In a recent Joint House/Senate Floor Session, North Dakota lawmakers celebrated the state's remarkable population growth over the past two decades, attributing this success to innovative policies and the booming oil and gas industry.

Twenty years ago, North Dakota's population stood at 634,000, a significant decline from its 1930 figures. However, the introduction of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the Bakken Shale formation has revitalized the state's economy and led to an influx of residents. According to the latest Census Bureau data, North Dakota's population has surged to 796,568, marking an increase of over 162,000 people since 2004.

Lawmakers highlighted that this growth has effectively restored the population equivalent to the city of Grand Forks multiple times. They credited the state's conservative leadership and pro-business policies for creating an environment conducive to such expansion.

As the session concluded, the sentiment among legislators was one of optimism. They emphasized that while North Dakota may not be the largest state, its residents possess a strong sense of community and a willingness to embrace new ideas. This growth not only reflects a thriving economy but also a commitment to the future of North Dakota, as leaders look forward to continuing this positive trend.