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North Dakota

North Dakota

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 32
Population779,361
Foreign Born2.6%
Population Density11people per mi²
Median Age35.7 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2000, this state's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

82/100

18% below national average

A+
Affordability Ratio

110%

The Real Cost of Living in North Dakota

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $15k$28k
Comfortable $47k$69k
Luxury $135k+$209k+
Elite (Top 5%) $159k+$246k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
B
Good

Solid upper-middle-class performance. The area runs slightly ahead of national economic benchmarks.

Median HHI
$76k+2.7%
1% above US avg
Avg Net Worth
$833k
27% above US avg
WFH
7.3%
49% below US avg
Homeownership
63.4%
3% below US avg
Median Home
$241k
14% below US avg
Avg HH Debt
$17k
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate
10.6%
8% below US avg
Public Assistance
7.3%
38% below US avg
Unemployment
2.8%
24% below US avg
Median Rent
$934
20% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

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

Crime Rate
16.4
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−24.4%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−15.0%
Homicide
0.01 / 1k Residents78% below US avg
Robbery
0.18 / 1k Residents72% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
1.61 / 1k Residents40% below US avg

Property Crime

5yr−33.8%
Burglary
1.97 / 1k Residents27% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
10.68 / 1k Residents24% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.46 / 1k Residents48% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+18Solidly Conservative
State Legislature of North Dakota
North Dakota Senate5D · 42R
North Dakota House11D · 83R
Presidential Voting Trends for North Dakota
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

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 Season152 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall19.0"statewide average
Elevation1,838 ftstatewide average

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
A
Resilient

Strong survivability profile. Good buffer from population centers, with manageable environmental and tactical risks.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in North Dakota

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T01:27:35.000Z

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