countyscore
59.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 85.3Health 76.1

County Report Card

About McLean County, North Dakota

McLean County offers competitive livability

Earning a composite score of 60.1, McLean County beats the national median of 50.0. It provides a reliable quality of life compared to most American counties.

Consistent with state averages

McLean's score of 60.1 is roughly on par with the North Dakota state average of 61.5. It functions as a stable representative of the state's central region.

Strong income and clean resources

The county achieves an income score of 85.7, supported by a median household income of $81,847. Excellent water quality and high health scores further bolster its profile.

Investing in local education

School quality is the county's weakest metric, scoring 37.4 in this dimension. Risk and safety scores are moderate, suggesting steady but unremarkable environmental security.

The verdict: Good for established workers

McLean County is an excellent fit for mid-career professionals looking for strong wages and reasonable rent. At $768 per month, gross rent remains accessible relative to high local salaries.

2040608010054.362.659.376.137.485.356.98639.9Tax54.3Cost62.6Safety59.3Health76.1Schools37.4Income85.3Risk56.9Water86Weather39.959.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

McLean County DNA

Foverall

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

McLean County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (85.3/100) but notably weak in Schools (37.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.3
Cost
62.6+14.600000000000001
Safety
59.3
Health
76.1+26.099999999999994
Schools
37.4-16.6
Income
85.3+34.3
Risk
56.9+9.899999999999999
Water
86+28
Weather
39.9-16.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in McLean County?

Many homeowners in McLean 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

$227,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$784/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$227,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $83,583/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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
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60

Nearby counties

Mercer County
North Dakota
60.4
Oliver County
North Dakota
72.9
Dunn County
North Dakota
61.5
Sheridan County
North Dakota
60.6
Burleigh County
North Dakota
45.2
Mountrail County
North Dakota
59.2
Ward County
North Dakota
48
Morton County
North Dakota
38.2

Deep Dives

McLean County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McLean County

via TaxByCounty

McLean rates stay below national average

McLean County's effective rate of 0.750% remains well below the national median of 1.1%, positioning it in the bottom quarter of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,748 is still $942 less than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below state average

McLean County's 0.750% effective rate is lower than North Dakota's state average of 0.885%. The median property tax of $1,748 is $288 higher than the statewide median of $1,460, reflecting higher property values in the county.

Mid-range among neighboring counties

McLean County's 0.750% rate falls between McHenry (0.663%) and Nelson (0.803%), but below McIntosh (1.080%) and Mercer (1.071%). It's notably higher than McKenzie (0.412%) and Mountrail (0.527%).

Your estimated annual property tax

On McLean's median home value of $233,100, you'll pay approximately $1,748 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages should budget $1,833, while those owning outright pay closer to $1,671.

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 McLean County

via IncomeByCounty

McLean leads North Dakota

McLean County's median household income of $81,847 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $7,092, or 9.5%. This positions the county well above most American households in earning capacity.

Second-highest in the state

McLean ranks among North Dakota's top earners at $81,847, beating the state average of $72,537 by more than $9,300. Only McKenzie County outpaces McLean's income performance statewide.

Near the top of the region

McLean's $81,847 ranks second among its eight neighboring counties, just $6,442 below McKenzie County's exceptional $88,289 and $1,233 above McHenry County. The county shares similar prosperity with Mountrail County at $81,292.

Solid affordability with growing costs

McLean households spend 11.3% of income on rent, well below the 30% affordability ceiling and leaving healthy budget flexibility. The median home value of $233,100 is moderate for the region, suggesting balanced housing markets.

Strong income, stronger future

McLean's above-average earnings and affordable housing create excellent conditions for wealth accumulation. Direct your income advantage toward long-term investments, education savings for children, or business ventures to compound your financial advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in McLean County

via CrimeByCounty

McLean County Safety Matches State Average

McLean County earns a safety score of 98.5, aligning perfectly with the North Dakota state average. Its total crime rate of 940.6 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data reinforces the county's reputation as a safe place to live.

Consistent Performance Across the State

With a total crime rate of 940.6, McLean stays just under the state average of 976.6. The county's safety score of 98.5 matches the state benchmark, showing consistent performance across two reporting agencies. It maintains a stable position within North Dakota's safety rankings.

A Middle Ground Among Neighbors

McLean's total crime rate of 940.6 is slightly higher than McHenry's 863.7 but lower than Mountrail's 953.5. Its violent crime rate of 122.7 is nearly identical to the state average of 121.0. This makes McLean a middle-of-the-pack performer among its regional neighbors.

