CountyScore

Rolette County

North Dakota · ND

#50 in North Dakota
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Rolette County, North Dakota

Rolette County above national median despite challenges

Rolette County's composite score of 67.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, demonstrating meaningful livability strengths despite regional challenges. The county still ranks above average compared to American counties overall.

Below average among North Dakota counties

Rolette County scores 67.9, falling 6.9 points below the state average of 74.8 and ranking in the lower tier of North Dakota's 53 counties. It reflects economic and health challenges distinct from typical state profiles.

Exceptional housing affordability stands alone

Rolette County's standout strength is its remarkable 91.7 cost score, featuring the most affordable housing in the county group with median home values of just $93,000 and median rent of $479/month. The 74.8 tax score adds modest tax advantages for budget-conscious households.

Health and income represent serious gaps

The county's 51.8 health score is the lowest in the group, suggesting significant healthcare access and outcome challenges. The 20.8 income score reflects the lowest median household income at $57,355, and a concerning 47.2 risk score indicates elevated financial vulnerability and disaster exposure.

For the cost-conscious despite headwinds

Rolette County suits only those who can prioritize rock-bottom housing costs and self-sufficiency over healthcare access and income security. The exceptional affordability makes it viable for retirees with strong fixed incomes or remote workers with stable outside earnings, but the health and financial risk challenges require careful consideration.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.8Cost91.7SafetyComing SoonHealth51.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.8Risk47.2WaterComing Soon
🏛74.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47.2
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 Rolette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Taylor County
Florida
67.9
Median income: $44,985
Lumpkin County
Georgia
67.9
Median income: $72,388
Bonneville County
Idaho
67.9
Median income: $76,646
Bell County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $32,403
Franklin County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $66,470

Deep Dives

Rolette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rolette County

via TaxByCounty

Rolette County offers modest tax burden

Rolette County's effective tax rate of 0.975% sits slightly above the national median of 0.87%, yet the median tax of $907 is just one-third the national median of $2,690. Lower home values—median $93,000 versus $281,900 nationally—keep annual bills manageable.

Near average for North Dakota

At 0.975%, Rolette County's effective rate exceeds the state average of 0.885%, but its median tax of $907 falls significantly below the state median of $1,460. Rolette County offers a balanced tax environment within the state.

Comparable to Pembina, below Richland

Rolette County's 0.975% rate closely mirrors Pembina County's 0.999% and sits well below Richland County's 1.135%. It ranks in the middle tier for property taxation among north-central North Dakota counties.

Lowest median tax at just $907

Rolette County's median home value of $93,000 results in the lowest median property tax among these eight counties—just $907 annually. Mortgaged homeowners average $1,000, while outright owners pay $833.

Confirm your assessed value

Even at lower price points, overassessment can occur and erode your savings over time. A simple comparison of your assessed value to recent local sales could validate your tax bill—or justify an appeal to your county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rolette County

via CostByCounty

Rolette rents are remarkably affordable

Rolette County's rent-to-income ratio of 10.0% is the lowest in this entire dataset, well below both the national average and North Dakota's state average of 12.8%. At just $479 monthly, Rolette rents are less than half the regional average, making it a standout affordability story.

Most affordable rents in North Dakota

Rolette County ranks as the most affordable rental market in North Dakota by a significant margin, with a rent-to-income ratio of 10.0% and median rent of $479. This exceptional affordability holds despite a lower median household income of $57,355, the lowest in this peer group.

Rolette's rents are unmatched

Rolette County's $479 monthly rent is less than two-thirds of any other county in this regional cluster, with the next-lowest being Ramsey County at $687. Combined with the lowest median income at $57,355, Rolette delivers unparalleled housing affordability for budget-conscious relocators.

Housing takes just 17% of income

Rolette County residents spend only 10.0% of income on rent and another 11.6% on owner costs, totaling roughly 21.6% of household income toward housing. This leaves significantly more room in the budget than any neighboring county, despite the lowest area incomes.

