CountyScore

Steele County

North Dakota · ND

#7 in North Dakota
78.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Steele County, North Dakota

A genuinely livable American county

Steele County's 78.9 score sits 58% above the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid performance across multiple dimensions. This above-average standing demonstrates balanced livability and opportunity.

Strong performer in North Dakota

Steele ranks above the state average with a 78.9 score versus North Dakota's 74.8, establishing it as one of the better counties regionally. It's a reliable choice within the state's top tier.

Strong incomes and balanced living

Steele combines solid income (35.8) with a median household income of $80,313 and excellent affordability (87.2), with rent at just $630/month. Health (80.6) and risk (93.4) scores are both strong, reflecting economic resilience and community stability.

Taxes are moderately higher

The tax score of 75.5 and effective rate of 0.952% are reasonable but not the county's standout feature compared to ultra-low-tax peers. This remains a minor consideration in the broader livability picture.

For balanced-opportunity rural living

Steele County suits working families seeking reasonable incomes, affordable housing, and health services in a stable rural setting. If you want small-town living without extreme trade-offs—good income potential, manageable costs, and community resilience—Steele delivers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.5Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth80.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.8Risk93.4WaterComing Soon
🏛75.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡93.4
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 Steele County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Loving County
Texas
78.9
Median income: $51,087
Custer County
Colorado
79
Median income: $72,700
Rock County
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79
Median income: $57,500
Bland County
Virginia
79
Median income: $61,375
Highland County
Virginia
78.8
Median income: $62,946

Deep Dives

Steele County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Steele County

via TaxByCounty

Steele taxes slightly exceed national average

Steele County's effective tax rate of 0.952% is modestly higher than the national average of 0.885%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of American counties. With annual property taxes of $1,146 on a median home valued at $120,400, residents pay well below the national median of $2,690.

Above-average rate for North Dakota

Steele County ranks in the upper portion of North Dakota counties at 0.952%, above the state average of 0.885%. Median property taxes of $1,146 exceed the state median of $1,460 by percentage of home value, reflecting strong tax rates.

Higher burden than most nearby areas

Steele's 0.952% rate is noticeably higher than Towner County (0.878%), Sheridan County (0.699%), and Slope County (0.379%), though lower than Sargent County (1.142%) and Stutsman County (1.095%). It ranks in the region's upper-middle tier.

What a $120,400 home costs annually

A median-valued home in Steele County incurs roughly $1,146 in annual property taxes, or about $96 per month. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,293, while outright ownership drops to $1,033.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Steele County residents should verify their property assessments regularly, as overvaluation is possible regardless of local tax rates. An appeal process can correct errors and provide tax relief for qualifying homeowners.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Steele County

via CostByCounty

Steele County offers above-average affordability

At 9.4%, Steele County's rent-to-income ratio is notably below the national norm, reflecting a county where modest rents meet solid incomes. With median household income of $80,313 and rent at just $630 monthly, residents enjoy genuine housing affordability compared to typical American households.

Best-in-class North Dakota affordability

Steele County ranks among North Dakota's most affordable, with a 9.4% rent-to-income ratio well below the state average of 12.8%. The $630 median rent runs below the state average of $770, while median income of $80,313 exceeds most county peers.

Strong value vs. wealthier neighbors

Steele County's $630 rent undercuts Sargent ($835) and Stark ($966) while staying affordable relative to income. At $120,400, median home values fall between rural bargains like Sheridan ($107,700) and pricier neighbors, offering efficient value for homebuyers.

Renters and owners both get good deals

Renters spend 9.4% of income on $630 monthly rent, while homeowners dedicate 9.9% to $661 owner costs—among the state's lowest percentages. This efficiency holds even among homebuyers, suggesting Steele County delivers broad-based affordability.

Balance of affordability and income strength

If you're relocating to North Dakota and housing affordability matters, Steele County delivers genuine value without sacrificing local earning potential. Strong income combined with below-average housing costs makes this county a standout choice for budget-conscious movers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Steele County

via IncomeByCounty

Steele County exceeds national income

Steele County's median household income of $80,313 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by approximately $5,558. The county ranks among the nation's stronger income performers, reflecting a stable, diversified economy.

Second-highest income in North Dakota

Steele County's median income of $80,313 ranks second statewide, exceeding North Dakota's county average of $72,537 by $7,776. Only Stark County earns more among all North Dakota counties.

Strong income among regional peers

Steele County's $80,313 median household income rivals Stark County ($80,744) and exceeds Sargent County ($77,697) by a comfortable margin. The county's economic strength is evident in regional income rankings.

Excellent housing affordability

Steele County residents enjoy a rent-to-income ratio of just 9.4%, the second-lowest burden among these counties. The median home value of $120,400 remains highly accessible for households earning the county median.

Build significant wealth capacity

Steele County's strong income and affordable housing create substantial surplus for savings and investment. Work with financial professionals to develop comprehensive wealth strategies including retirement planning and long-term investment diversification.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Steele County

via HealthByCounty

Steele County leads U.S. longevity

At 80.9 years, Steele County's life expectancy ranks among the highest in America, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years by nearly five years. Just 14.4% report poor/fair health, well below the national 15% average, indicating exceptional population health.

North Dakota's healthiest county

Steele County's 80.9-year life expectancy dramatically outpaces North Dakota's 77.5 state average by 3.4 years, making it a clear state leader. The 14.4% poor/fair health rate is among the best in North Dakota, reflecting sustained excellent health outcomes.

Outstanding regional health outcomes

Steele County's 80.9-year life expectancy and 14.4% poor/fair health rate far surpass neighboring counties—Stark County (78.4 years), Sargent County (77.5), and all others in the region. Steele stands as a clear health leader across the surrounding area.

Strong coverage backs exceptional health

Steele County's uninsured rate of 5.7% beats the state average of 7.5%, ensuring most residents access care. Provider data is limited, but the combination of low uninsured rates and exceptional life expectancy suggests strong healthcare access supports this county's outstanding outcomes.

Protect Steele's health advantage

With 5.7% uninsured and exceptional health outcomes, Steele County is doing it right—but that remaining 5.7% should review coverage options through Healthcare.gov or state plans. Maintaining universal coverage helps Steele County preserve its position as North Dakota's healthiest community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Steele County

via RiskByCounty

Steele ranks safely below average

With a composite risk score of 6.65, Steele County earns a "Very Low" rating and ranks well below the national average for disaster risk. Your community enjoys substantially safer conditions than most U.S. counties.

Among ND's lowest-risk counties

Steele County's 6.65 score sits significantly below North Dakota's state average of 22.19, placing it firmly in the state's safest communities. This advantage reflects minimal exposure to major natural hazards across the region.

Comparable safety to regional peers

Steele's 6.65 score resembles nearby Sargent County (7.44) and Towner County (2.00), establishing the east-central region as one of North Dakota's safest areas. All three counties dramatically underperform the state average.

Wildfire and tornado are modest concerns

Wildfire risk (17.02) and tornado risk (16.76) represent Steele County's primary hazards, though both scores remain low relative to state and national comparisons. Flood and earthquake risks are negligible.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Steele County's minimal disaster risks mean standard homeowners coverage provides adequate protection for most residents. Confirm your policy includes wildfire and tornado coverage, and review your emergency preparedness plan annually.

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.