Pembina
North Dakota

What stands out

What stands out about Pembina County: the school test score is among the highest in America (3.65 where 3.0 is grade level), the average temperature is in the bottom 2% of American counties (41°F), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 4% of American counties (1.3 years of income). Within North Dakota it ranks 3rd of 48 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Pembina County, North Dakota. 6,853 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -66).

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 $64,243 a year, higher than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,468. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 51% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $307 a year.

Home

The median home costs $143K, cheaper than 86% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $633 a month. Property tax is 1.02% of home value, roughly $1,148 a year on that median home, higher than 61% of American counties. 74% 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 78.2 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 4.4 per 10,000 people. 7.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.39 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than almost every county in America. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 46 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 63% 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 31, colder than 98% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 47 out of 100, safer than 53% of American counties; the county has had 38 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 227 Mbps down, faster than 63% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.