Prepping for prolonged growth

Anticipated 6 percent annual growth rate prompts continual expansions in Dick inson

BY KRIS BEVILL

Dickinson, N.D., is expected to experience an annual growth rate of up to 6 5 percent through 2020, prompting continued expansion of the city IMAGE: KLJ

Dickinson, N.D., has been at or near the top of many national lists lately some good, some not so good.

After experiencing a 5 percent annual growth rate the past few years, the U S Census recently ranked Dickinson the second fastest-growing micropolitan in the nation (Williston, N.D.’s more than 10 percent growth rate skyrocketed it to the top of the chart) The best-guess current population of Dickinson is now somewhere between 25,000 and 28,000 people, compared to fewer than 18,000 in 2010. A study conducted by researchers at North Dakota State University predicts Dickinson’s growth rate will continue at up to 6 5 percent through 2020

As is the case in nearly every community throughout the region, the influx of new residents has led to a housing shortage, which contributed to the city’s least favorite new statistic the nation’s fourth most expensive place to live, according to ApartmentGuide com The apartment rental website released data earlier this year claiming that the average rent for a 700square-foot one-bedroom apartment in Dickinson costs more than $1,700 per month (Williston topped that list as well, with an average rent for a same-size apartment costing more than $2,300 )

Unemployment is virtually non-existent, hiking the local minimum wage to double that of the state’s official minimum wage “Effectively, our