CountyScore

Cavalier County

North Dakota · ND

#36 in North Dakota
73.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Cavalier County, North Dakota

Cavalier County outpaces national peers

Cavalier County's composite score of 73.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 48%, placing it among the stronger livable counties nationally. This performance reflects particularly strong affordability and health infrastructure relative to U.S. averages.

Right at the heart of North Dakota

With a score of 73.7, Cavalier County sits just 1.1 points below North Dakota's state average of 74.8, making it a representative county for the state's livability profile. It ranks in the solid middle tier of North Dakota's county landscape.

Affordability and resilience shine

Cavalier County leads with an exceptional cost score of 81.2, backed by low median home values ($122,300) and modest rents ($859/month). Its impressive risk score of 88.2 signals strong economic stability, and health outcomes (80.9) rank among the county's best attributes.

Income levels lag behind state

The county's income score of 27.2 is notably low, with a median household income of $67,064 trailing state benchmarks. This makes it less attractive for high earners or families seeking maximum income growth opportunities.

Ideal for budget-conscious, risk-averse residents

Cavalier County is built for families seeking maximum affordability, economic stability, and healthcare access without prioritizing high incomes. It's especially suited to retirees, young couples building wealth, or anyone valuing financial security and low cost of living over earning potential.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax67.2Cost81.2SafetyComing SoonHealth80.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.2Risk88.2WaterComing Soon
🏛67.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cavalier County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pickens County
Alabama
73.7
Median income: $47,014
Montgomery County
Arkansas
73.7
Median income: $49,015
Pike County
Arkansas
73.7
Median income: $51,000
Union County
Florida
73.7
Median income: $64,922
Valley County
Idaho
73.7
Median income: $76,125

Deep Dives

Cavalier County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cavalier County

via TaxByCounty

Cavalier County taxes rank in top 25 nationally

Cavalier's 1.246% effective tax rate places it in the 77th percentile nationwide—among the highest-taxing counties in America. Yet the median property tax is just $1,524, reflecting the county's lower median home values compared to the national median of $281,900.

Highest effective tax rate in North Dakota

Cavalier County leads all 53 North Dakota counties with a 1.246% effective tax rate, well above the state average of 0.885%. This makes it the priciest county in the state relative to home value.

Neighbors pay less despite lower home values

Eddy County (0.889%) and Emmons County (0.899%) both sit near state average, while even nearby Cass County pays a lower rate at 1.212%—wait, that's higher. Cavalier stands alone as the state's steepest tax burden, even as median home values remain modest.

Median tax: $1,524 on $122,300 home

Cavalier County homeowners with a median home value of $122,300 pay approximately $1,524 in annual property tax. Those with mortgages typically pay $1,670, while owners without mortgages average $1,449.

Assessment appeals could save you money

Given Cavalier's outsized tax rate, it's worth checking if your home was fairly assessed. Many county assessors overvalue properties, and filing an appeal—which is free—may result in a lower assessment and immediate tax relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cavalier County

via CostByCounty

Cavalier rents strain incomes above national baseline

Cavalier County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% exceeds the national median, placing affordability pressure on renters despite a below-average household income of $67,064. At $859 monthly, rents consume a larger wage share here than typical across the United States, signaling tighter housing affordability for the county's renters.

Cavalier's rents rank above North Dakota average

At 15.4%, Cavalier County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's highest, exceeding North Dakota's 12.8% average by 2.6 percentage points. With median rent at $859—nearly $90 above the state median of $770—Cavalier presents one of the state's tightest rental markets relative to local earnings.

Cavalier renters pay more than most neighbors

Cavalier County renters pay $859 monthly, placing it in the middle-to-upper range among its peers; Eddy County renters spend just $615, while Cass County residents face $930. Despite similar incomes to Eddy County, Cavalier's higher rents create a noticeably steeper affordability challenge.

