What Does North Dakota Import The Most?

We see semi trucks and trains, and planes coming and going from the state of North Dakota all of the time.

Have you ever wondered what's in them? What does North Dakota import the most?

If so, you're in luck, a company called Visual Capitalist put together a state-by-state map using census data to show what each state imports the most.

(Also See: Discover the Rail Lines Still Powering Through North Dakota)

Electronics? Cars? What is it?

You might not find this too surprising, but North Dakota's biggest import is industrial machinery. North Dakota actually imported 1.1 billion dollars worth of heavy machinery last year (2024).

Yes, with all of the farms throughout North Dakota we do need a lot of heavy machinery. Makes sense!

Highest Import in the U.S.?

With all of the tariff talk lately, I'm sure you're also curious what the biggest import is in the United States.
,
According to the source, the United States is importing cars and auto equipment the most, they have the highest import value in 14 states. Computers and electronics have the second highest import value in the U.S.

(Also See: Did You Know North Dakota Has 4 Different State Animals?)

What about our neighboring states?

With all of the farmland, it makes sense that South Dakota also has industrial machinery as its number one import, though they import much less than North Dakota ---only $359 million.

The source says the number one import in Minnesota is energy. Surprised?

Ever wonder what downtown Bismarck used to look like? Let's do a little then and now!