Ward
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Ward County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the average temperature is in the bottom 2% of American counties (41°F), home internet speed is in the top 6% of American counties (294 Mbps), and unemployment is in the bottom 9% of American counties (2.3%). Within North Dakota it ranks 21st of 53 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ward County, North Dakota. 69,532 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,072).

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 $78,143 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $60,491. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 91% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $579 a year.

Home

The median home costs $281K, pricier than 64% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $963 a month. Property tax is 1.07% of home value, roughly $2,666 a year on that median home, higher than 65% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 86% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.6 years, longer than 71% of American counties. There are 181 active physicians in the county, about 26.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.12 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 65% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 45 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 55% 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 52 and lows near 30, colder than 98% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 76 out of 100, riskier than 76% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 294 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 14 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 6 museums.