Benson
North Dakota

What stands out

If you had to describe Benson County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), life expectancy is among the shortest in America (62.2 years), and the average temperature is among the coldest in America (41°F). Within North Dakota it ranks 8th of 53 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Benson County, North Dakota. 5,960 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -50).

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 $63,220 a year, higher than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,294. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 69% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

North Dakota takes 0.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $288 a year.

Home

The median home costs $147K, cheaper than 85% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $450 a month. Property tax is 1.02% of home value, roughly $810 a year on that median home, higher than 62% of American counties. 72% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 77% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 62.2 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 3.4 per 10,000 people. 8.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.51 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 91% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 10 points. 43% 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 41°F, highs near 52 and lows near 30, colder than almost every county in America. About 17 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 20 out of 100, safer than 80% of American counties; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 188 Mbps down, slower than 55% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation.