Mountrail
North Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Mountrail County is unusual in three ways: unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.5%), the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), and the average temperature is in the bottom 2% of American counties (41°F). Within North Dakota it ranks 3rd of 53 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Mountrail County, North Dakota. 9,648 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +76).

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 $81,886 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $77,655. Unemployment runs 1.5%, lower than almost every county in America. 5% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $652 a year.

Home

The median home costs $244K, pricier than 54% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $983 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $1,157 a year on that median home, lower than 81% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 68% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 69.8 years, shorter than 96% of American counties. There are 6 active physicians in the county, about 6.2 per 10,000 people. 11.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.59 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 97% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 40 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% 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 53 and lows near 29, colder than 98% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 37 out of 100, safer than 63% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 183 Mbps down, slower than 57% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.