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McIntosh County, North Dakota — County Report Card

ND

#33 in North Dakota

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
60
County Score
Cost of Living 95.8Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 64.8

County Report Card

About McIntosh County, North Dakota

McIntosh County sits above national averages

McIntosh County earns a composite score of 60.7, ten points higher than the national median of 50.0. It offers a solid baseline of livability for those seeking a rural lifestyle.

Matching the North Dakota standard

The county's overall score of 60.7 is nearly identical to the state average of 61.5. It represents a typical, high-functioning North Dakota community.

Unbeatable affordability and clean water

With a cost score of 96.1, McIntosh is exceptionally affordable, featuring a median gross rent of just $600. The water score of 86.0 also indicates very high resource quality.

Tax burden and school investments

The tax score of 32.5 reflects a higher effective tax rate of 1.080% compared to neighboring areas. Schools also present an area for growth with a dimension score of 44.6.

The verdict: A haven for retirees

McIntosh County is perfect for retirees or remote workers who prioritize low housing costs and reliable water quality. The modest median home value of $80,300 makes homeownership very accessible.

2040608010029.895.858.861.444.646.764.88641.4Tax29.8Cost95.8Safety58.8Health61.4Schools44.6Income46.7Risk64.8Water86Weather41.460/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

McIntosh County DNA

Doverall

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

McIntosh County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (95.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (29.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
29.8-22.2
Cost
95.8+47.8
Safety
58.8
Health
61.4+11.399999999999999
Schools
44.6-9.399999999999999
Income
46.7
Risk
64.8+17.799999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
41.4-14.600000000000001
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Think property taxes are too high in McIntosh County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$84,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$608/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$84,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,419/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

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Nearby counties

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60.1
Logan County
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67.2
Campbell County
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62.5
Dickey County
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Edmunds County
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LaMoure County
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Deep Dives

McIntosh County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in McIntosh County

via TaxByCounty

McIntosh taxes still well below U.S. typical

McIntosh County's effective rate of 1.080% is still below the national median of 1.1%, placing it near the middle-to-lower tier nationally. The median property tax is $867 annually, less than a third of the national median of $2,690.

McIntosh ranks above state average

At 1.080%, McIntosh County's effective rate exceeds North Dakota's state average of 0.885%, putting it in the higher half of the state's counties. The median property tax of $867 is still below the statewide median of $1,460.

Higher rate than most neighbors

McIntosh County's 1.080% effective rate is notably higher than McKenzie County (0.412%), Mountrail County (0.527%), and McHenry County (0.663%). Only Mercer County (1.071%) matches McIntosh's tax burden in the eight-county region.

Your estimated annual property tax

On McIntosh's median home value of $80,300, you'll pay approximately $867 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages should budget $1,207, while outright owners pay closer to $707.

Could your assessment be wrong?

Many North Dakota homeowners discover their property is overassessed during appeal windows. If you believe your home's valuation is inaccurate, filing a tax assessment appeal could reduce your annual bill—often with minimal paperwork and no filing fee.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in McIntosh County

via IncomeByCounty

McIntosh falls below national average

McIntosh County's median household income of $64,236 lags the national median of $74,755 by $10,519, or about 14%. The county faces income headwinds compared to the typical American household.

Below-average earnings for North Dakota

McIntosh ranks among North Dakota's lower-income counties at $64,236, falling $8,301 short of the state average of $72,537. This positions the county in the lower third of statewide earnings.

Struggling among regional peers

McIntosh's $64,236 is the lowest income among its neighboring counties—nearly $24,000 behind McKenzie County's $88,289 and $16,000 below McLean County's $81,847. Only Nelson County approaches similar income levels in the region.

Housing costs remain manageable

McIntosh households spend 11.2% of their income on rent, staying comfortably below the 30% affordability guideline. The low median home value of $80,300 further signals that housing is one of the county's affordable advantages.

Maximize modest earnings strategically

With below-average household income, every dollar counts for McIntosh families. Prioritize building an emergency fund first, then explore low-cost investment options like employer retirement plans or automatic savings programs to grow wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in McIntosh County

via CrimeByCounty

McIntosh County Far Safer Than National Average

McIntosh County earns a safety score of 98.5, which aligns with North Dakota's high standards. Its total crime rate of 949.0 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This performance highlights the county's relative security on the national stage.

Matching the State Average for Safety

The county's safety score of 98.5 matches the North Dakota average exactly. Its total crime rate of 949.0 per 100K is also slightly better than the state average of 976.6. Two reporting agencies provide a consistent and reliable look at local public safety.

