Towner County's 75.9 score sits 52% above the national median of 50.0, positioning it as a genuinely livable American community. This balanced performance spans affordability, risk resilience, and health outcomes.
2 / 5
Slightly above North Dakota average
Towner's 75.9 score edges past the state average of 74.8, ranking it among the solid middle performers within North Dakota. It's a reliable, if unspectacular, choice regionally.
3 / 5
Resilience and affordability anchor livability
Towner's standout scores are risk (98.0—exceptional economic stability) and cost (85.8), with median home values of $122,800 and rent at $719/month. Tax burden is reasonable at 77.6, supporting steady household finances.
4 / 5
Income potential and health are moderate
The income score of 24.5 with median household income of $63,017 reflects limited local wage opportunities. Health outcomes at 70.8 are serviceable but lag several peer counties, suggesting fewer specialized care options.
5 / 5
For stable families seeking equilibrium
Towner County suits families and workers who prioritize economic resilience and affordable housing over income growth or advanced healthcare access. If you value community stability and reasonable living costs in rural North Dakota without depending on local employment, Towner offers balanced, unpretentious livability.
Towner County's 75.9 score sits 52% above the national median of 50.0, positioning it as a genuinely livable American community. This balanced performance spans affordability, risk resilience, and health outcomes.
Slightly above North Dakota average
Towner's 75.9 score edges past the state average of 74.8, ranking it among the solid middle performers within North Dakota. It's a reliable, if unspectacular, choice regionally.
Resilience and affordability anchor livability
Towner's standout scores are risk (98.0—exceptional economic stability) and cost (85.8), with median home values of $122,800 and rent at $719/month. Tax burden is reasonable at 77.6, supporting steady household finances.
Income potential and health are moderate
The income score of 24.5 with median household income of $63,017 reflects limited local wage opportunities. Health outcomes at 70.8 are serviceable but lag several peer counties, suggesting fewer specialized care options.
For stable families seeking equilibrium
Towner County suits families and workers who prioritize economic resilience and affordable housing over income growth or advanced healthcare access. If you value community stability and reasonable living costs in rural North Dakota without depending on local employment, Towner offers balanced, unpretentious livability.
Score breakdown
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🏛77.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Towner County's effective tax rate of 0.878% nearly matches the national average of 0.885%, making it representative of typical American property tax burden. Median property taxes of $1,078 on a home valued at $122,800 fall well below the national median of $2,690.
Slightly below North Dakota average
Towner County's effective tax rate of 0.878% sits just below the state average of 0.885%, placing it near the middle of North Dakota counties. Residents pay $1,078 in median property taxes, compared to the state median of $1,460.
Moderate burden in the northeast region
Towner's 0.878% rate is lower than Sargent County (1.142%) and Stutsman County (1.095%), but higher than Sheridan County (0.699%) and Steele County (0.952%). It represents a moderate tax environment for the northeastern region.
What a $122,800 home costs annually
A median-valued home in Towner County incurs roughly $1,078 in annual property taxes, or about $90 per month. Both with and without a mortgage, taxes remain between $1,074 and $1,098, indicating consistent valuation.
Verify your assessment regularly
Towner County homeowners should periodically review their property tax assessments for accuracy, as overvaluations can occur. Appealing an inflated assessment through the county process may result in tax savings.
Towner County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the national norm, though at $719 monthly, rent remains affordable in absolute terms. With median household income of $63,017—well below the national average of $74,755—residents here stretch further to cover housing than typical American households.
Slightly above average housing burden
Towner County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio tops North Dakota's state average of 12.8%, placing it in the less-affordable half of the state's counties. The $719 median rent runs $51 above the state median, adding modest pressure on an income base below state norms.
Mid-range rural affordability
Towner's $719 rent matches Slope County and falls between bargain Sheridan ($373) and pricier Sargent ($835), while home values at $122,800 similarly occupy the middle ground. The county offers modest rural living costs without exceptional value or premium amenities.
Renters face steeper burden than owners
At 13.7%, renters dedicate substantially more of their income to housing than the 12.3% homeowners pay toward $643 monthly owner costs. For Towner County renters especially, housing represents a tighter squeeze relative to local earning power.
Modest costs, modest economic base
Towner County offers middle-of-the-road housing costs without dramatic savings, paired with below-average incomes that make housing still feel costly. Consider this county if you bring outside income or remote work; relying on local employment may strain housing affordability.
Towner County's median household income of $63,017 falls approximately $11,738 below the national median of $74,755. The county reflects typical rural economic conditions facing small counties in the northern Great Plains.
Below North Dakota county average
Towner County's median income of $63,017 sits $9,520 below North Dakota's county average of $72,537. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of North Dakota counties for household earnings.
Middle position among regional peers
Towner County's $63,017 median household income slightly exceeds Slope County ($62,500) but trails most other neighboring counties. The county represents a mid-range income position in the regional economy.
Housing costs strain moderate incomes
Towner County residents spend 13.7% of income on rent, a significant burden relative to the county median. The median home value of $122,800 represents a substantial commitment for households earning $63,017.
Build wealth despite income constraints
With moderate income and housing costs, focus on maximizing employer benefits like retirement plans and health savings accounts. Start with modest but consistent savings goals and gradually expand investment opportunities as income grows.
At 78.6 years, Towner County's life expectancy beats the U.S. average of 76.1 by 2.5 years. However, 19.4% report poor/fair health, notably above the national 15% average, suggesting longevity masks underlying health challenges.
Life expectancy strong, health struggles
Towner County's 78.6-year life expectancy exceeds North Dakota's 77.5 state average, but its 19.4% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. This gap suggests Towner residents live longer but report higher rates of health struggles than state peers.
Mixed performance versus region
Towner County's 78.6-year life expectancy aligns with top-tier counties like Stutsman (78.2) and Stark (78.4), but its 19.4% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds neighboring counties. The disconnect between longevity and self-reported health is notable in regional context.
High uninsured rate, strong mental health
Towner County's uninsured rate of 9.5% ranks among the state's highest, exceeding the 7.5% state average by 2 percentage points. The county does feature 296 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting mental health support is available but may not fully address care access barriers.
Close coverage gap urgently
At 9.5% uninsured, Towner County trails the state significantly—if you lack coverage, visit Healthcare.gov or contact the state marketplace immediately. Combined with higher self-reported health struggles, getting covered is critical to ensuring access to mental health and primary care services available in your county.
With a composite risk score of just 2.00, Towner County earns a "Very Low" rating and ranks among the safest counties in the United States. Your community faces minimal exposure to natural disasters compared to the national average.
ND's second-safest county
Towner County's 2.00 score ranks second only to Slope County (0.64) in safety across North Dakota, sitting far below the state average of 22.19. This exceptional resilience reflects minimal hazard exposure across virtually all disaster categories.
Safest in the northeast region
Towner's 2.00 score edges out Eddy County (8.34) to the south and surpasses Ramsey County (18.97) to the east, establishing it as the region's clear safety leader. Only Slope County matches or exceeds this exceptional protection.
Wildfire is your sole notable hazard
Wildfire risk (56.77) is Towner County's primary hazard, yet even this score remains moderate in state context. Flood (1.11), tornado (7.79), and earthquake (0.45) risks are negligible.
Basic insurance coverage suffices
Towner County's exceptionally low disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance provides ample protection for most residents. Verify your policy covers wildfire, and maintain a basic emergency preparedness kit as a precaution.