North Dakota is a state with vast natural resources, scenic landscapes, and friendly people. However, not all of its towns are thriving and attractive. Some of them are facing serious challenges such as population decline, economic stagnation, and environmental degradation. Here are seven North Dakota towns that people are fleeing as soon as possible, according to various sources.

1. Tioga

Tioga is a town in Williams County, located in the northwest corner of the state. It was once a booming oil town, but after the oil bust in 2015, it suffered a sharp decline in population and revenue. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Tioga’s population dropped by 9.6% from 2010 to 2020, from 2,216 to 2,002. The town also faced environmental issues such as water contamination, air pollution, and waste disposal from the oil industry. Many residents left Tioga for better opportunities elsewhere, leaving behind vacant houses and businesses.

2. New England

New England is a town in Hettinger County, located in the southwest part of the state. It was founded by German immigrants in 1887 and named after their homeland. However, the town has been losing its population and charm over the years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New England’s population decreased by 4.1% from 2010 to 2020, from 691 to 663. The town also struggled with economic development, as most of its businesses closed or moved away. The main attractions of New England are its historic buildings and its annual Sauerkraut Day, but they are not enough to keep people from leaving.

3. Parshall

Parshall is a town in Mountrail County, located in the north-central part of the state. It is part of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Parshall was another oil boom town that experienced a rapid growth in population and income during the oil boom, but also a steep decline after the oil bust. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Parshall’s population plummeted by 12.8% from 2010 to 2020, from 946 to 825. The town also faced social problems such as crime, drug abuse, and homelessness, as well as environmental problems such as oil spills, flaring, and earthquakes.

4. Cando

Cando is a town in Towner County, located in the northeast part of the state. It is the county seat and the largest town in the county. However, it is also one of the most shrinking towns in the state. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cando’s population plunged by 10.3% from 2010 to 2020, from 1,111 to 996. The town also suffered from economic decline, as its main industries of agriculture and manufacturing declined. The town’s name, which was derived from the phrase “can do”, seems ironic in the face of its challenges.

5. Stanley

Stanley is a town in Mountrail County, located in the northwestern part of the state. It is the county seat and the largest town in the county. Like Tioga and Parshall, Stanley was also affected by the oil boom and bust cycle, but to a lesser extent. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Stanley’s population fell by 13.7% from 2010 to 2020, from 2,351 to 2,028. The town also faced infrastructure problems such as traffic congestion, road damage, and housing shortage, as well as environmental problems such as noise, dust, and odor from the oil industry.

6. New Rockford

New Rockford is a town in Eddy County, located in the central part of the state. It is the county seat and the largest town in the county. However, it is also one of the most declining towns in the state. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Rockford’s population sank by 1.9% from 2010 to 2020, from 1,349 to 1,323. The town also faced economic difficulties, as its main industries of agriculture and retail suffered from low prices and competition. The town’s name, which was chosen to attract settlers from Rockford, Illinois, seems ironic in the light of its population loss.

7. Mandaree

Mandaree is a town in McKenzie County, located in the western part of the state. It is part of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Mandaree was one of the few towns in the state that gained population during the oil boom, but it also faced many negative impacts from the oil industry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mandaree’s population grew by 36.8% from 2010 to 2020, from 500 to 684. However, the town also faced environmental issues such as water contamination, air pollution, and waste disposal from the oil industry. Many residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the oil development and its effects on their land, culture, and health.

Conclusion

These are some of the North Dakota towns that people are fleeing as soon as possible, according to various sources. They are facing various challenges such as population decline, economic stagnation, and environmental degradation. Some of them are related to the oil boom and bust cycle, while others are related to the long-term trends of rural depopulation and urbanization. These towns need more support and investment from the state and federal governments, as well as from the private sector and the local communities, to revitalize their economies, improve their infrastructures, and protect their environments. Otherwise, they may become ghost towns in the near future.