Stark
North Dakota

What stands out

If you had to describe Stark County in numbers, start here: unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%), the average temperature is in the bottom 5% of American counties (43°F), and the school test score is in the top 7% of American counties (3.43 where 3.0 is grade level). Within North Dakota it ranks 13th of 53 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Stark County, North Dakota. 32,989 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +30).

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 $78,734 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $72,320. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

North Dakota takes 0.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $590 a year.

Home

The median home costs $317K, pricier than 73% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $950 a month. Property tax is 0.88% of home value, roughly $2,248 a year on that median home, higher than 51% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 86% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.0 years, longer than 85% of American counties. There are 39 active physicians in the county, about 11.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 7.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.33 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 93% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 63 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% 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 20 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 59 out of 100, riskier than 59% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 228 Mbps down, faster than 63% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.