Poll: North Dakota pride, satisfaction sky high

North Dakotans are overwhelmingly proud of their state and satisfied with their lives, with pride rooted in safety, community and faith, the latest North Dakota Poll commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative shows. 

Asked if they were proud to be a North Dakotan, a total of 91% said they were. 

Questioned about what they were most proud of, 32% said it was because the state is a safe place to live, 29% said it was because of the people in their communities, and 27% said it was due to values centered around faith and family. 

“It’s just nice to see that,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said. “When 91% of North Dakotans are proud to be from North Dakota, it makes me even more proud to be the governor.” 

As an example of something that gives him pride, Gov. Armstrong said that when SNAP benefits went away and the state worked with the Great Plains Food Bank and directed $1.5 million in state funds to support food assistance programs, one of the remarkable things he saw was how regular people donated time, money and goods to the effort. 

“(It highlights) the capacity of North Dakotans to step up and help out,” Armstrong said. 

Armstrong said he’s proud the state leads in long-term gross domestic product growth and economic output and is a top oil producer with low unemployment.

“As tough as the ag numbers have been, it’s really nice to see those numbers,” Armstrong said. 

Armstrong also remarked on the strong pride younger people have in the state, which was steady with overall numbers. 

“That gives you a better shot of keeping them here,” he said. 

Only 4% said their main reason for being proud to be a North Dakotan was because elected leaders hold their values, and only 3% said it was because of the quality education in schools. 

A total of 84% indicated they were either very or somewhat satisfied with their lives at the moment, according to the poll. 

While 22% said they were less happy now than a year ago, a sizable majority at 66% said they remain optimistic about the year ahead. 

Arik Spencer, CEO and president of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, said the optimism is grounded in strong fundamentals. 

“North Dakota’s economy continues to outperform much of the nation, with strong employment, continued growth, and a comparatively low risk of recession,” he said. “Those strengths help families and businesses better weather inflation than in many other states.”

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, said she felt the high pride and optimism reflected on the culture of respect and decorum in the state. 

“Things are still functioning in routine ways that in many of the places in the nation we don’t see, particularly in Washington, D.C.,” Hogan said.

Hogan said she was surprised at how high optimism figures were, but was not surprised people were so proud of being from North Dakota. 

“I love the fact that people feel it’s a safe place to live, they like the people they’re around, and the values,” Hogan said. 

Gov. Armstrong said figures like this could help attract more people to move to the state and part of that is microtargeting toward the right people.

“I think we can do a better job of that,” Armstrong said. “If we think about things a little differently, and do things the same way we’re doing them, I think we’ll have success.” 

The North Dakota Poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida from Dec. 10-13 2025. A total of 625 North Dakota adult residents were interviewed statewide by telephone. The poll has an error margin of + or - 4%. 

The North Dakota Poll is the only regular, non-partisan statewide survey of eligible North Dakota voters and consumers. 

The North Dakota News Cooperative is a nonprofit news organization providing reliable and independent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state. For more information about NDNC or to make a charitable contribution, please visit newscoopnd.org. Send comments, suggestions or tips to michael@newscoopnd.org. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NDNewsCoop.