Total Federal Spending
$98.4B
FY2025 obligations
North Dakota Federal Spending
$98.4B in FY2025 federal spending, $126,315 per capita.
$98.4B total · $126,315 per capita · FY2025 · Ranked #22 total, #1 per capita · 707.3% above national avg
In FY2025, North Dakota received $98.4B in federal spending - $126,315 per capita, ranking #1 among 57 states and 707.3% above the national average. The most common award type is direct payments, accounting for 84.3% of tracked awards. The top spending agency is Department of Health and Human Services.
North Dakota · FY2025
North Dakota received $98.4B in federal spending in FY2025 - $126,315 per resident, 707.3% above the national average, with direct payments the largest award category.
- Total federal spending
- $98.4B
- #22 of 57 states
- Per resident
- $126,315
- #1 per capita
- Counties receiving funds
- 53
- place of performance
- Top agency
- Dept. of Health and Human Services
- $89.7B
According to USASpending.gov, the official federal award-transaction dataset, the federal government directed $98.4B to North Dakota in FY2025, translating to $126,315 per resident across a population of 779,094. That per-capita figure is 707.3% above the $15,647 national average and ranks North Dakota #1 of 57 states per capita, while total-dollar rank is #22, illustrating the difference between volume of federal dollars and intensity of federal dependence.
The award-type mix shows how federal awards break down in North Dakota by count: 3,595 contracts, 3,451 grants, 3,217 loans, and 72,712 direct payments. The most common award type is direct payments at 84.3% of tracked awards in the state, with contracts a distant second at 3,595 awards. Department of Health and Human Services is the single largest federal agency operating in North Dakota, with $89.7B in obligations - more than Social Security Administration's $3.4B.
Over the available history, federal spending in North Dakota has grown 7.5% from $91.5B in FY2020 to $98.4B in FY2025. Combined with 53 counties receiving dollars and top recipient North Dakota Department of Human Services at $1.4B, this snapshot lets readers judge whether North Dakota's federal footprint is expanding, stable, or being scaled back relative to FY2025.
It helps to read state totals through two different lenses. Total dollars measure the raw volume of federal money flowing into a state, which naturally favors larger and more populous states. Per-capita spending measures intensity, how much federal money lands per resident, and it surfaces smaller states whose economies lean heavily on federal installations, contracts, or transfer payments. The two rankings often disagree, which is exactly why both appear above. The award mix matters too: contracts signal procurement of goods and services, grants flow to universities, nonprofits, and local governments, and direct payments include programs such as Social Security and Medicare that scale with population. Every figure comes from USASpending.gov, the federal spending-transparency system the U.S. Treasury has operated since the DATA Act of 2014. Federal outlays exceeded $7.0 trillion in fiscal year 2025 (CBO Monthly Budget Review), and these are official government records rather than estimates, though late-posted and corrected awards can adjust a state's totals after the year closes. Our methodology details the per-capita denominator, the award categories, and the data vintage.
Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) + System for Award Management (SAM) North Dakota federal awards (contracts, grants, loans, direct payments) for FY2025 · 2025 USAspending.gov publishes award-level data within ~30 days of obligation; categories follow OMB Object Class Codes. Per-capita metrics use Census ACS population estimates as the denominator.
Key Statistics
Total Spending
$98.4B
Rank #22
Per Capita
$126,315
Rank #1
Population
779,094
Contract Awards
3,595
Grant Awards
3,451
Per Capita
$126,315
Rank #1
Counties Receiving
53
federal dollars
Top Agency Share
$89.7B
Department of Health and Human
North Dakota award-type mix by count (FY2025)
North Dakota per-capita federal spending vs. national average 83.3%
National average
Compared against the national average of $15,647 per resident.
Awards by Type
Direct Payments is the most common award type at 84.3% of tracked awards in North Dakota (by count, not dollar value).
Direct Payments 72,712 awards (84.3%)
Contracts 3,595 awards (4.2%)
Grants 3,451 awards (4.0%)
Other 3,294 awards (3.8%)
Loans 3,217 awards (3.7%)
Comparison to National Average
| Metric | North Dakota | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Capita Spending | $126,315 | $15,647 | +707.3% |
| Contracts Share | 0.0% | - | - |
| Grants Share | 0.0% | - | - |
Top Federal Agencies in North Dakota
Federal agencies ranked by total spending in North Dakota during FY2025.