Renting and owning both require careful budgeting

With median household income of just $67,064, Cavalier renters spending $859 monthly allocate 15.4% of income to housing, while homebuyers face $774 monthly payments on a median home value of $122,300. Both rental and ownership pathways demand significant financial discipline in this lower-income county.

Cavalier offers affordable ownership, tighter rentals

Cavalier County appeals to homebuyers seeking modest prices—median home value of $122,300 ranks among the state's most affordable—but renters should note above-average rent-to-income ratios of 15.4%. If you value small-town living with reasonable ownership costs and don't mind rental affordability constraints, Cavalier merits consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cavalier County

via IncomeByCounty

Cavalier lags national income standards

Cavalier County's median household income of $67,064 falls $7,691 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it below the U.S. average. This gap reflects the economic challenges many rural counties face relative to national trends.

Below the North Dakota average

Cavalier County's $67,064 median household income trails the state average of $72,537 by $5,473, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of North Dakota counties. The shortfall indicates less robust income generation than most state peers.

Struggles among regional peers

Cavalier County earns less than neighbors Cass County ($75,023) and Foster County ($83,412), and trails the state's high-performers like Dunn County ($94,688). However, it outpaces Dickey County ($63,125) and Eddy County ($55,389), showing mixed rural economics.

Housing costs remain manageable

Cavalier County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% stays below the 30% threshold, meaning households allocate less than one-sixth of income to rent. The low median home value of $122,300 makes homeownership realistic for county earners.

Strengthen savings despite income gaps

Cavalier County households can offset lower income by prioritizing automatic savings, exploring tax-advantaged accounts, and reducing debt. The affordable housing market creates an opportunity to build equity through homeownership despite income trailing national benchmarks.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cavalier County

via HealthByCounty

Cavalier County leads in longevity

Cavalier County residents live to 80.6 years on average—nearly four years longer than the U.S. average of 77.0 years. With 13.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county outperforms the national rate of 16.8%.

Second-best health outcomes statewide

At 80.6 years, Cavalier County ranks second in the state for life expectancy, trailing only Cass County. The county exceeds North Dakota's state average of 77.5 years by 3.1 years.

Outstanding health compared to peers

Cavalier County's 80.6-year life expectancy stands 3.7 years above Dickey County (76.9) and 3.4 years above Divide County (81.8, though Divide slightly edges ahead). The county maintains the lowest poor/fair health rate among its regional neighbors at 13.6%.

Low uninsured rate, limited providers

Cavalier County boasts a 6.0% uninsured rate—the lowest in the state and well below the state average of 7.5%. However, primary care access is limited at just 27 providers per 100,000 residents, requiring residents to access some services regionally.

Maintain your insurance advantage

Cavalier County's strong insurance coverage (6.0% uninsured) is a community asset worth protecting. Verify your current coverage and explore options at healthcare.gov to ensure continuous access to the limited local providers and regional resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cavalier County

via RiskByCounty

Cavalier County enjoys very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 11.83, Cavalier County ranks as Very Low—well below the national average. This favorable profile means residents face significantly reduced exposure to major natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.

Among North Dakota's safest counties

Cavalier County's score of 11.83 sits far below the state average of 22.19, placing it in the lower half of North Dakota risk rankings. This means residents benefit from one of the state's most stable natural hazard environments.

Similar safety profile to surrounding areas

Cavalier County's 11.83 score aligns closely with nearby Dickey County (15.84) and Foster County (7.41), reflecting a consistent low-risk zone across northeastern North Dakota. This regional stability provides reassurance for families and businesses throughout the area.

Wildfire is your primary natural hazard

Wildfire risk at 52.80 is Cavalier County's most significant exposure, though it remains moderate in absolute terms. Tornadoes (16.89) and floods (6.77) pose minimal threats, positioning the county as one of North Dakota's safest communities overall.

Standard coverage meets your needs here

Your low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection without costly flood or specialized coverage. Still, wildfire preparedness—maintaining clear brush around your home and having an evacuation plan—remains smart practice for all residents.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.