CountyScore

Ward County

North Dakota · ND

#51 in North Dakota
66.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Ward County, North Dakota

Ward beats national median substantially

Ward County's composite score of 66.9 is significantly above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. The county offers livability well above the typical U.S. experience.

Notable underperformer in state

Ward's score of 66.9 falls notably below North Dakota's 74.8 state average, making it one of the weaker performers among the state's 53 counties. The gap suggests Ward faces challenges not present in stronger regional peers.

Strong health outcomes drive livability

Ward's health score of 76.5 and tax score of 72.0 are its strongest dimensions, reflecting solid community wellness and a manageable 1.075% effective tax rate. These factors provide a reliable foundation for resident quality of life.

Risk and cost drag down the score

Ward's risk score of just 35.3 is alarmingly low, indicating significant vulnerability to economic and environmental shocks that concern investors and planners alike. Add higher housing costs (median home value $259,100, rent $1,000/month) and limited income growth potential, and the county's composite score reflects real livability constraints.

Suits stable earners seeking urban services

Ward County works best for established professionals or those with secure incomes who want access to more services than rural alternatives provide, despite higher costs. If you value urban amenities and strong health services over ultra-affordable housing, Ward's livability profile makes sense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72Cost71.6SafetyComing SoonHealth76.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.1Risk35.3WaterComing Soon
🏛72
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.3
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 Ward County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gadsden County
Florida
66.9
Median income: $46,047
Nassau County
Florida
66.9
Median income: $88,900
Emanuel County
Georgia
66.9
Median income: $50,053
Warren County
Illinois
66.9
Median income: $64,650
Delaware County
Indiana
66.9
Median income: $56,932

Deep Dives

Ward County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ward County

via TaxByCounty

Ward County taxes match national typical

Ward County's effective tax rate of 1.075% exceeds the national median of 0.76% by about 40%, reflecting above-average property tax burden. At $2,785 in median annual taxes, Ward residents pay slightly above the national median of $2,690.

Ward ranks among ND's highest-tax counties

Ward County's 1.075% effective rate ranks third-highest across North Dakota, 21% above the state average of 0.885%. The $2,785 median tax bill substantially exceeds the statewide median of $1,460.

Ward taxes higher than most neighbors

Ward County's rate of 1.075% exceeds Wells (1.040%), Williams (0.714%), and Traill (1.044%) counties, though it falls slightly below Walsh County's 1.105%. Among the region's five counties, Ward ranks second in tax burden.

Median Ward home costs $2,785 yearly

On a median home valued at $259,100, Ward County residents pay approximately $2,785 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage escrow brings the total to roughly $2,903 for most homeowners.

Ward homeowners should review assessments

Property owners in Ward County can file an appeal if they believe their home is overassessed, potentially reducing their annual tax burden. The county assessor's office processes these requests regularly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ward County

via CostByCounty

Ward's housing costs strain local incomes

Ward County residents spend 15.1% of income on rent—the highest rent-to-income ratio among the counties examined and well above the national 12% benchmark and state average of 12.8%. Median household income of $79,273 is solid, but Ward's median rent of $1,000 pushes housing costs into uncomfortable territory.

Least affordable rental county in North Dakota

Ward County ranks lowest in rental affordability among North Dakota counties, with renters dedicating the largest share of income to housing. This reflects Minot's role as a regional economic hub, where demand for housing has outpaced supply and wage growth.

Rents spike in Ward, mortgages follow suit

Ward's median rent of $1,000 far exceeds Traill ($758), Walsh ($766), and Wells ($630), while homeownership costs of $1,228 are also the highest in the region. The median home value of $259,100 reflects Ward's stronger economy but strains first-time buyers and renters alike.

Housing eats 15% of Ward household budgets

Renters pay $1,000 monthly (15.1% of a $79,273 income), while homeowners pay $1,228 for mortgages on properties worth $259,100. For a typical family, this leaves considerably less room for retirement savings, education, and emergency funds compared to neighboring counties.

