countyscore
57.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 98.2Water Quality 86Cost of Living 84.7

County Report Card

About Eddy County, North Dakota

Strong Value Above National Median

Eddy County earns a composite score of 60.3, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high degree of livability driven by exceptional affordability.

Holding Steady Near State Average

With a score of 60.3, Eddy County sits just slightly below the North Dakota state average of 61.5. It remains a competitive option for those looking for a balanced rural lifestyle.

Extreme Affordability and Safety

Eddy County boasts a nearly perfect Risk score of 98.2 and a high Cost score of 88.5. Median gross rent is just $615, making it one of the most affordable places to live in the region.

Opportunity for Income and School Growth

Income is a notable challenge with a score of 25.9, reflecting a median household income of $55,389. The School score of 35.9 also suggests that educational investment is a key local need.

Perfect for Retirees and Value-Seekers

This county is a top choice for those with fixed incomes or remote jobs who prioritize low housing costs and environmental safety. It offers peace of mind and financial breathing room.

204060801003684.765.454.335.913.498.28644.3Tax36Cost84.7Safety65.4Health54.3Schools35.9Income13.4Risk98.2Water86Weather44.357.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Eddy County DNA

Foverall

How Eddy County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Eddy County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (98.2/100) but notably weak in Income (13.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
36-16
Cost
84.7+36.7
Safety
65.4+10.400000000000006
Health
54.3
Schools
35.9-18.1
Income
13.4-37.6
Risk
98.2+51.2
Water
86+28
Weather
44.3-11.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Eddy County?

Many homeowners in Eddy County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$124,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$590/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$124,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,850/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

129.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Eddy County with Cleburne County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Cleburne County
Alabama
Median income: $55,345
57.5
Woodruff County
Arkansas
Median income: $48,158
57.5
Marshall County
Indiana
Median income: $71,808
57.5
Lincoln County
New Mexico
Median income: $53,303
57.5
Union County
New Mexico
Median income: $46,694
57.5
Roger Mills County
Oklahoma
Median income: $66,094
57.5
Campbell County
Virginia
Median income: $66,165
57.5
Conecuh County
Alabama
Median income: $41,327
57.6

Nearby counties

Foster County
North Dakota
65.2
Benson County
North Dakota
61.8
Ramsey County
North Dakota
48.7
Nelson County
North Dakota
71.7
Griggs County
North Dakota
70
Wells County
North Dakota
69.1
Stutsman County
North Dakota
47.5
Steele County
North Dakota
72.8

Deep Dives

Eddy County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Eddy County

via TaxByCounty

Eddy County taxes fall near national median

At 0.889%, Eddy's effective tax rate ranks around the 42nd percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,027 is far below the national median of $2,690, reflecting modest home values in the county.

At state average for North Dakota

Eddy County's 0.889% effective rate essentially matches North Dakota's 0.885% state average. It ranks squarely in the middle tier among the state's 53 counties, representing typical property tax conditions statewide.

Balanced tax rates across central region

Eddy (0.889%) sits near Dickey (0.920%) and Emmons (0.899%), creating a band of fairly consistent tax rates in central North Dakota. Nearby Divide and Dunn charge less, while Cass and Foster tax considerably more.

Median tax bill: $1,027 on $115,500 home

With a median home value of $115,500 and a 0.889% effective rate, Eddy County homeowners pay approximately $1,027 in annual property tax. Those with mortgages average $1,177, while non-mortgaged owners pay around $910.

Check your assessment for accuracy

Property assessments can be incorrect even in fairly-taxed counties. Compare your assessed value to recent sales of similar homes—if yours appears overvalued, file a free appeal with your county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Eddy County

via IncomeByCounty

Eddy County significantly lags nationally

Eddy County's median household income of $55,389 falls $19,366 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it among the nation's lowest-earning counties. This 25.9% gap reflects severe economic headwinds in rural northeastern North Dakota.

Lowest income county in North Dakota

Eddy County ranks as the lowest-earning county in North Dakota at $55,389, trailing the state median of $72,537 by $17,148. The shortfall indicates significant economic distress relative to state peers.

Struggling compared to region

Eddy County's $55,389 income trails every regional neighbor, from Dickey County ($63,125) to Foster County ($83,412), and falls nearly $40,000 behind boom-economy Dunn County ($94,688). This positions Eddy among the state's most economically challenged counties.

