everyone that isn't one of them. Step onto their land without permission and you'll discover it the hard way.

I believe the question was about North Dakota, not "the Dakotas" or East Grand Forks, MN.

If the truth isn't PC enough - sorry 'bout that.

[Old Surrender]

If you're moving to the Fargo-Moorhead area you'll be fine. Rest of the state, I cannot vouch for.

[lyanka]

Well, I personally thank everyone for their postings here. It helps me to make a big decision for my family. Being from a military family, I am used to being "the only one." I must admit that it has usually been in an area where I can drive at maximum 1 hour to get to others that look like me.