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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Bismarck, ND vs Grand Forks, ND

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Bismarck spends 126.9% more per capita than Grand Forks ($7,926/person difference). Bismarck, ND has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 60/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Bismarck, ND
Pop. 73,694
C
60/100
Budget Balance66
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Grand Forks, ND
Pop. 58,935
C
57/100
Budget Balance6
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Bismarck
Grand Forks
Total Spending
$1.0B
$368.0M
Spending / Capita
$14,170
$6,244
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$49.3M
Revenue / Capita
$25,559
$836
Total Debt
$110.4M
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,499
$0
Population
73,694
58,935
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Bismarck$0
Grand Forks$1,224
Fire Protection
Bismarck$663
Grand Forks$500
Highways & Roads
Bismarck$123
Grand Forks$0
Parks & Recreation
Bismarck$1,065
Grand Forks$0
Health
Bismarck$404
Grand Forks$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

BismarckGrand Forks
Sales Tax
$998
$0
Income Tax
$1,341
$0
Intergovernmental
$5,654
$5,633
Charges & Fees
$2,652
$0
Other
$3,626
$625

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

BismarckGrand Forks
Police
$0
$1,224
Fire Protection
$663
$500
Highways & Roads
$123
$0
Public Welfare
$1,581
$621
Health
$404
$0
Hospitals
$26
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,065
$0
Housing
$3,590
$1,057
Sewerage
$143
$0
Utilities
$2,252
$1,216
Interest on Debt
$725
$0
Other
$3,599
$1,627
C
Bismarck, ND
Fiscal Health Score: 60/100
Average fiscal health
C
Grand Forks, ND
Fiscal Health Score: 57/100
Average fiscal health

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