CountyScore

Walsh County

North Dakota · ND

#41 in North Dakota
71.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Walsh County, North Dakota

Walsh outpaces the national norm

Walsh County's composite score of 71.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the 72nd percentile nationwide. The county delivers solid livability compared to the vast majority of U.S. counties.

Below state average but respectable

Walsh scores 71.8, slightly below North Dakota's 74.8 average, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 53 counties. While not a top performer regionally, Walsh remains competitive within its peer group.

Exceptional housing affordability

Walsh's cost score of 84.2 and tax score of 71.2 highlight its biggest strengths, with the lowest median home value among the five counties at $125,700 and rents at $766/month. The effective tax rate of 1.105% keeps the overall tax burden reasonable for residents.

Income remains a significant gap

Walsh's income score of 29.1 is the lowest among these five counties, with a median household income of just $69,976. This substantial income lag is the primary factor holding Walsh's overall livability score below state average.

Ideal for ultra-budget-conscious residents

Walsh County is best suited for those seeking the most affordable housing and living costs in rural North Dakota, even if income prospects are limited. If you prioritize rock-bottom expenses and community stability over earning potential, Walsh offers genuine value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.2Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth70.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.1Risk71WaterComing Soon
🏛71.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71
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 Walsh County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Prairie County
Arkansas
71.8
Median income: $51,094
Brown County
Illinois
71.8
Median income: $72,288
Greene County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $59,753
Huntington County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $62,734
Miami County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $61,130

Deep Dives

Walsh County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Walsh County

via TaxByCounty

Walsh taxes exceed U.S. average significantly

Walsh County's effective tax rate of 1.105% ranks well above the national median of 0.76%, placing it among higher-taxed counties nationwide. Despite this elevated rate, residents pay $1,389 median taxes—considerably below the national median of $2,690—due to lower home values.

Walsh leads North Dakota in tax rates

Walsh County carries North Dakota's highest effective property tax rate at 1.105%, nearly 25% above the state average of 0.885%. The median tax bill of $1,389 exceeds the statewide median by $71.

Walsh's rate tops all neighboring counties

Walsh County's 1.105% rate surpasses Traill County (1.044%), Ward County (1.075%), Wells County (1.040%), and Williams County (0.714%). This positions Walsh as the regional tax-burden leader in northeastern North Dakota.

Median Walsh home taxes $1,389 yearly

On a median home valued at $125,700, Walsh County residents pay approximately $1,389 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages typically add $243 to that figure through escrow accounts, reaching $1,632 total.

Walsh homeowners can file assessment appeals

Walsh County homeowners who believe their property is overassessed can file a formal challenge with the county assessor's office. Successful appeals have reduced tax bills for residents across the county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Walsh County

via CostByCounty

Walsh renters spend more than peers nationally

Walsh County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.1% exceeds both the national threshold and North Dakota's state average of 12.8%. With a median household income of $69,976—below the national median of $74,755—renters here allocate a slightly tighter share of earnings to housing.

Middle-of-the-pack affordability in North Dakota

Walsh County ranks in the middle tier of North Dakota counties for rental affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio just slightly above the state average. Homeownership is more favorable: the $692 monthly owner cost represents just 12% of household income.

Similar rent, lower home prices than rivals

Walsh County's median rent of $766 mirrors nearby Traill ($758) but trails Ward County ($1,000) considerably. Home values in Walsh ($125,700) are significantly cheaper than Traill ($193,200) and Ward ($259,100), making it the most affordable county to buy in this cluster.

Homeownership is the affordability sweet spot

Renters in Walsh pay $766 monthly (13.1% of income) while homeowners pay just $692—making mortgages the better deal here. On a median income of $69,976, the difference between renting and owning is stark: homeowners keep hundreds more in their pockets each month.

Walsh: buy instead of rent and save big

Walsh County is ideal for buyers seeking affordable homeownership; renters considering the leap will find mortgages surprisingly cheaper than rents. If you're relocating to rural North Dakota, Walsh's low home values and stable employment make it worth serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Walsh County

via IncomeByCounty

Walsh income lags national average

Walsh County's median household income of $69,976 falls 6% below the U.S. median of $74,755. While this positions Walsh below the national middle, the county's per capita income of $37,524 reflects the challenges many rural communities face in earning potential.

Below-average earnings for North Dakota

Walsh County ranks below the state median of $72,537, trailing by $2,561 despite being in a state with historically stable agricultural economies. The per capita income of $37,524 also falls short of North Dakota's state average of $40,644.

Walsh faces regional income gaps

Walsh County residents earn $9,297 less than Ward County ($79,273) and $20,248 less than Traill County ($88,289). Only Wells County ($61,346) earns less in the region, highlighting Walsh's position as a lower-income area among its neighbors.

Housing costs strain budgets

At 13.1%, Walsh County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 30% affordability standard threshold, meaning housing pressures are more acute here than elsewhere. The median home value of $125,700 represents about 1.8 years of median household income—a steeper climb than more affluent counties.

Strategic planning needed for savings

Walsh County households must prioritize intentional financial planning given tighter budgets after housing costs. Even modest contributions to employer retirement plans or high-yield savings accounts can compound significantly over time, helping build resilience against economic shifts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Walsh County

via HealthByCounty

Walsh life expectancy matches U.S. trends

Walsh County's life expectancy of 78.6 years slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years, yet 18.4% of residents report poor or fair health—above the national average of 17.9%. The county shows mixed health outcomes despite reasonable longevity.

Walsh struggles with uninsured rate

At 78.6 years, Walsh County's life expectancy slightly exceeds North Dakota's 77.5-year average, but its 10.8% uninsured rate is the state's highest among these counties. Nearly 1 in 11 Walsh residents lacks health insurance, suggesting coverage gaps that may delay care.

Walsh shows highest uninsured rate regionally

Walsh County's 10.8% uninsured rate far exceeds neighboring Traill (6.4%) and Ward (6.5%), indicating coverage challenges despite adequate provider supply. The county's 18.4% poor/fair health rate is also higher than most regional peers.

Strong mental health access, insurance gaps

Walsh offers 38 primary care and 29 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid psychiatric support compared to many rural counties. However, the 10.8% uninsured rate means many residents may forgo preventive or emergency care due to cost.

Uninsured? Explore coverage now

Walsh County's 10.8% uninsured rate is a red flag—if you're without coverage, check the ND health insurance marketplace for plans that fit your budget. Uninsured residents delay care an average of 40% more often than insured peers; coverage offers peace of mind.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Walsh County

via RiskByCounty

Walsh County remains very low risk nationally

Despite a composite score of 29.01, Walsh County ranks as Very Low when measured against national disaster risk standards. This reflects North Dakota's overall favorable position relative to high-risk regions nationwide.

Slightly above North Dakota's average risk

Walsh County's 29.01 score exceeds the state average of 22.19, placing it in the middle tier of North Dakota counties. Wildfire risk particularly drives this elevation above the state norm.

More exposed than Traill, safer than Ward

Walsh County (29.01) sits between lower-risk Traill County (11.01) and higher-risk Ward County (64.76) in the eastern part of the state. Its wildfire score of 79.17 is notably elevated compared to Traill's 23.31.

Wildfires and tornadoes lead the threats

Wildfire risk reaches 79.17 in Walsh County, a significant hazard that demands attention despite the county's overall Very Low rating. Tornado risk (40.27) and flood risk (35.40) also merit preparation, while earthquakes remain minimal.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage

Walsh County residents should ensure homeowners insurance explicitly covers wildfire damage, as standard policies sometimes exclude it. Create defensible space around your home and develop a family tornado plan for spring and early summer.

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.