Barnes
North Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Barnes County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is in the bottom 4% of American counties (42°F), high-school completion is in the top 7% of American counties (95%), and violent crime is in the bottom 8% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000). Within North Dakota it ranks 29th of 53 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Barnes County, North Dakota. 10,826 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -19).

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 $64,447 a year, higher than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,625. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 91% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

North Dakota takes 0.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $311 a year.

Home

The median home costs $200K, cheaper than 63% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $852 a month. Property tax is 1.03% of home value, roughly $1,628 a year on that median home, higher than 62% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 92% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.5 years, longer than 58% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 11.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 6.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.26 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 83% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 28 points. 66% 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 42°F, highs near 53 and lows near 31, colder than 96% of American counties. About 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 47 out of 100, safer than 53% of American counties; the county has had 35 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 250 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.