Low Risk of Violent Incident

Property crime accounts for 817.9 incidents per 100K, which is well below the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime occurs at a rate of 122.7 per 100K, mirroring the state's typical experience. These figures translate to a low probability of encountering serious crime for most residents.

Vigilance Protects McLean Residents

Keeping your property well-lit and secure is the best defense against opportunistic crime. Even with a high safety score, residents should remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local authorities. A few small precautions can go a long way in maintaining McLean's security.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in McLean County

via WeatherByCounty

Upper Midwest Temperature Extremes

McLean County's annual average of 41.2°F is more than 10 degrees cooler than the national median. This climate requires resilient infrastructure to handle large seasonal swings.

Right at the State Average

The county's 41.2°F average temperature perfectly mirrors the North Dakota average of 41.0°F. Precipitation is also typical for the region at 18.1 inches annually.

Typical Snowfall for the Region

The county's 43.6 inches of snow is similar to McKenzie's 42.3 inches but lower than Mountrail's 48.5 inches. This makes it a standard representative for Central North Dakota weather.

Frigid Januaries and Moderate Summers

January brings average temperatures of 10.6°F, while July heats up to 69.3°F. Residents experience about 13 days of extreme heat and a summer average of 67.0°F.

Insulate Against the Winter Chill

With winter averages of 13.8°F, proper attic insulation is a top priority for homeowners. Be ready for significant snow cleanup throughout the 43.6-inch winter season.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in McLean County

via SoilByCounty

Stable Alkaline Soils of McLean

McLean County features an alkaline soil pH of 7.12, staying close to the state average of 7.18. This measurement remains significantly higher than the national median of 6.5, influencing local nutrient availability for native plants.

Balanced Minerals and Soil Structure

The soil contains 40.8% sand, 37.6% silt, and 21.1% clay. This mixture provides a stable structure that balances drainage needs with the ability to retain essential minerals throughout the year.

Healthy Matter and Reliable Capacity

Organic matter sits at a healthy 4.09%, doubling the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity matches the state average of 0.186 in/in, ensuring reliable moisture for consistent crop development.

Natural Aeration for Healthy Roots

Although dominant drainage classes are not recorded, the 40.8% sand content ensures the ground does not become overly compacted. This natural texture facilitates healthy aeration for roots and helps manage runoff during heavy rains.

Ideal for Hardy Berries and Alfalfa

Falling within Hardiness Zone 4a, this area is well-suited for alfalfa and hardy berries. The reliable soil score of 63.7 suggests that local gardeners will find great success with established northern vegetable varieties.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in McLean County

via LawnByCounty

Managing the Mid-Range in McLean

McLean County scores a 46.9 for lawn difficulty, indicating a climate that is more demanding than the national average. Gardeners in this Hardiness Zone 4a region must balance a short growing season with the need for winter protection.

Steady Heat and Low Rain

The county sees 13 extreme heat days annually, exactly matching the state average, but struggles with a low 18.1 inches of rain. With 2,116 growing degree days, the environment supports growth only if supplemental water is provided regularly.

Consistent Silt and Clay Mix

With a pH of 7.12, the soil is nearly neutral but leans toward alkaline. The balance of 40.8% sand and 21.1% clay provides a stable structure, though adding compost can help buffer the pH and improve nutrient availability.

Overcoming Prolonged Dry Periods

McLean County spent 22 weeks in drought over the last year, necessitating a smart approach to water usage. Mulching lawn clippings back into the turf is a great way to retain soil moisture during these frequent dry stretches.

Start Early in McLean

Kentucky Bluegrass is a regional favorite that handles the 4a winters well. Be ready to seed shortly after the May 12 last frost to ensure the roots are established before the September 30 first frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McLean County's county score?
McLean County, North Dakota has a composite county score of 59.9 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 McLean County rank among counties in North Dakota?
McLean County ranks #34 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 McLean County, North Dakota?
The median annual property tax in McLean County is $1,724, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns McLean County a tax score of 54.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in McLean County?
The median household income in McLean County, North Dakota is $83,583 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. McLean County earns an income score of 85.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is McLean County, North Dakota a good place to live?
McLean County scores 59.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #34 in North Dakota. The best way to evaluate McLean 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 McLean 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.