North Dakota Area Profiles
9 published city profiles across North Dakota, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
OpportunityTop 6% of 51 states72
Growth38th of 51 states42
Housing affordabilityTop 20% of 51 states97
Climate44th of 51 states51
Physical resilienceTop 32% of 51 states67
Access46th of 51 states0
Economic stabilityTop 24% of 51 states66
Cities
9 published profiles across 7 areasFargo, ND-MN
2 cities
| City | County | Population | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | Cass County | 131,627 | 68 |
| West Fargo | Cass County | 40,094 | 69 |
Bismarck, ND
2 cities
Strongest opportunity
- Grand Forks 81
- Bismarck 78
- West Fargo 77
- Minot 77
- Fargo 74
Fastest development
- Fargo 63
- Bismarck 63
- Grand Forks 61
- Minot 52
- Mandan 51
Statewide physical risk
Winter weatherElevated
HailElevated
Ice stormElevated
Cold waveElevated
WildfireModerate
Strong windElevated
TornadoModerate
Low or minimal exposure: inland flooding, landslide, lightning, heat wave, drought, earthquake.
Population-weighted across every county in North Dakota, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.28 | Bottom 4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±1,699 | 331,063 | Bottom 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.2 | 35.9 | Bottom 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 784,841 | Bottom 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 11/sq mi | Bottom 6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Home price to income | 3.26 | Bottom 25% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.9% | Bottom 12% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±282 | 377,281 | Bottom 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$11 | $954 | Bottom 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$2,909 | $249,900 | Bottom 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income | 14.9% | Bottom 1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 12.3% | Top 33% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$1,163 | $76,657 | Bottom 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$579 | $43,389 | Top 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | Bottom 37% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 19.2 min | Bottom 2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | Bottom 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 424,911 | Bottom 8% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | 1.9% | Top 12% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.2% | Top 32% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 434,171 | Bottom 8% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 68.6% | Top 6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | -0.5% | Bottom 22% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1% | Bottom 2% | July 2026 |