countyscore
72.8
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 93.4Health 90.7

County Report Card

About Steele County, North Dakota

Exceptional Quality of Life Nationwide

Steele County’s composite score of 75.8 is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a county that excels in almost every category of rural livability. It is one of the most well-rounded counties in the United States according to the index.

A Standout Performer in North Dakota

Steele County easily beats the North Dakota state average of 61.5 with its 75.8 score. It ranks among the top tier of North Dakota counties, offering a superior mix of safety and economic health. It sets a high bar for neighboring communities to follow.

Peak Safety and Financial Security

With a Safety Score of 97.5, Steele County is one of the most secure places to live in the region. Residents also enjoy high incomes ($80,313) and excellent health outcomes, scoring 90.7 in the health dimension. Housing remains affordable with a median home value of $120,400.

Managing Taxes and Local Schools

The primary area for improvement is the Tax Score of 41.6, as the effective tax rate of 0.952% is higher than some neighbors. The School Score of 52.0 is solid but represents a potential area for further investment. These are minor critiques for an otherwise high-performing county.

A Perfect Balance for Families and Professionals

Steele County is a premier choice for those who want high-paying jobs without sacrificing safety or community health. Its rare combination of high income and low home values creates incredible lifestyle mobility. It is arguably the best-kept secret for family life in North Dakota.

2040608010034.676.297.590.75277.893.48640.4Tax34.6Cost76.2Safety97.5Health90.7Schools52Income77.8Risk93.4Water86Weather40.472.8/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Steele County DNA

Coverall

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

Steele County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (93.4/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
34.6-17.4
Cost
76.2+28.200000000000003
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
90.7+40.7
Schools
52
Income
77.8+26.799999999999997
Risk
93.4+46.400000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
40.4-15.600000000000001
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Think property taxes are too high in Steele County?

Many homeowners in Steele County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$130,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$738/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$130,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,500/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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Counties with similar scores

Buffalo County
South Dakota
Median income: $47,045
72.8
Bland County
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Cumberland County
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Elliott County
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Pershing County
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Treasure County
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Oliver County
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Dundy County
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73

Nearby counties

Griggs County
North Dakota
70
Traill County
North Dakota
64.8
Barnes County
North Dakota
56.3
Grand Forks County
North Dakota
40
Nelson County
North Dakota
71.7
Cass County
North Dakota
38.5
Eddy County
North Dakota
57.5
Norman County
Minnesota
68.8

Deep Dives

Steele County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Steele County

via CrimeByCounty

Steele County Reports Perfect Safety Score

Steele County reports a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents, resulting in a perfect 100.0 safety score. This is an extraordinary figure compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

Ranking at the Top for State Safety

Steele County's zero-reported crime rate is the lowest in North Dakota, far below the state average of 976.6. While data from a single agency requires cautious interpretation, it suggests a very safe environment.

The Quietest County in the Region

Steele County stands out among its neighbors for having no reported criminal incidents in 2022. This makes it a significant outlier compared to the more typical crime rates seen in the surrounding counties.

No Reported Violent or Property Crime

There were zero violent crimes and zero property crimes reported per 100,000 residents in 2022. This represents a rare level of community safety that is nearly unparalleled across the country.

Maintaining Steele County's Safe Environment

Even with zero reported crimes, staying alert and maintaining basic home security is always a smart move. A vigilant community is the best defense against a change in these excellent statistics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Steele County

via WeatherByCounty

A Truly Cold Northern Climate

Steele County is one of the coldest spots in the nation, with an annual average temperature of just 38.7°F. This is nearly 17 degrees below the national median for temperature. The climate is defined by long, harsh winters and short, vibrant summers.

Colder than the State Average

While the North Dakota state average is 41.0°F, Steele County remains significantly cooler at 38.7°F. It ranks among the coldest counties in the state due to its northeastern position. This chill persists even as other parts of the state begin to thaw.

The Chilly Red River Valley

Steele County is much colder than western counties like Stark, particularly in winter. It receives 20.9 inches of precipitation, making it wetter than the arid western plains. It shares this cold, moist profile with neighbors like Towner County.

Sub-Zero Starts and Mild Summers

January is brutal with an average temperature of 4.1°F, contributing to a winter average of 7.9°F. Summers are mild with only 11 days of extreme heat and a July average of 68.7°F. The county averages 34.7 inches of snow annually.

Essential Cold-Weather Preparation

Heavy-duty heating systems are a non-negotiable requirement for the 4.1°F January averages. Residents should stock winter emergency kits to handle the 34.7 inches of snow and extreme wind chills. Summer cooling needs are modest given the few days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Steele County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Earth in Steele County

Steele County has an average pH of 7.29, making it one of the more alkaline areas in the state. This level is significantly higher than the national median of 6.5.

Sandy Loam Characteristics

With 41.6% sand and 39.2% silt, the soil here is light and easy to till. The relatively low 19.2% clay content helps prevent the soil from becoming too compacted.

High Water Holding Capacity

Organic matter reaches 4.15%, which is strong but slightly behind the state average of 4.69%. The available water capacity of 0.189 in/in is higher than the state average, providing a great moisture reservoir.

Predicting Drainage Trends

Official drainage data is not recorded, but the high sand percentage generally points to good drainage. This prevents water from pooling around plant roots after heavy North Dakota storms.

Short Season Success

Gardeners in Zone 4a focus on fast-growing varieties like spinach and beets. The easy-to-work soil makes it simple to prepare beds as soon as the ground thaws.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Steele County

via LawnByCounty

Steele County Offers Prime Growing Conditions

Steele County's lawn difficulty score of 57.1 is one of the highest in the state, beating the North Dakota average of 54.0. This Zone 4a county provides a relatively forgiving environment for those looking to maintain a lush, green yard.

Cooler Summers Benefit Northern Turf

With only 11 extreme heat days and 20.9 inches of rain, Steele County avoids the harsh scorching seen in western North Dakota. The 2,011 growing degree days support steady, manageable growth without the constant mowing required in warmer climates.

Sandy Texture Requires Nutrient Care

The soil is comprised of 41.6% sand, which promotes drainage but may lead to nutrient leaching. A pH of 7.29 is slightly high, so consider using sulfur-based fertilizers to bring the alkalinity down closer to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range.

Stable Moisture for Worry-Free Lawns

Remarkably, Steele County saw zero weeks of drought over the past year. While 0.3% of the area is currently listed as abnormally dry, the overall moisture stability makes this one of the most reliable counties for lawn care in the state.

Seeding Success Begins in Early May

Wait until after May 10th to start your lawn projects to avoid late spring frost damage. Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass are top performers here, provided they are established before the first frost on September 24th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Steele County's county score?
Steele County, North Dakota has a composite county score of 72.8 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 Steele County rank among counties in North Dakota?
Steele County ranks #5 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 Steele County, North Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Steele County is $1,322, with an effective tax rate of 1.01%. This earns Steele County a tax score of 34.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Steele County?
The median household income in Steele County, North Dakota is $77,500 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Steele County earns an income score of 77.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Steele County, North Dakota a good place to live?
Steele County scores 72.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in North Dakota. The best way to evaluate Steele 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 Steele 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.