| # | Agency | Spending | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Health and Human Services | $89.7B | 91.1% |
| 2 | Social Security Administration | $3.4B | 3.5% |
| 3 | Department of Agriculture | $2.4B | 2.5% |
| 4 | Department of Transportation | $650.1M | 0.7% |
| 5 | Department of Veterans Affairs | $507.0M | 0.5% |
| 6 | Department of Defense | $402.1M | 0.4% |
| 7 | Department of Education | $308.3M | 0.3% |
| 8 | Department of the Interior | $293.6M | 0.3% |
| 9 | Environmental Protection Agency | $152.6M | 0.2% |
| 10 | Department of Commerce | $131.2M | 0.1% |
| 11 | Department of Housing and Urban Development | $128.3M | 0.1% |
Top Recipients in North Dakota
Organizations and entities receiving the most federal funds in North Dakota.
| # | Recipient | Total Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota Department of Human Services | $1.4B |
| 2 | Basin Electric Power Cooperative | $628.1M |
| 3 | North Dakota Department of Transportation | $527.7M |
| 4 | Minnkota Power Cooperative, INC. | $314.5M |
| 5 | Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC | $236.1M |
| 6 | North Dakota Department of Public Instruction | $194.1M |
| 7 | North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality | $142.0M |
| 8 | State of North Dakota | $124.9M |
| 9 | North Dakota Department of Commerce | $98.0M |
| 10 | McGough Construction CO., LLC | $94.1M |
| 11 | Three Affiliated Tribes | $88.0M |
| 12 | Standing Rock Sioux Tribe | $72.6M |
| 13 | North Dakota State University | $63.3M |
| 14 | North Dakota, State Of | $63.1M |
| 15 | University of North Dakota | $59.7M |
| 16 | Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians | $58.8M |
Spending Trends
Federal spending in North Dakota increased 7.5% from FY2020 to FY2025.
| Fiscal Year | Total Spending | Per Capita | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | $98.4B | $126,315 | 779,094 |
| FY2024 | $90.2B | $115,782 | 779,094 |
| FY2023 | $82.0B | $105,254 | 779,094 |
| FY2022 | $70.9B | $91,051 | 779,094 |
| FY2021 | $76.3B | $97,900 | 779,094 |
| FY2020 | $91.5B | $117,466 | 779,094 |
Counties in North Dakota
53 counties ranked by federal spending in FY2025.
| # | County | Total Spending | Per Capita | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cass County | $89.3B | $483,874 | 184,525 |
| 2 | Burleigh County | $1.5B | $15,671 | 98,458 |
| 3 | Grand Forks County | $973.0M | $13,298 | 73,170 |
| 4 | Ward County | $571.0M | $8,166 | 69,919 |
| 5 | Stutsman County | $252.2M | $11,682 | 21,593 |
| 6 | Morton County | $246.5M | $7,403 | 33,291 |
| 7 | Rolette County | $203.2M | $16,670 | 12,187 |
| 8 | Williams County | $201.2M | $4,914 | 40,950 |
| 9 | Stark County | $190.1M | $5,649 | 33,646 |
| 10 | Richland County | $167.5M | $10,136 | 16,529 |
| 11 | Sioux County | $148.2M | $38,019 | 3,898 |
| 12 | Ramsey County | $148.0M | $12,750 | 11,605 |
| 13 | Mclean County | $146.3M | $14,975 | 9,771 |
| 14 | Mckenzie County | $135.5M | $9,218 | 14,704 |
| 15 | Benson County | $124.3M | $20,844 | 5,964 |
| 16 | Mountrail County | $115.6M | $11,782 | 9,809 |
| 17 | Barnes County | $115.2M | $10,613 | 10,853 |
| 18 | Pembina County | $106.1M | $15,502 | 6,844 |
| 19 | Traill County | $101.6M | $12,705 | 7,997 |
| 20 | Walsh County | $100.2M | $9,489 | 10,563 |
| 21 | Bottineau County | $98.0M | $15,362 | 6,379 |
| 22 | Cavalier County | $96.7M | $26,116 | 3,704 |
| 23 | Mercer County | $69.3M | $8,296 | 8,350 |
| 24 | Wells County | $67.3M | $16,894 | 3,982 |
| 25 | Ransom County | $66.0M | $11,566 | 5,703 |
| 26 | Mchenry County | $63.1M | $11,813 | 5,345 |
| 27 | Dickey County | $62.8M | $12,569 | 4,999 |
| 28 | Burke County | $55.3M | $25,124 | 2,201 |
| 29 | Nelson County | $54.8M | $18,169 | 3,015 |
| 30 | Pierce County | $53.7M | $13,464 | 3,990 |
| 31 | Lamoure County | $53.6M | $13,084 | 4,093 |
| 32 | Sargent County | $53.5M | $13,847 | 3,862 |
| 33 | Adams County | $51.1M | $23,248 | 2,200 |
| 34 | Emmons County | $50.7M | $15,346 | 3,301 |
| 35 | Dunn County | $45.8M | $11,189 | 4,095 |
| 36 | Billings County | $38.7M | $40,921 | 945 |
| 37 | Divide County | $35.7M | $16,267 | 2,195 |
| 38 | Mcintosh County | $35.0M | $13,832 | 2,530 |
| 39 | Towner County | $34.6M | $16,023 | 2,162 |
| 40 | Bowman County | $33.7M | $11,243 | 2,993 |
| 41 | Kidder County | $33.6M | $14,035 | 2,394 |
| 42 | Griggs County | $33.5M | $14,548 | 2,306 |
| 43 | Steele County | $31.7M | $17,633 | 1,798 |
| 44 | Grant County | $31.0M | $13,452 | 2,301 |
| 45 | Renville County | $29.7M | $12,998 | 2,282 |
| 46 | Eddy County | $29.2M | $12,425 | 2,347 |
