Monday, February 26, 2024 - 10:00am

Today, Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus released the 2023 annual and fourth quarter taxable sales and purchases reports. 

2023 Annual Taxable Sales and Purchases
The calendar year 2023 taxable sales and purchases totaled $26.7 billion, an 11.5% increase, from the $24.1 billion total in 2022.

 “The North Dakota economy performed well during the 2023 calendar year, marking the second consecutive year with double-digit increases in taxable sales and purchases,” Kroshus stated. “While overall results were impressive, it’s worth noting that year-over-year gains for each respective quarter in 2023, became less pronounced as the year progressed.”

Of the 15 major industry sectors, 14 reported an increase in taxable sales and purchases when compared to 2022. Most notably, the Wholesale Trade sector increased by over $842 million (a 14.4% increase), the Mining and Oil Extraction sector increased by $836 million (a 37.5% increase), and the Retail Trade sector saw an increase of $333 million (a 3.9% gain).

“Annual gains in 14 of 15 major industry sectors again illustrate both the strength and diversity of North Dakota’s economy. The first and second quarters performed exceptionally well before posting more moderate and normalized gains in quarters three and four,” said Kroshus. “These moderated gains are indicators of a trend that may continue moving forward.”

The annual report includes data for the largest 200 cities in North Dakota and all 53 counties. 

Of the 200 largest cities in North Dakota, the highest percent increases for 2023 (compared to 2022) were as follows:

  • Reiles Acres – Increase of 326.3%

  • Litchville – Increase of 167.7%

  • Rutland – Increase of 126.9%

  • New Town – Increase of 80.3%

  • Arnegard – Increase of 78.5%

North Dakota’s largest cities saw the following percentage changes when compared to 2022’s annual report: 

  • Williston – Increase of 20.9%

  • Dickinson – Increase of 17.8%

  • Minot – Increase of 8.9%

  • Grand Forks – Increase of 4.8%

  • Bismarck – Increase of 3.3%

  • Fargo – Increase of 0.9%

Counties with the highest percent increases for 2023 (compared to 2022) included:

  • Golden Valley – Increase of 46.7%

  • Mountrail – Increase of 41.3%

  • Divide – Increase of 37.7%

  • Williams – Increase of 21.3%

  • Grant – Increase of 21.4%

2023 Fourth Quarter Taxable Sales and Purchases

Taxable sales and purchases for October, November, and December 2023 totaled more than $6.8 billion, an increase of more than 4.6%. 

The fourth quarter report includes data for the largest 50 cities in North Dakota and all 53 counties. Of the 50 largest cities in the state, the highest percent increases (compared to the fourth quarter of 2022) were Belfield, Beulah, Crosby, Grafton, and Surrey. Counties with the highest percent increases (compared to the fourth quarter of 2022) were Billings, Divide, Golden Valley, Hettinger, and Steele. 

Of the 15 major industry sectors, 12 reported an increase when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

The complete 2023 annual and the 2023 fourth quarter North Dakota Sales and Use Tax Statistical Reports can be accessed online at www.tax.nd.gov/data.

For more information on North Dakota tax-related programs, please visit the Office of the State Tax Commissioner’s website at tax.nd.gov and connect with us on social media.