North Dakota achieves a strong composite livability score of 61.5, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. With data available for all 53 counties, the state demonstrates consistent quality of life that outpaces most of the country.

A National Leader in Safety and Health

The state excels in security with a high Risk Score of 77.8 and maintains a robust Health Score of 72.2. Residents also benefit from high earning potential, as evidenced by a solid Income Score of 66.6.

Tax Rates Present a Minor Hurdle

The Tax Score of 48.7 is the state's only dimension to fall below the national midpoint, representing the primary drag on its overall ranking. Despite this, the state remains relatively affordable with a Cost Score of 65.3.

Billings County Sets the Gold Standard

Billings County leads the state with a dominant composite score of 84.1, driven by an exceptional 95.6 Tax Score and high income. Slope and Steele counties also rank in the top three, boasting scores of 77.4 and 75.8 respectively due to their extreme affordability.

A Stronghold for Families and Earners

With its blend of high incomes and low environmental risk, North Dakota is an ideal fit for families seeking financial and physical security. The state's 61.5 composite score confirms its status as a premier destination for a stable, high-quality lifestyle.

All County Rankings in North Dakota

Search, sort, and filter all 53 ranked counties

Showing 1–25 of 53 counties

Rank
1	Billings County	84.1	95.6	71.8	85.1	88.7	78.3	94.1	99.2	86	34.6	66.9	44.7
2	Slope County	77.4	95.2	88.2	46.5	92.3	83.3	31.4	99.4	86	32	59.6	45.6
3	Steele County	75.8	41.6	84.8	84.1	97.5	90.7	52	93.4	86	40.4	61.7	57.1
4	Oliver County	74.1	71.2	69.2	79.9	89.4	91.4	42.4	98.3	86	38.5	64.5	53.9
5	Burke County	72.5	65.1	78.2	94.4	80.9	87	50.3	99	9.4	44.1	61.6	49.3
6	Divide County	72.2	74.8	52.8	91.7	84.4	83.3	70.3	94.2	30.6	41.4	58.1	49.2
7	Nelson County	71.5	53	86.6	62.1	75	79.2	57.1	92.1	86	46.5	63.4	59.4
8	LaMoure County	70.4	40.6	83.3	67.3	89.5	79.3	47.1	89.1	86	43	64	58.3
9	Griggs County	70	44.8	86	53.2	79.8	89.5	41.7	94.9	86	46.6	60.2	60.1
10	Kidder County	69.8	67.8	72.2	44.7	73.7	77.1	59	96.9	86	44	61	59.5
11	McHenry County	69.3	67.1	72.8	84.5	62.6	78.9	70.6	88.3	25.6	40.8	61.4	49.5
12	Pembina County	69	38.1	85.6	58.8	75.6	73.1	66.8	79.1	86	47	68.8	53.3
13	Sioux County	68.4	89	99.1	3.9	94.2	24.9	51.5	37.9	N/A	37.4	63	77.4
14	Wells County	68.2	35.1	85.9	43.2	83.2	86.6	52.5	91.4	39.6	42.4	61.4	57.4
15	Golden Valley County	68.1	43.1	71.1	79.4	68	81.1	70.2	87	86	35	67.5	43.7
16	Logan County	67.4	42.9	65.5	43.2	89.6	78.1	56.9	90.1	86	44.6	62.4	59.3
17	Renville County	66.8	65.7	52.3	78.9	72.4	70	65.5	98.5	86	41.6	73.4	48.9
18	Grant County	66.7	39.6	88.5	29.7	88.1	67.8	44.4	85.2	86	37.3	56.8	52.5
19	Ransom County	66.7	34.4	64.5	76.5	75.7	78	71.3	86.8	86	41	61.2	58
20	Cavalier County	66	23.5	53.5	59.2	80.7	91	76.3	88.2	86	47.8	71.4	56.2
21	Bowman County	64.9	57.3	55.9	87.7	71.9	69.3	56.1	97.9	86	35	54.9	48.1
22	Traill County	64.5	34.8	53	91.1	77.5	83.9	57.2	89	86	44.4	59.6	57.9
23	Foster County	64.3	21.6	65.2	87.2	85.7	74.4	51.8	92.6	86	44.3	57.9	59.4
24	Pierce County	63.9	36	64.7	49	57.6	84.8	74	96.8	86	44.5	57.6	57.2
25	Benson County	63.2	47.5	91.3	62	88.4	30.1	51.5	75.8	12.3	44.9	62.6	57

