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Bismarck, ND

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Bismarck, ND

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 29
Population74,146
Foreign Born2.3%
Population Density2,048people per mi²
Median Age38.2 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

93/100

7% below national average

A

The Real Cost of Living in Bismarck, North Dakota

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $16k$30k
Comfortable $57k$83k
Luxury $129k+$200k+
Elite (Top 5%) $152k+$235k+
Affordability Ratio

93%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A+
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean94%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
3
Negative
3

Groceries

5 within 10 miles

0.4mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

0.4mi

Airport

CHI St. Alexius Health Heliport

0.5mi

Post Office

USPS — Bismarck, ND

0.3mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf6Nearest 1 mi
Camping20Nearest 3.1 mi
Marina4Nearest 1.8 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 95.9 mi
Gun Range8Nearest 1.2 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$78k+2.1%
3% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$880k
34% above US avg
College Educated
38.7%
11% above US avg
WFH
7.0%
51% below US avg
Homeownership
65.8%
1% above US avg
Median Home
$291k
3% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

Generally safer than 68% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
21.2
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−31.8%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−17.5%
Homicide
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Robbery
0.36 / 1k Residents93% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
1.60 / 1k Residents1% below state avg

Property Crime

5yr−46.2%
Burglary
2.49 / 1k Residents26% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
14.78 / 1k Residents38% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.50 / 1k Residents3% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+18Solidly Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Bismarck, North Dakota
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Inherited from parent state — no local data available.

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B+
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B
Fair8.8% of income
Property Rights
B-
GoodIJ Grade B-
Firearm Rights
B
GoodFPC Grade B
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Net exporter (500% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Growing Season155 days190 frost-free
Annual Rainfall19.3"
Elevation1,677 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
C+
Exposed

Meaningful friction. Expect exposure to either population pressure, blast zones, or natural disaster risk. Consider buying a retreat property.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
A+
Great1393 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor2,048/sq mi
Fallout Danger
F
Poor2 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 152 mi · coast 1019 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$71.8M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityMinneapolis430k people are 383 mi away
Nearest Major AirportNo hub airport within 50 mi
Distance to State Capital0.3 miBismarck, ND
Nearest Prison2.1 mi1 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T09:11:23.000Z

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