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Developed

Developed

Description and Key Features

Developed areas are dominated by constructed materials such as buildings and roads, residential areas, commercial or industrial centers, transportation and utility corridors, and may include intensively modified open areas such as golf courses and parks (Figure 27). While some vegetation may be present, these areas are typically dominated by man-made structures.

North Dakota’s population was estimated at 796,568 in 2024, with more than half living in urban areas.

There are about 107,000 miles of roads, including paved, gravel and unsurfaced roads.

While the actual road surfaces do not function as habitat, the adjacent ditches or roadsides can play a key role in providing habitat for some species, especially in areas where natural habitat is limited.

Developed land totals nearly 1.9 million acres and covers 4.2% of the state.

Developed Lands Map

Figure 27 - Map showing developed land in North Dakota

Figure 27. Developed land (purple), including towns and cities, roads, railroads, industrial and energy facilities.


Developed Lands Images

People near an urban pollinator garden

Pollinator garden in developed urban area.

Upland game birds by a gravel road

Upland game birds using roadsides.


Associated Species

Note: Species listed here include SWAP SGCN and game species.

Species Image Species Taxon Subtaxon or Group
American kestrel on old fence post American Kestrel Birds Landbird
Brown thrasher on fence post Brown Thrasher Birds Landbird
Harris’s Sparrow Harris’s Sparrow Birds Landbird
Loggerhead Shrike Loggerhead Shrike Birds Landbird
Big Brown Bat flying Big Brown Bat Mammals Bat
Little Brown Bat Little Brown Bat Mammals Bat
Plains Hog-nosed Snake Plains Hog-nosed Snake Reptiles Snake
Snapping Turtle Snapping Turtle Reptiles Turtle

Information on this page is from the draft 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan and is subject to revision prior to final approval of that plan.