Stark County's 70.3 score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, positioning it well for American livability standards. However, it underperforms relative to other North Dakota counties, suggesting some local constraints.
2 / 5
Below-average within North Dakota
Stark's 70.3 score trails the state average of 74.8, placing it in the lower half of North Dakota's county rankings. The gap reflects challenges in affordability and economic resilience relative to statewide peers.
3 / 5
Income and health are respectable
Stark's strongest dimensions are income (36.1) and health (75.2), with a median household income of $80,744 among the county's highest. Tax burden is moderate at 76.4, supporting modest financial stability.
4 / 5
Housing costs and risk concerns
Median home values of $260,400 and rent at $966/month make Stark the priciest county in this cohort, pushing its cost score to just 72.5. A risk score of 62.7 also signals economic vulnerability and less resilience than neighboring counties.
5 / 5
For those with higher income and budgets
Stark County suits families and workers with above-average incomes who can afford higher housing costs and seek local employment opportunities. If you want reasonable health services and income potential in rural North Dakota but expect to pay more for housing, Stark is your fit.
Stark County's 70.3 score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, positioning it well for American livability standards. However, it underperforms relative to other North Dakota counties, suggesting some local constraints.
Below-average within North Dakota
Stark's 70.3 score trails the state average of 74.8, placing it in the lower half of North Dakota's county rankings. The gap reflects challenges in affordability and economic resilience relative to statewide peers.
Income and health are respectable
Stark's strongest dimensions are income (36.1) and health (75.2), with a median household income of $80,744 among the county's highest. Tax burden is moderate at 76.4, supporting modest financial stability.
Housing costs and risk concerns
Median home values of $260,400 and rent at $966/month make Stark the priciest county in this cohort, pushing its cost score to just 72.5. A risk score of 62.7 also signals economic vulnerability and less resilience than neighboring counties.
For those with higher income and budgets
Stark County suits families and workers with above-average incomes who can afford higher housing costs and seek local employment opportunities. If you want reasonable health services and income potential in rural North Dakota but expect to pay more for housing, Stark is your fit.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛76.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Stark County's effective tax rate of 0.921% is slightly above the national average of 0.885%, making it competitive by nationwide standards. With a median property tax of $2,398 and a median home value of $260,400, Stark residents pay closer to the national median of $2,690 than most North Dakota counties.
Middle-range rate in North Dakota
Stark County ranks in the upper-middle tier of North Dakota counties at 0.921%, slightly above the state average of 0.885%. Median taxes of $2,398 exceed the state median of $1,460 by $938 annually, reflecting higher home values.
Higher than most surrounding counties
Stark's 0.921% rate exceeds Slope County (0.379%), Sheridan County (0.699%), and Sioux County (0.469%), but trails Sargent County (1.142%) and Stutsman County (1.095%). It sits in the region's upper range for property tax burden.
What a $260,400 home costs annually
A median-valued home in Stark County incurs roughly $2,398 in annual property taxes, or about $200 per month. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,504, while outright ownership drops to $2,259.
Appeal if your home is overvalued
Higher-value homes in Stark County benefit significantly from accurate assessments, as overvaluations compound quickly. Many homeowners have successfully appealed inflated valuations and secured meaningful tax reductions.
Stark County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the least affordable in the state, driven by the region's oil-boom legacy and home values averaging $260,400. Despite strong median income of $80,744, residents here pay substantially more for housing than the national average household.
Priciest housing market in North Dakota
Stark County leads North Dakota in housing costs, with a 14.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 12.8% and median rent of $966 well above the state median of $770. Median home values of $260,400 nearly double the state typical, reflecting the county's unique economic position.
Clear outlier in regional affordability
Stark County's $966 rent and $260,400 home values dwarf those of rural neighbors Sargent ($835/$149,600) and Slope ($719/$121,300). This county represents a different economic tier—more akin to Bismarck-area suburbs than rural North Dakota.
Homeownership most strained, here
Homeowners in Stark County face the region's steepest monthly costs at $1,211—consuming 14.9% of median household income, well above renters' 14.4% burden. Despite the county's highest incomes, housing here demands a larger financial commitment than anywhere else in the comparison set.
Premium market for premium incomes
Stark County suits high-earning households seeking newer construction and amenities tied to oil-sector development, but affordability-conscious buyers should look south or east. If housing-cost efficiency matters, nearly every neighboring county offers significantly better value.
Stark County's median household income of $80,744 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by approximately $5,989. The county ranks among the strongest income performers in the nation, driven by oil and energy sector growth.
Highest-earning county in North Dakota
Stark County's median income of $80,744 tops all North Dakota counties, surpassing the state average of $72,537 by $8,207. The county's energy sector success has created exceptional earning opportunities for residents.
Commanding income advantage regionally
Stark County's $80,744 median household income substantially exceeds all neighboring counties, including Steele County ($80,313) and Sargent County ($77,697). The county's economic leadership is unmistakable in regional comparisons.
High home prices offset strong earnings
Despite robust median income, Stark County residents face the highest median home value of $260,400 among these eight counties, creating a 14.4% rent-to-income ratio. Homebuyers should carefully plan financing for the elevated property costs.
Capitalize on exceptional earning power
Stark County's strong income provides unique wealth-building capacity beyond housing investments. Diversify savings across retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and estate planning to maximize long-term financial security.
At 78.4 years, Stark County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by over two years. With just 16.4% reporting poor/fair health (close to the national 15% average), Stark County demonstrates strong population health outcomes.
Above-average health statewide
Stark County's 78.4-year life expectancy edges above North Dakota's 77.5 state average, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The 16.4% poor/fair health rate mirrors state patterns, indicating solid baseline health status.
Strong performer in regional context
Stark County's 78.4-year life expectancy surpasses Sargent (77.5) and Sheridan's unknown rate, ranking among the strongest in the region. The county's healthcare infrastructure supports its health outcomes well above Sioux County's crisis zone.
Robust provider network supports care
Stark County maintains 61 primary care providers and 170 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, creating strong care infrastructure. The uninsured rate of 7.5% matches the state average, meaning most residents can access this well-resourced provider network.
Build on coverage momentum
With matched state-average uninsured rates and strong providers, Stark County has good health infrastructure—ensure you're covered through Healthcare.gov or your employer plan. That 7.5% uninsured population should explore available options to access the county's robust care network.
Stark County's composite risk score of 37.34 carries a "Very Low" rating but places it above the national average, indicating elevated natural disaster exposure. Your community faces more hazard vulnerability than typical U.S. counties.
Mid-range risk within North Dakota
At 37.34, Stark County exceeds North Dakota's state average of 22.19, landing it among the state's more hazard-prone communities. This elevated score reflects above-average exposure to multiple disaster types across the county.
Riskier than most regional peers
Stark's 37.34 score exceeds Billings County (11.22) to the south and Dunn County (18.77) to the east, positioning it as the region's highest-risk county. McKenzie County (43.12) to the north presents comparable hazard exposure.
Tornado and wildfire lead threats
Tornado risk (47.90) ranks as Stark County's top hazard, followed closely by wildfire risk (54.80), both well above state averages. Flood risk (22.33) and earthquake risk (16.83) add secondary vulnerability across your landscape.
Enhanced coverage protects your investment
Homeowners in Stark County should verify their policies cover both wildfire and tornado damage, potentially requiring additional riders beyond standard coverage. Build an emergency kit, secure a weather radio, and establish a family communication plan for severe events.