Wells
North Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Wells County is unusual in three ways: the average temperature is among the coldest in America (41°F), the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income), and the restaurant count per person is in the top 3% of American counties (1.9 per 1,000). Within North Dakota it ranks 10th of 53 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wells County, North Dakota. 3,990 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -14).

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 $59,732 a year, lower than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,991. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 61% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $220 a year.

Home

The median home costs $133K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $574 a month. Property tax is 1.09% of home value, roughly $1,137 a year on that median home, higher than 66% 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 86% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.8 years, longer than 90% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 12.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 6.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.14 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 50% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 77% 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 29, colder than almost every county in America. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 10 out of 100, safer than 90% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 201 Mbps down, faster than 51% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.