Nelson County's composite score of 78.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of livability nationwide. This strong performance reflects exceptional affordability and risk management.
2 / 5
Among North Dakota's Best
Nelson ranks above the state average of 74.8, placing it among the top-performing counties in North Dakota. This positions it as one of the most livable communities in the state.
3 / 5
Affordability and Stability Excel
Nelson's cost score of 88.0 and risk score of 92.1 are exceptionally strong, backed by a median home value of just $114,500 and rent at $593/month. Health (76.6) and tax (79.7) provide additional layers of stability.
4 / 5
Income Remains Below Regional Norms
The income score of 27.8 is Nelson's primary weakness, with median household income at $68,051 trailing state and county peers. Limited earning potential may constrain wealth-building capacity.
5 / 5
Ideal for Budget-First Retirees
Nelson County is purpose-designed for retirees, fixed-income households, and those prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal financial risk. The combination of ultra-low housing costs and exceptional stability makes it a top choice for those optimizing limited resources.
Nelson County's composite score of 78.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of livability nationwide. This strong performance reflects exceptional affordability and risk management.
Among North Dakota's Best
Nelson ranks above the state average of 74.8, placing it among the top-performing counties in North Dakota. This positions it as one of the most livable communities in the state.
Affordability and Stability Excel
Nelson's cost score of 88.0 and risk score of 92.1 are exceptionally strong, backed by a median home value of just $114,500 and rent at $593/month. Health (76.6) and tax (79.7) provide additional layers of stability.
Income Remains Below Regional Norms
The income score of 27.8 is Nelson's primary weakness, with median household income at $68,051 trailing state and county peers. Limited earning potential may constrain wealth-building capacity.
Ideal for Budget-First Retirees
Nelson County is purpose-designed for retirees, fixed-income households, and those prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal financial risk. The combination of ultra-low housing costs and exceptional stability makes it a top choice for those optimizing limited resources.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Nelson County's effective rate of 0.803% is below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom quarter of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $919 is just one-third the national median of $2,690.
Slightly below North Dakota average
Nelson County's 0.803% effective rate is lower than North Dakota's state average of 0.885%. The median property tax of $919 is $541 below the statewide median of $1,460, reflecting lower property values in the county.
Mid-range tax burden in the region
Nelson County's 0.803% rate is higher than McHenry (0.663%), McKenzie (0.412%), and Mountrail (0.527%), but lower than McIntosh (1.080%), Mercer (1.071%), and Morton (1.026%). It's on par with McLean (0.750%).
Your estimated annual property tax
On Nelson's median home value of $114,500, you'll pay approximately $919 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages should budget $1,093, while those owning outright pay closer to $832.
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.
Nelson County delivers exceptional housing affordability
Nelson County's 10.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, beating the national standard of 12% by a significant margin. At $593 monthly rent against a median household income of $68,051, renters enjoy extraordinary cost relief relative to income.
Nelson County is North Dakota's affordability leader
With a 10.5% rent-to-income ratio and $593 median rent—23% below the state average of $770—Nelson County stands as one of the state's most accessible housing markets. The county combines rock-bottom costs with solid affordability metrics.
Nelson offers the lowest costs in the cluster
Nelson County's $593 median rent is the lowest across all comparison counties, undercutting McIntosh's $600 and McHenry's $737 by substantial margins. Its 10.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the best in this statewide group.
Nelson maximizes income flexibility for housing
Renters pay $593 monthly while homeowners pay $655, both among the lowest costs across all comparison counties despite modest median income. On a $68,051 median income, just 10.5% goes to rent, leaving 89.5% for savings and other expenses.
Nelson County is the affordability champion
If housing cost is your primary relocation criterion, Nelson County is unbeatable: 10.5% rent-to-income, $593 median rent, and $655 median owner costs. Compare Nelson's exceptional affordability against higher-cost counties like McKenzie, Morton, and Mercer to understand the real impact on your household budget.
Nelson County's median household income of $68,051 falls $6,704 short of the national median of $74,755, a gap of 9%. The county faces income headwinds compared to typical American households.
Among North Dakota's lower earners
Nelson's $68,051 trails the state average of $72,537 by about $4,500, placing the county in the lower half of North Dakota's income distribution. Per capita income of $38,484 also falls short of state norms.
Second-lowest in the region
Nelson's $68,051 ranks second-lowest among its eight neighboring counties, above only McIntosh County's $64,236 but trailing all others by significant margins. The county faces the steepest income disadvantage relative to higher-earning peers like McKenzie and McLean.
Housing remains very affordable
Nelson households spend just 10.5% of income on rent, the lowest ratio in the region and well below affordability thresholds. The median home value of $114,500 is also the county's key advantage, offering affordable homeownership despite lower earnings.
Build wealth on a modest foundation
Nelson's below-average income demands disciplined financial planning, but affordable housing offers a crucial advantage. Start with a solid emergency fund, then leverage low housing costs to maximize contributions to retirement accounts and savings vehicles for long-term security.
At 78.4 years, Nelson County residents live roughly 2 years longer than the US average of 76.4 years. Just 15.4% report poor or fair health, beating the US average of 18% and indicating robust population wellness.
Above state average; strong regional performer
Nelson's 78.4-year life expectancy tops North Dakota's 77.5-year state average by 0.9 years, placing it in the upper tier statewide. The 15.4% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the state's better outcomes.
Second-best longevity among regional peers
Nelson's 78.4 years ranks second only to Mercer (79.3) and ahead of McLean (76.8) and Morton (77.3), positioning it as a strong regional performer. The 6.8% uninsured rate is among the lowest nearby, supporting strong healthcare access.
Strong insurance coverage; provider data limited
Nelson's 6.8% uninsured rate—well below the state average of 7.5%—means nine of ten residents have healthcare protection. Specific primary care and mental health provider counts are currently unavailable, but strong insurance rates suggest residents can access needed services.
Well-protected; keep your coverage active
Nelson's 93.2% insurance coverage rate is excellent and contributes directly to the county's strong health outcomes. Whether insured or uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to review options and ensure your plan covers preventive care, prescriptions, and mental health services.
Nelson County's composite risk score of 7.92 is exceptionally low, placing it in the Very Low category well below the vast majority of U.S. counties. This outstanding resilience reflects minimal to low hazard exposure across nearly all disaster types.
Nelson is North Dakota's safest county
At 7.92, Nelson's score is the lowest in North Dakota and dramatically outperforms the state average of 22.19. Nelson stands as the state's most resilient county across all natural disaster metrics.
Significantly safer than surrounding counties
Nelson's 7.92 score is substantially lower than McHenry (11.74), Mercer (13.87), and all other nearby counties, making it the region's clear safest location. Its advantage over McLean (43.10) and Morton (49.59) is dramatic.
Wildfire is minimal concern; tornado secondary
Wildfire risk reaches 67.81 in Nelson—the county's only notable hazard—while tornado risk is low at 21.53. Flood risk is exceptionally modest at 4.26, and earthquake risk is nearly negligible at 1.59.
Maintain basic wildfire-aware coverage
While Nelson's overall risk is minimal, ensure your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage as a precaution during fire season. Standard disaster preparedness—emergency supplies and alert sign-up—remains advisable.