Foster
North Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Foster County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is in the bottom 2% of American counties (41°F), population growth is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.1% a year), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within North Dakota it ranks 16th of 53 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Foster County, North Dakota. 3,388 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -65).

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 $78,426 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,351. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 94% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $584 a year.

Home

The median home costs $188K, cheaper than 68% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $642 a month. Property tax is 1.22% of home value, roughly $1,949 a year on that median home, higher than 73% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 93% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.9 years, longer than 74% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 5.9 per 10,000 people. 5.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.25 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 89% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 71% 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 98% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 18 out of 100, safer than 82% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 263 Mbps down, faster than 80% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.