Golden Valley
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Golden Valley County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.6%), the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), and life expectancy is among the longest in America (87.4 years). Within North Dakota it ranks 4th of 53 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Golden Valley County, North Dakota. 1,734 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3).

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 $84,750 a year, higher than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,707. Unemployment runs 1.6%, lower than almost every county in America. 2% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $707 a year.

Home

The median home costs $190K, cheaper than 67% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $890 a month. Property tax is 0.81% of home value, roughly $1,157 a year on that median home, lower than 55% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 90% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 87.4 years, longer than almost every county in America. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.98 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 57% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 68 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 44°F, highs near 57 and lows near 31, colder than 93% of American counties. About 20 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 5 out of 100, safer than 95% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 19 Mbps down, slower than almost every county in America. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation.