Demographic and economic characteristics of racial minorities (American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut, Black, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian or other) in North Dakota in 1980 are presented, using U.S. Bureau of the Census data. Between 1970 and 1980, the number of racial minority residents increased by 8,900 (48.6%), with the largest gain among the American Indians (40%). Males slightly outnumbered females overall. Half of these residents were under 20, with only 5.3% over 60 years of age. With the exception of the Vietnamese, American Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts, racial minorities had higher educational attainment levels than Whites in the state in 1980, with 61.2% of Asian Indians over the age of 24 having completed 4 years of college. Fertility levels were higher among most racial minorities than those for the general population of North Dakota women. In 1980, 45% of racial minority men, and 31.3% of women were single. Of those 16 years old and over, 57.5% participated in the labor force. Individual minority rates of participation vary considerably (87.1% for Blacks and 52.5% for American Indians). Service occupations employed the largest numbers. Unemployment was 17.1% for combined racial minority groups, more than three times the rate for all North Dakotans. Median household average income varied significantly: $8,173 for Vietnamese, and $25,625 for Filipinos. Nearly 40% of American Indian, Aleut and Eskimo persons were impoverished. Statistical data are included. (JMM)