CountyScore

McKenzie County

North Dakota · ND

#39 in North Dakota
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About McKenzie County, North Dakota

McKenzie Outpaces National Livability Median

McKenzie County's composite score of 73.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability performance. The county's score reflects strengths in tax efficiency and income levels that many U.S. counties struggle to achieve.

Competitive Standing in North Dakota

McKenzie scores just below the state average of 74.8, placing it solidly in the state's middle-to-upper tier. This competitive positioning reflects the county's ability to attract and retain residents with strong earning potential.

Top-Tier Tax Advantage and Strong Incomes

McKenzie boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.412% (tax score 90.7) and a median household income of $88,289 (income score 41.0), making it attractive for high earners. The risk score of 75.0 further indicates manageable economic volatility.

Housing Costs Rise Sharply

The cost score of 69.9 reveals McKenzie's primary weakness: median home values of $357,300 and rent at $1,153/month far exceed state norms. This cost burden significantly offsets the county's tax and income advantages.

Suits Higher-Income Professionals

McKenzie County works best for well-compensated professionals and established families who can absorb higher housing costs in exchange for low taxes and strong earnings potential. It's less suitable for budget-conscious or fixed-income households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.7Cost69.9SafetyComing SoonHealth69.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome41Risk75WaterComing Soon
🏛90.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75
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 McKenzie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Moffat County
Colorado
73.1
Median income: $70,975
Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Benton County
Indiana
73.1
Median income: $61,811
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Owen County
Kentucky
73.1
Median income: $59,706

Deep Dives

McKenzie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McKenzie County

via TaxByCounty

McKenzie has lowest tax rate nationwide

McKenzie County's effective rate of 0.412% is among the lowest in the nation, placing it in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Despite higher home values, the median property tax of $1,473 remains well below the national median of $2,690.

McKenzie leads North Dakota

McKenzie County's 0.412% effective rate is the lowest in North Dakota, far below the state average of 0.885%. Though the median property tax is $1,473—above the state median of $1,460—the lower rate reflects higher property valuations in the county.

Significantly lower tax rate than peers

McKenzie County's 0.412% rate is substantially lower than all nearby counties, including Mountrail (0.527%), McHenry (0.663%), and McLean (0.750%). Among the eight-county region, McKenzie offers the most favorable tax environment.

Your estimated annual property tax

On McKenzie's median home value of $357,300, expect approximately $1,473 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,673, while those owning outright pay closer to $1,229.

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

Cost of Living in McKenzie County

via CostByCounty

McKenzie County faces tight housing affordability

McKenzie County's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national standard of 12%, signaling housing cost pressure despite the county's strong median income of $88,289. At $1,153 monthly rent—50% above the national norm—McKenzie's tight affordability reflects the cost premium of regional demand and energy sector activity.

McKenzie County's housing costs lead the state

With a 15.7% rent-to-income ratio and median rent of $1,153, McKenzie County far outpaces the North Dakota state average of 12.8% rent-to-income and $770 median rent. The county's housing pressures remain the most acute in this statewide cluster, despite above-average incomes.

McKenzie runs 50% higher than neighboring counties

McKenzie County's $1,153 monthly rent dwarfs McIntosh County at $600 and McHenry County at $737, reflecting distinct regional economic forces. Even against Mercer County at $1,043 and Morton County at $1,036, McKenzie's costs remain notably elevated.

McKenzie dedicates 16% of income to housing

Renters pay $1,153 monthly while homeowners face $1,151, nearly identical costs reflecting hot demand for both rental and owned housing. With median home values at $357,300—the highest across all comparison counties—McKenzie residents invest heavily in their housing decisions.

McKenzie offers opportunity with affordability trade-offs

McKenzie County's high incomes and economic opportunities come with a cost: housing consumes 15.7% of household income, the tightest ratio in this cluster. If you're relocating for work in energy or agriculture, compare McKenzie's costs against neighboring options like Mercer or Morton County before deciding.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McKenzie County

via IncomeByCounty

McKenzie leads the nation

McKenzie County's median household income of $88,289 towers 18.1% above the national median of $74,755, making it one of the strongest-earning counties nationwide. This prosperity stems largely from energy sector employment and resource extraction industries.

North Dakota's top income earner

McKenzie County dominates North Dakota's income rankings at $88,289, far exceeding the state average of $72,537 by $15,752. The county's per capita income of $48,665 is also the highest among its peers, reflecting exceptional earning power.

Vastly outpaces neighboring counties

McKenzie's $88,289 income substantially exceeds all neighbors—topping McLean County by $6,442 and McHenry County by $7,675. Only McKenzie maintains this elevated income tier among the region's eight counties.

High incomes, high housing costs

Despite robust earnings, McKenzie's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% reflects the surge in housing costs driven by population growth and resource booms. The median home value of $357,300 is the region's highest, consuming more income than in neighboring counties.

Leverage peak earnings for long-term wealth

McKenzie's exceptional incomes present a unique opportunity to accelerate wealth-building before market cycles shift. Consider aggressive savings strategies, diversified investments, and tax-advantaged retirement accounts to insulate your wealth from sector volatility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McKenzie County

via HealthByCounty

McKenzie lags far behind US health benchmarks

At 74.3 years, McKenzie County's life expectancy trails the US average of 76.4 years by over 2 full years—a significant gap indicating serious population health challenges. Nearly 1 in 6 residents (17.5%) report poor or fair health, above the US average of 18%.

Lowest life expectancy in North Dakota

McKenzie's 74.3 years is the shortest in the state, more than 3 years below North Dakota's 77.5-year average. The county's 17.5% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the state's highest, signaling urgent public health attention needed.

Significantly behind all regional peers

McKenzie's 74.3-year life expectancy is 1.7 years below McHenry (76.1) and 2.5 years below Mercer (79.3), placing it at the bottom of the regional cluster. The 8.4% uninsured rate is among the highest in its peer group.

Sparse primary care; mental health services limited

McKenzie has just 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far below the state pattern—making it difficult for residents to find routine care. With 28 mental health providers per 100,000 and 8.4% uninsured, the county faces both access and coverage barriers.

Urgent: check coverage and seek preventive care

McKenzie's health crisis demands action: 8.4% uninsured and scarce primary care require immediate enrollment for those without plans. Visit healthcare.gov today or call 1-800-318-2596 to find a plan, then connect with available providers for preventive screenings.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McKenzie County

via RiskByCounty

McKenzie's disaster risk stays very low

McKenzie County's composite score of 25.03 places it in the Very Low risk category, comfortably below typical U.S. county exposure levels. The county benefits from relatively distributed, moderate hazards rather than concentrated severe risks.

McKenzie ranks slightly above state average

At 25.03, McKenzie's composite risk slightly exceeds North Dakota's average of 22.19, but the difference is modest and the Very Low rating holds firm. This positions McKenzie in the lower-to-middle range of state county risk.

Similar risk to Mountrail; safer than McLean

McKenzie's score of 25.03 closely matches Mountrail County (21.37) and sits well below McLean County (43.10) and Morton County (49.59). Among northwestern counties, McKenzie ranks as one of the safer options.

Wildfire and tornado exposure most notable

Wildfire risk is elevated at 77.35, while tornado risk reaches 33.14—the two hazards requiring the most attention. Flood risk remains modest at 15.30, and earthquake risk is minimal.

Bundle wildfire and tornado preparedness

Verify your homeowners policy covers both wildfire and wind/hail damage from tornadoes, as McKenzie faces dual exposure to these events. Maintain defensible space around structures and identify safe rooms for severe weather.

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.