Billings County

95.671.885.188.778.394.199.28634.666.944.7N/A

84.1

Slope County

95.288.246.592.383.331.499.4863259.645.6N/A

77.4

Steele County

41.684.884.197.590.75293.48640.461.757.1N/A

75.8

Oliver County

71.269.279.989.491.442.498.38638.564.553.9N/A

74.1

Burke County

65.178.294.480.98750.3999.444.161.649.3N/A

72.5

Divide County

74.852.891.784.483.370.394.230.641.458.149.2N/A

72.2

Nelson County

5386.662.17579.257.192.18646.563.459.4N/A

71.5

LaMoure County

40.683.367.389.579.347.189.186436458.3N/A

70.4

Griggs County

44.88653.279.889.541.794.98646.660.260.1N/A

Kidder County

67.872.244.773.777.15996.986446159.5N/A

69.8

McHenry County

67.172.884.562.678.970.688.325.640.861.449.5N/A

69.3

Pembina County

38.185.658.875.673.166.879.1864768.853.3N/A

Sioux County

8999.13.994.224.951.537.9N/A37.46377.4N/A

68.4

Wells County

35.185.943.283.286.652.591.439.642.461.457.4N/A

68.2

Golden Valley County

43.171.179.46881.170.287863567.543.7N/A

68.1

Logan County

42.965.543.289.678.156.990.18644.662.459.3N/A

67.4

Renville County

65.752.378.972.47065.598.58641.673.448.9N/A

66.8

Grant County

39.688.529.788.167.844.485.28637.356.852.5N/A

66.7

Ransom County

34.464.576.575.77871.386.8864161.258N/A

66.7

Cavalier County

23.553.559.280.79176.388.28647.871.456.2N/A

Bowman County

57.355.987.771.969.356.197.9863554.948.1N/A

64.9

Traill County

34.85391.177.583.957.2898644.459.657.9N/A

64.5

Foster County

21.665.287.285.774.451.892.68644.357.959.4N/A

64.3

Pierce County

3664.74957.684.87496.88644.557.657.2N/A

63.9

Benson County

47.591.36288.430.151.575.812.344.962.657N/A

63.2

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Frequently Asked Questions about Counties in North Dakota

Common questions about county rankings and scores in North Dakota.

What is the best county in North Dakota?

Billings County is the top-ranked county in North Dakota with a CountyScore of 84.1/100. It leads the state across the available scoring dimensions, which include Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, Water Quality, Weather & Climate, Soil Quality, Lawn Care, Farmers Markets.

How many counties are ranked in North Dakota?

North Dakota has 53 counties in total. Of those, 53 have been ranked with a composite score based on available data dimensions. The remaining 0 counties do not yet have enough data for a full score.

What factors determine a county's score?

Each county is scored 0–100 across up to eight data dimensions: Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, and Water Quality. The composite score is a weighted average of whichever dimensions have data. Currently available dimensions are: Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, Water Quality, Weather & Climate, Soil Quality, Lawn Care, Farmers Markets. Higher scores are always better — a score of 100 represents the best possible performance for that dimension.

What is the average county score in North Dakota?

The average composite CountyScore across all ranked counties in North Dakota is 61/100. The national average is 50/100, so North Dakota counties score 11 points above the national average.

How does North Dakota compare to other states?

North Dakota's average county score of 61/100 is 11 points above the national average of 50/100. You can compare North Dakota counties to counties in any other state using the county detail pages or the CountyScore compare tool.

Explore County Data by Category

Dive deeper into specific dimensions for counties in North Dakota.

TaxByCountyEffective property tax rate vs national benchmarks CostByCountyMedian rent, home values, and housing affordability IncomeByCountyMedian household income and per capita earnings CrimeByCountyViolent and property crime rates per 100K residents HealthByCountyLife expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access SchoolsByCountyGraduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment RiskByCountyFEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more WaterByCountyEPA drinking water health violations and safety grades WeatherByCountyAverage temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events SoilByCountySoil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content LawnByCountyLawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability MarketsByCountyLocal market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety

Data: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, 2019–2023 ACS — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.

Best Counties in North Dakota — 2026 Rankings

Top Counties in North Dakota

Understanding County Scores in North Dakota

North Dakota Surges Past the National Median