Consistent Performance Among Neighbors

McIntosh County's rate of 949.0 per 100K is notably higher than Nelson County's 595.1. However, it maintains a much lower violent crime rate of 79.1 compared to McHenry's 169.0. This balance places McIntosh comfortably within the range of its North Dakota peers.

A Closer Look at Local Incidents

Violent crime is very rare here, occurring at a rate of just 79.1 per 100K compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime makes up nearly all reported incidents at 869.9 per 100K, though this remains far below the national average of 2,015.7. These numbers suggest a community where personal safety is a high priority.

Simple Habits Keep McIntosh Secure

Maintaining a secure home starts with simple habits like locking all entry points and garages. Even in high-safety areas, basic home security provides an extra layer of defense against property theft. Staying informed about local activity helps keep the county secure.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in McIntosh County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Cold Continental Climate

McIntosh County has an annual average temperature of 41.3°F, significantly lower than the national median. This reflects a humid continental climate where temperatures fluctuate dramatically between extremes.

Slightly Warmer than the State Average

The county's 41.3°F average temperature sits just above the North Dakota state average of 41.0°F. It ranks in the middle tier of counties for warmth across the state.

Higher Precipitation than Western Neighbors

With 20.7 inches of annual precipitation, McIntosh is wetter than the state average of 19.5 inches. This makes it significantly more humid than neighboring McKenzie, which sees only 17.0 inches.

Harsh Winters and Brief Summer Heat

January temperatures average a frigid 10.9°F, and the county receives 42.4 inches of annual snowfall. Summers are mild, though the area still sees about 12 days a year where temperatures exceed 90°F.

Prepare for Deep Snow and Cold

Residents must maintain high-efficiency heating systems to handle winter averages of 14.2°F. Snow removal equipment is a necessity to manage the 42.4 inches of annual accumulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in McIntosh County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Ground in McIntosh County

McIntosh County maintains a balanced pH of 7.01, which is more neutral than the state average of 7.18. This level provides a hospitable environment for a wide range of plants compared to the more acidic 6.5 national median.

Balanced Texture for Steady Work

The soil profile consists of 41.1% sand, 37.3% silt, and 21.6% clay. This relatively even distribution creates a workable medium that retains moisture better than sandier neighboring regions.

Consistent Water for Local Plants

At 3.48%, organic matter exceeds the national average of 2.0% but falls short of the North Dakota state benchmark. However, the available water capacity hits 0.186 in/in, matching the state average exactly for reliable growing potential.

Reliable Moisture and Soil Stability

While specific hydrologic groups are not listed in local data, the 21.6% clay content suggests moderate moisture retention. Builders and farmers should expect steady drainage that supports both stable foundations and healthy root systems.

Thriving in the 4a Climate

The Zone 4a climate is perfect for short-season crops and cool-weather vegetables like kale and potatoes. Start your garden today to take advantage of the county's consistent water-holding capacity and balanced soil score.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in McIntosh County

via LawnByCounty

Easier Growing Conditions in McIntosh

McIntosh County earns a lawn difficulty score of 57.6, making it easier to maintain a yard here than in the average North Dakota county. Located in Hardiness Zone 4a, the area offers a better environment for grass than the national median score of 50.0.

Higher Precipitation Boosts Turf Health

At 20.7 inches of annual precipitation, this county is wetter than the state average of 19.5 inches. Moderate heat exposure with only 12 days above 90°F allows for a steady mowing schedule across the 2,090 growing degree days.

Balanced Soil for Better Growth

The soil pH of 7.01 is almost perfectly neutral, providing an ideal environment for grass roots to absorb nutrients. With a composition of 41.1% sand and 21.6% clay, the soil retains moisture effectively while still allowing for necessary drainage.

Strong Resilience to Dry Spells

This county faced only 7 weeks of drought in the past year, which is significantly lower than many neighboring regions. Currently, 0.0% of the county is in drought, but maintaining a taller mow height can still help protect the soil surface from evaporation.

Harness the Neutral Soil

Cold-hardy species like Perennial Ryegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass thrive in this neutral soil. Aim to establish your lawn between the typical last frost on May 13 and the first fall frost on September 28 for the best results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McIntosh County's county score?
McIntosh County, North Dakota has a composite county score of 60 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 McIntosh County rank among counties in North Dakota?
McIntosh County ranks #33 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 McIntosh County, North Dakota?
The median annual property tax in McIntosh County is $913, with an effective tax rate of 1.08%. This earns McIntosh County a tax score of 29.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in McIntosh County?
The median household income in McIntosh County, North Dakota is $64,419 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. McIntosh County earns an income score of 46.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is McIntosh County, North Dakota a good place to live?
McIntosh County scores 60/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in North Dakota. The best way to evaluate McIntosh 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 McIntosh 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.