Hettinger
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Hettinger County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.7%), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 5% of American counties (1.3 years of income). Within North Dakota it ranks 8th of 53 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hettinger County, North Dakota. 2,477 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +7).

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 $66,797 a year, higher than 67% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,717. Unemployment runs 1.7%, lower than almost every county in America. 11% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $357 a year.

Home

The median home costs $147K, cheaper than 85% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $779 a month. Property tax is 1.09% of home value, roughly $1,217 a year on that median home, higher than 66% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.6 years, longer than 71% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.81 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 60% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 65 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 65% 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 43°F, highs near 56 and lows near 30, colder than 95% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 32 out of 100, safer than 68% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 170 Mbps down, slower than 63% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.