Adams
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Adams County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the home price against local income is among the most affordable in America (1.1 years of income), the restaurant count per person is in the top 3% of American counties (1.8 per 1,000), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 4% of American counties ($520 a month). Within North Dakota it ranks 2nd of 53 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Adams County, North Dakota. 2,190 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +38).

North Dakota's income tax is now among the lowest of any state that has one, with a top rate under 2.5% after 2023 cuts funded by oil revenue, and it stopped taxing Social Security in 2021. Housing is inexpensive and the state has the lowest unemployment in the country in most years. Winters are severe, and the Bakken oil economy makes the western counties boom and bust.

Money

The typical household here brings in $57,950 a year, lower than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,272. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 92% of American counties. 17% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $185 a year.

Home

The median home costs $141K, cheaper than 87% of American counties, about 1.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $520 a month. Property tax is 1.00% of home value, roughly $1,095 a year on that median home, higher than 60% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 84% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.3 years, longer than 56% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 54.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 11.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 60% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 56 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 74% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Dakota law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 44°F, highs near 57 and lows near 31, colder than 94% of American counties. About 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 7 out of 100, safer than 93% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 267 Mbps down, faster than 82% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.