Low housing costs ease the burden

Eddy County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% provides some relief, with households spending just over one-eighth of income on rent. The median home value of $115,500 remains accessible despite low county income, supporting modest homeownership opportunity.

Build wealth through strategic planning

Eddy County households should focus on reducing debt, exploring career advancement opportunities, and leveraging the county's affordable housing for long-term wealth building. Even small, consistent savings can generate meaningful returns over decades when invested wisely.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Eddy County

via CrimeByCounty

Secure Stats for Eddy County

Eddy County earns a safety score of 98.7, indicating a very secure environment. The total crime rate of 810.2 per 100K is about one-third of the national figure.

Safer than the State Average

The county outperforms the state safety score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 810.2 per 100K also stays below the North Dakota average of 976.6.

A Calm Central Region

Reported by a single agency, Eddy shows lower crime activity than several of its central North Dakota neighbors. This suggests a quiet local environment with few major safety disruptions.

Property Crimes Lead Reports

Property crimes make up the bulk of local reports at 724.9 per 100K. Violent crime is minimal at 85.3 per 100K, which keeps the risk of personal harm low.

Habits for a Safer Home

Because property crime is the primary local risk, double-checking window locks is an effective habit. A well-lit exterior further helps keep your property secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Eddy County

via SoilByCounty

Strongly Alkaline Soils in Eddy

Eddy County features an average pH of 7.28, which is more alkaline than both the state average of 7.18 and the national median of 6.5. This chemical profile is common in the central plains of the state where limestone-based minerals are prevalent. Plants that prefer acidic conditions may require specific amendments here.

High Sand Content for Fast Drainage

With 47.7% sand, Eddy County has one of the highest sand concentrations in the region, paired with 34.1% silt and only 17.7% clay. This coarse texture means the soil is very loose and unlikely to form heavy clods. However, it also means it may lose moisture and nutrients faster than heavier soils.

Resilient Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter stands at 4.19%, which is more than double the national average of 2.0% but slightly below the state average. The available water capacity of 0.182 in/in is also just under the North Dakota benchmark of 0.186. The high sand content limits water storage, but the organic matter helps maintain essential fertility.

Superior Aeration and Drainage

Specific drainage data is missing, but the 47.7% sand content suggests excellent drainage and high aeration. This soil is unlikely to stay waterlogged, making it ideal for building foundations and preventing root rot in sensitive plants. Gardeners will find this soil warms up very quickly once the spring sun hits.

Early Season Advantage in Zone 4a

Located in Zone 4a, Eddy County’s sandy soils allow for early spring planting because they drain and warm rapidly. Root vegetables like carrots and radishes will thrive in this loose, stone-free texture. Consistent mulching can help you retain the moisture that these sandy soils tend to lose.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Eddy County

via LawnByCounty

North Dakota’s Top Tier for Lawns

Eddy County boasts an impressive 64.6 lawn difficulty score, the highest in this group and well above the national median. This indicates a very high success rate for homeowners looking to maintain a healthy green space.

Mild Summers Support Healthy Turf

The county enjoys a temperate summer with only 8 extreme heat days, far below the state average of 13. While annual rainfall of 21.0 inches is below the national ideal, the lack of intense heat prevents excessive evaporation.

Sandy Loam Advantages in Eddy

With a sand content of 47.7%, the soil here drains exceptionally well, though the pH of 7.28 is slightly alkaline. You should prioritize organic fertilizers to help lower the pH and improve the soil's water-holding capacity.

Unmatched Resilience Against Drought

The county recorded zero weeks in drought over the last year, a rare feat in North Dakota. This lack of water stress allows your lawn to remain thick and lush throughout the growing season without heavy intervention.

Take Advantage of Ideal Conditions

Standard Zone 4a grasses like Perennial Ryegrass and Bluegrass will flourish in this environment. While specific local frost dates are variable, most residents find success seeding in late May as the soil warms.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eddy County's county score?
Eddy County, North Dakota has a composite county score of 57.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Eddy County rank among counties in North Dakota?
Eddy County ranks #40 among all counties in North Dakota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Eddy County, North Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Eddy County is $1,237, with an effective tax rate of 1.00%. This earns Eddy County a tax score of 36/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Eddy County?
The median household income in Eddy County, North Dakota is $50,850 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Eddy County earns an income score of 13.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Eddy County, North Dakota a good place to live?
Eddy County scores 57.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #40 in North Dakota. The best way to evaluate Eddy County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Eddy County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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