McKenzie
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set McKenzie County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%), population growth is in the top 4% of American counties (+2.6% a year), and homeownership is in the bottom 5% of American counties (56%). Within North Dakota it ranks 14th of 53 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in McKenzie County, North Dakota. 14,081 people live here with you. The population grew 2.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +216).

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 $83,813 a year, higher than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $90,997. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $689 a year.

Home

The median home costs $375K, pricier than 83% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,170 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $1,392 a year on that median home, lower than 94% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.0 years, longer than 52% of American counties. There are 7 active physicians in the county, about 5.0 per 10,000 people. 7.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 88% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 67 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 58% 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 56 and lows near 31, colder than 94% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 52 out of 100, riskier than 52% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 159 Mbps down, slower than 67% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.