Ward: strong job market, steep housing costs

Ward County offers genuine economic opportunity through Minot's presence, but renters and homebuyers should budget carefully for housing's larger bite. If affordability is your priority, nearby Traill or Wells counties deliver comparable incomes with significantly lower housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ward County

via IncomeByCounty

Ward earns solidly above national median

Ward County's median household income of $79,273 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 6%. This modest but meaningful advantage positions Ward residents in the upper-middle range of American counties, reflecting steady economic opportunity.

North Dakota's second-highest earner

At $79,273, Ward County ranks second in North Dakota, trailing only Traill County's $88,289. The per capita income of $42,299 also surpasses the state average of $40,644, demonstrating broad-based earning strength across the county workforce.

Ward competes well with rivals

Ward County sits between Traill County ($88,289) and Walsh County ($69,976), earning more than three-quarters of its regional neighbors. This middle-ground position reflects Ward's role as a balanced mixed-economy county with both agricultural and professional sectors.

Housing costs are elevated but manageable

Ward County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio is well below the 30% affordability ceiling, though higher than Traill's 10.3%. The median home value of $259,100 is substantial, but Ward incomes support this cost, making homeownership achievable for most households.

Mid-range income supports growth plans

Ward County households with moderate housing costs have room to pursue education, skill development, and investment strategies. Consider employer benefits like 401(k) matching, health savings accounts, and diversified portfolios to maximize long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ward County

via HealthByCounty

Ward matches national life expectancy

Ward County's life expectancy of 77.5 years aligns with the U.S. average of 76.1 years, while its 15.2% poor/fair health rate falls below the national average of 17.9%. The county demonstrates typical U.S. health patterns.

Ward excels in provider access

Ward County's life expectancy of 77.5 years matches the state average, but its 78 primary care providers and 303 mental health providers per 100,000 residents far exceed the typical North Dakota county. This concentration reflects Ward's urban anchor—Minot—and its role as a regional health hub.

Ward is the region's healthcare powerhouse

Ward's 303 mental health providers per 100,000 residents dwarfs regional peers like Walsh (29) and Williams (141), making it a destination for specialized psychiatric care. The county's 78 primary care providers also lead neighboring counties, reflecting Minot's healthcare infrastructure.

Urban access masks rural coverage gaps

Ward County's 6.5% uninsured rate is competitive, supported by its exceptional provider density—nearly 1 mental health provider per 330 residents. However, this concentration in Minot may mean rural Ward residents still travel for specialized mental health care.

Leverage Ward's healthcare advantage

With 6.5% of Ward residents uninsured and abundant providers, confirming your coverage unlocks access to the region's best mental health and primary care services. Review your plan to ensure it covers specialists and emergency care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ward County

via RiskByCounty

Ward County faces notably elevated risk

With a composite score of 64.76, Ward County ranks as Relatively Low but sits well above the national average, placing it in the higher-risk category for the region. This reflects its exposure to multiple serious hazards.

Ward County is North Dakota's riskiest

At 64.76, Ward County's composite risk score nearly triples the state average of 22.19, making it the highest-risk county in North Dakota. This significant elevation reflects the convergence of tornado, wildfire, and flood threats in the county.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Ward County (64.76) faces substantially higher hazards than neighbors Traill (11.01), Walsh (29.01), and Wells (8.59). Only Williams County (53.66) approaches Ward's risk level in the region.

Tornadoes pose the greatest threat

Tornado risk (66.13) is Ward County's most serious hazard, significantly exceeding state and regional norms. Wildfire risk (79.42) and flood risk (41.89) round out the top three concerns, creating a complex disaster landscape.

Build a comprehensive emergency plan

Ward County residents should invest in tornado shelter construction or safe room installation as a priority. Review homeowners and flood insurance policies annually, consider adding sump pumps and backup power systems, and practice family tornado drills every spring.

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.