| 47 | Foster County | $27.2M | $8,008 | 3,397 |
| 48 | Oliver County | $27.1M | $14,419 | 1,877 |
| 49 | Hettinger County | $25.0M | $10,049 | 2,489 |
| 50 | Sheridan County | $22.1M | $17,500 | 1,265 |
| 51 | Logan County | $16.2M | $8,662 | 1,876 |
| 52 | Slope County | $13.5M | $19,079 | 706 |
| 53 | Golden Valley County | $13.0M | $7,476 | 1,736 |
Explore North Dakota Federal Spending
Go deeper on North Dakota's federal footprint.
DOGE Impact for North Dakota
Reported federal contract and grant terminations, claimed savings, per-capita impact, and state ranking.
DOGE state impact →
Per-Capita Rankings
Where North Dakota ranks among all states for federal spending per resident.
Top Federal Agencies
The agencies that move the most money nationwide, by obligated amount.
Federal Spending Guides
Learn more about how federal spending works and how to interpret this data.
Understanding Federal Spending
Contracts, grants, loans, and how federal money flows to states and communities.
Why Spending Varies by State
Military bases, federal labs, population, and per capita analysis.
Where Does Federal Money Go?
Mandatory vs. discretionary, top agencies, and biggest programs.
How Federal Contracts Are Awarded
Procurement process, contract types, and small business set-asides.
States With Similar Per Capita Spending
States with per capita federal spending closest to North Dakota's $126,315.
What this means
North Dakota ranks #1 of 57 states by FY2025 per-capita federal spending.
- Per-capita spending is 707.3% above the national average -- a structural signal, not a claim about efficiency or need. Per-capita rankings
- Department of Health and Human Services is the single largest federal agency operating here, obligating 91.1% of every dollar tracked in North Dakota. Agency rankings
- 53 counties in North Dakota receive federal dollars -- the county-level pages break down exactly where. See counties
Per-capita and national-average figures use each state's most recent Census population estimate against the same FY total; they describe HOW money is distributed, not whether that distribution is justified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much federal spending did North Dakota receive in FY2025?
North Dakota received $98.4B in total federal spending during Fiscal Year 2025. This equates to $126,315 per capita for the state's population of 779,094.
How does North Dakota's federal spending per capita compare to the national average?
North Dakota's per capita federal spending of $126,315 is 707.3% above the national average of $15,647. North Dakota ranks #1 out of 57 states by per capita spending.
What is the largest category of federal spending in North Dakota?
The most common award type is direct payments, accounting for 72,712 awards (84.3% of tracked awards). The second-largest is contracts at 3,595 awards.
Which federal agencies spend the most in North Dakota?
The top federal agency spending in North Dakota is Department of Health and Human Services with $89.7B. Followed by Social Security Administration ($3.4B) and Department of Agriculture ($2.4B).
How many counties in North Dakota receive federal spending?
53 counties in North Dakota receive federal spending. The county receiving the most is Cass County with $89.3B.
How has federal spending in North Dakota changed over time?
Federal spending in North Dakota increased by 7.5% from FY2020 ($91.5B) to FY2025 ($98.4B).
Where does North Dakota rank nationally in federal spending?
North Dakota ranks #22 out of 57 states in total federal spending and #1 in per capita spending. The state received $98.4B total ($126,315 per person) in FY2025.
Data Sources
- USASpending.gov: Federal spending data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Fiscal Year: FY2025
- Award types: Contracts, grants, loans, direct payments, and other financial assistance
- Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimates used for per capita calculations
- Budget context: Agency totals cross-referenced with OMB Program and Financial Schedules where applicable
Spending figures represent obligated amounts from federal awards. Per capita calculations use Census population estimates. This information is for research and informational purposes only.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and presented.
Every figure on PlainSpending is computed directly from USASpending.gov award-transaction data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page aggregates every county-level federal award within the state, live from the dataset. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.