Nelson
North Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Nelson County is unusual in three ways: the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.1 years of income), the average temperature is in the bottom 2% of American counties (41°F), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 4% of American counties ($525 a month). Within North Dakota it ranks 5th of 53 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Nelson County, North Dakota. 3,025 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +0).

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 $62,219 a year, higher than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,926. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 67% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

North Dakota takes 0.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $268 a year.

Home

The median home costs $150K, cheaper than 84% of American counties, about 1.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $525 a month. Property tax is 0.80% of home value, roughly $856 a year on that median home, lower than 56% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 94% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 9.9 per 10,000 people. 7.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 80% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 25 points. 79% 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 51 and lows near 30, colder than 98% of American counties. About 20 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 15 out of 100, safer than 85% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 189 Mbps down, slower than 55% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.