Rolette is the affordability champion

If housing affordability is your top priority, Rolette County is unbeatable—rents at $479 and a 10.0% rent-to-income ratio have no peers in this region. Accept the trade-off of lower regional incomes and compare it carefully to higher-income alternatives like Oliver County ($76,953 income) or Renville County ($76,311 income).

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rolette County

via IncomeByCounty

Rolette County significantly below national average

Rolette County's median household income of $57,355 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $17,400—a substantial gap reflecting significant economic challenges. The income disparity is among the largest profiled here, indicating limited employment opportunities and lower wage structures.

Lowest income county in North Dakota

Rolette County ranks lowest statewide for median household income at $57,355, falling $15,182 below the state average of $72,537. The county faces the steepest economic headwinds among all North Dakota communities in this analysis.

Significantly below all neighboring counties

Rolette County's $57,355 median household income is substantially lower than every profiled neighbor, including Pierce County ($63,214), Ramsey County ($61,319), and Pembina County ($66,884). The gap signals distinct economic challenges affecting household financial capacity.

Lowest housing costs but tight budgets

At 10.0% of median household income, Rolette County shows the lowest rent-to-income ratio profiled here, and median home values of just $93,000 are the most affordable. However, the very low base income means households face significant overall financial constraints despite low housing costs.

Access support services and resources

Rolette County residents should seek out free financial counseling, job training programs, and community development resources available through tribal and county organizations. Even modest savings habits, debt reduction, and exploring higher-wage employment paths will strengthen long-term household financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rolette County

via HealthByCounty

Rolette County Faces Severe Health Crisis

Rolette County's life expectancy of 65.2 years is 11 years below the U.S. average of roughly 76 years, reflecting a severe public health emergency. With 27.4% reporting poor or fair health—nearly double the national rate—the county experiences extraordinary health challenges.

North Dakota's Healthiest Challenge

Rolette County's 65.2-year life expectancy is 12.3 years below North Dakota's 77.5-year state average, ranking it as the state's lowest. Its 10.4% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 7.5%, compounding access barriers.

Stark Disparities in Regional Health

Rolette County's 65.2-year life expectancy trails neighboring Richland County (81.2 years) by 16 years and Ransom County (78.1 years) by 12.9 years. This exceptional gap signals deep systemic health inequities requiring immediate attention.

Strong Providers, Coverage Gaps Persist

Rolette County offers 50 primary care providers and 188 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—robust capacity often reflecting tribal healthcare infrastructure. Yet the 10.4% uninsured rate means many residents cannot fully access these critical services.

Health Coverage Is Essential

Rolette County's 10.4% uninsured rate is the state's highest, and health outcomes show why coverage matters urgently. Contact your local health department, tribal health office, or visit Healthcare.gov immediately to secure coverage and connect with available care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rolette County

via RiskByCounty

Rolette County faces significant U.S. risk

Rolette County's composite risk score of 52.86 places it well above the national average and in the relatively low category, reflecting substantial natural disaster exposure. The rating is driven primarily by exceptional wildfire risk—the highest among all North Dakota counties.

Second-highest-risk county in ND

Rolette County ranks second statewide with a 52.86 composite score, exceeded only by Richland County's 35.31. The county's risk profile diverges from Richland's by featuring wildfire as the dominant hazard rather than tornadoes.

Riskiest county in its region

Rolette's 52.86 score substantially exceeds Pierce (3.24), Ramsey (18.32), and Ransom (13.20). The county's extreme wildfire vulnerability (96.37) is by far the highest among all ND counties and regional neighbors.

Wildfire dominates all other hazards

Wildfire risk scores an exceptional 96.37—the single highest hazard exposure of any North Dakota county. Tornado risk (31.14), flood risk (21.56), and earthquake risk (15.17) round out substantial but secondary concerns.

Wildfire protection is non-negotiable

Wildfire coverage must be a centerpiece of your insurance strategy; most standard policies exclude this peril entirely. Additionally, obtain separate coverage for tornado, earthquake, and flood risks—Rolette County faces multiple significant hazards requiring comprehensive protection.

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.