- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Mandan Today
By the People, for the People
North Dakota's 10 Most Religious Counties Revealed
From Dickey to Burleigh, these are the holiest parts of the Peace Garden State.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
North Dakota may not be part of the Bible Belt, but it is still one of the most religious states in the country. According to a new analysis, the 10 most religious counties in the state are Dickey, McKenzie, Richland, Stark, Morton, Ward, Grand Forks, Cass, and Burleigh. These areas are known for their strong Catholic, Lutheran, and evangelical Christian presence, with high rates of church attendance and religious affiliation.
Why it matters
Religion plays a major role in North Dakota's culture and identity, with many residents viewing it as an integral part of their communities. Understanding which parts of the state are the most religious can provide insight into the state's political leanings, social dynamics, and economic priorities, as faith often shapes these aspects of local life.
The details
To determine the holiest counties in North Dakota, the analysis looked at regular church attendance, religious affiliation rates, and the number of congregations per capita. The top 10 counties all scored highly in these metrics, with Burleigh County, home to the state capital of Bismarck, ranking as the most religious overall due to its large number of Catholic and Lutheran churches and high levels of religious adherence.
- The analysis was conducted in early 2026.
The players
Dickey County
A county in southeastern North Dakota known for its strong presence of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations.
McKenzie County
A county in western North Dakota with multiple religious congregations that have deep ties to the local community.
Burleigh County
The county containing the state capital of Bismarck, Burleigh County has the highest total number of religious congregations in North Dakota, with a large Catholic and Lutheran presence.
What they’re saying
“Religion is woven into the fabric of life here in North Dakota. It's not just about going to church on Sundays - it's about how we live our daily lives and make decisions as a community.”
— Sarah Johnson, Lifelong North Dakota Resident (supertalk1270.com)
The takeaway
North Dakota's religious devotion sets it apart from much of the country, with certain counties standing out as particularly pious. This deep faith shapes the state's culture, politics, and economy in profound ways, making it an important factor to understand for those seeking to engage with North Dakota communities.
