CountyScore

Traill County

North Dakota · ND

#25 in North Dakota
75.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Traill County, North Dakota

Traill well above the national average

Traill County's composite score of 75.2 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. This means Traill outperforms three-quarters of U.S. counties on overall livability.

Slightly ahead of North Dakota peers

Traill ranks above the state average with a score of 75.2 versus North Dakota's 74.8, making it a solid performer among its 53 peer counties. The county edges out most rural North Dakota communities on composite livability.

Risk and affordability lead the way

Traill's standout dimensions are risk (89.0), cost (79.9), and health (78.1), reflecting strong housing affordability with a median home value of $193,200 and a median rent of $758/month. The county also demonstrates resilience with an exceptionally high risk score, suggesting lower vulnerability to economic and environmental pressures.

Income growth lags regional peers

The income score of 41.0 is Traill's weakest dimension, with a median household income of $88,289 below what higher-scoring counties achieve. While not dire, this suggests limited income growth opportunities compared to stronger regional performers.

Perfect for cost-conscious families

Traill County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and stability, with low housing costs and strong economic resilience. If you value a tight-knit rural community with modest living expenses over high wage potential, Traill delivers solid livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.9Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth78.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome41Risk89WaterComing Soon
🏛72.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89
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 Traill County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Alabama
75.2
Median income: $60,503
Denali Borough
Alaska
75.2
Median income: $88,935
Parke County
Indiana
75.2
Median income: $66,776
Sac County
Iowa
75.2
Median income: $70,991
Pipestone County
Minnesota
75.2
Median income: $66,073

Deep Dives

Traill County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Traill County

via TaxByCounty

Traill's taxes rank above national average

Traill County's effective tax rate of 1.044% exceeds the national median of 0.76%, placing the county in the higher half of American counties. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,018 annually—falling short of the national median of $2,690, though this reflects lower home values rather than lower rates.

Among North Dakota's highest tax rates

Traill County ranks among the top tax-burden counties in North Dakota, with an effective rate of 1.044% compared to the state average of 0.885%. The $2,018 median property tax bill substantially exceeds North Dakota's state median of $1,460.

Traill taxes higher than nearby counties

Traill's 1.044% rate outpaces Wells County (1.040%) and Williams County (0.714%) nearby, though it matches Traill's regional peers in the eastern part of the state. Walsh County, just to the east, carries a slightly higher rate at 1.105%.

Median Traill home costs $2,018 yearly

On a median home valued at $193,200, Traill County residents pay approximately $2,018 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically see an additional $132 in escrow payments, bringing the total to $2,150.

Traill homeowners can challenge assessments

Many Traill County homeowners are potentially overassessed and may qualify for a reduction by appealing their property valuation to the county assessor. A successful appeal—whether through clerical correction or formal hearing—can lower your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Traill County

via CostByCounty

Traill beats the national affordability benchmark

Traill County renters spend just 10.3% of their income on rent, well below the national threshold of 12% and notably better than the state average of 12.8%. With a median household income of $88,289—18% above the national median—residents here enjoy substantial breathing room in their housing budgets.

Most affordable rental market in North Dakota

Traill County ranks among the most housing-affordable counties in North Dakota, with a rent-to-income ratio that beats 80% of the state's counties. At $758 per month for median rent, Traill offers stability without sacrificing income to housing costs.

Cheaper rents than surrounding counties

Traill's median rent of $758 undercuts nearby Walsh County ($766) and Ward County ($1,000), while homeownership costs are competitive at $986 monthly. Only Wells County ($630) offers significantly lower rents, but Traill's higher incomes make it a more balanced market overall.

Housing takes a manageable slice of income

Renters in Traill spend about $758 monthly while homeowners pay roughly $986 on a median household income of $88,289. This means housing costs consume just 10–13% of typical household income, leaving families with flexibility for savings, childcare, and other essentials.

Traill: afford to live, not just survive

If you're weighing a move to North Dakota, Traill County delivers strong incomes paired with reasonable housing costs—a rare combination. Compare this stability to nearby counties, and you'll see why Traill works for families seeking both opportunity and affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Traill County

via IncomeByCounty

Traill earns well above U.S. average

Traill County's median household income of $88,289 runs 18% higher than the national median of $74,755. This strong earning power ranks Traill in the upper tier of U.S. counties, reflecting a robust agricultural and small business economy.

Top earner in North Dakota

At $88,289, Traill County leads all North Dakota counties by median household income, outpacing the state average of $72,537 by 22%. The county's per capita income of $43,803 also exceeds the state average of $40,644, signaling strong individual earning potential.

Traill outpaces regional peers

Traill County residents earn $8,313 more than Ward County ($79,273) and $18,313 more than Walsh County ($69,976). Even compared to neighboring Williams County ($90,224), Traill remains competitive, demonstrating consistent economic strength across the region.

Housing costs are very manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 10.3%, Traill County residents dedicate less than one-tenth of their earnings to housing—well below the national affordability threshold of 30%. The median home value of $193,200 is accessible on Traill incomes, making homeownership realistic for most households.

Strong income offers wealth-building opportunity

Traill County's above-average household income creates real opportunity for saving and investing beyond housing costs. With such favorable income-to-housing ratios, residents should prioritize retirement accounts, emergency funds, and diversified investments to build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Traill County

via HealthByCounty

Traill residents live longer than average

At 78.3 years, Traill County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than two years. Just 14.1% of residents report poor or fair health, outperforming the national average of 17.9%. These numbers suggest a healthier-than-typical community.

Traill leads North Dakota in longevity

Traill County ranks among the top in the state with a life expectancy of 78.3 years, compared to the North Dakota average of 77.5 years. The county's 6.4% uninsured rate also beats the state average of 7.5%, indicating stronger coverage across the population.

Traill outpaces regional health trends

Traill's life expectancy of 78.3 years exceeds Walsh County (78.6) when accounting for uninsured rates—Traill's 6.4% is significantly lower than Walsh's 10.8%. Compared to Ward County at 77.5 years, Traill residents enjoy a clear longevity advantage.

Good primary care, mental health gaps remain

Traill has 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents but only 13 mental health providers per 100,000, suggesting strong routine care access but limited psychiatric support. The 6.4% uninsured rate means most residents have coverage, yet mental health provider scarcity may force some to travel for specialized care.

Check your coverage, boost care access

With 6.4% of Traill residents uninsured, reviewing your health insurance options through ND state marketplace resources ensures you're protected. Coverage gaps can delay mental health care—verify your plan includes behavioral health support.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Traill County

via RiskByCounty

Traill County sits well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 11.01, Traill County ranks as Very Low—substantially safer than the national average. This means residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats compared to most U.S. counties.

Among North Dakota's safest counties

Traill County's 11.01 score places it well below the state average of 22.19, making it one of North Dakota's lowest-risk counties. This protective position reflects the county's geography and climate patterns.

Safer than surrounding counties

Traill County's risk profile is notably lower than nearby Walsh County (29.01) and Ward County (64.76), which face greater tornado and wildfire exposure. Its neighbors in the region experience considerably higher composite risks.

Tornadoes and wildfires pose most threat

Tornado risk (29.99) and wildfire risk (23.31) are Traill County's primary concerns, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk is relatively modest at 12.66, and earthquake activity is minimal at 3.88.

Keep tornado preparedness front and center

While Traill County's overall risk is low, tornado season demands attention: a safe room or basement shelter is essential. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind and hail, but verify your policy includes tornado-related damage coverage.

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.