CountyScore

Wells County

North Dakota · ND

#18 in North Dakota
76.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Wells County, North Dakota

Wells among the nation's best counties

Wells County's composite score of 76.8 stands well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 77th percentile of all U.S. counties. The county delivers livability that rivals the strongest communities nationwide.

Top performer in North Dakota

Wells scores 76.8, above North Dakota's 74.8 state average, ranking it among the best counties in the state. The county outperforms the vast majority of its 52 peer counties in composite livability.

Risk, cost, and health excel

Wells boasts a risk score of 91.4 (the highest among the five), cost score of 87.5, and health score of 79.1, reflecting exceptional housing affordability and economic resilience. With a median home value of just $106,400 and rent at $630/month, Wells offers the most affordable housing in this group.

Income potential remains limited

Wells's income score of 23.4 is the lowest among these five counties, with a median household income of $61,346 reflecting limited wage growth opportunities. This income constraint is the primary factor preventing an even higher overall score.

Perfect for retirees and frugal families

Wells County is an outstanding choice for retirees, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing low costs and economic stability over high incomes. With some of America's most affordable housing, strong community resilience, and solid health services, Wells delivers exceptional value for those who can live on modest means.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth79.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk91.4WaterComing Soon
🏛73
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.4
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 Wells County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lamar County
Alabama
76.8
Median income: $47,447
Franklin County
Idaho
76.8
Median income: $65,991
Osage County
Missouri
76.8
Median income: $75,355
Sweet Grass County
Montana
76.8
Median income: $69,426
Murray County
Minnesota
76.7
Median income: $74,475

Deep Dives

Wells County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wells County

via TaxByCounty

Wells taxes run slightly above average

Wells County's effective tax rate of 1.040% exceeds the national median of 0.76%, placing it in the higher half of American counties. However, the $1,107 median tax bill falls well below the national median of $2,690 due to significantly lower home values.

Wells ranks among ND's higher-tax counties

Wells County's 1.040% effective rate ranks above North Dakota's average of 0.885%, contributing to a $1,107 median tax that exceeds the state median of $1,460. Wells stands as one of the state's more tax-burdened counties by rate.

Wells taxes competitive with regional peers

Wells County's 1.040% rate nearly matches Traill County (1.044%) and exceeds Williams County's notably lower 0.714%, while falling short of Walsh (1.105%) and Ward (1.075%). Wells sits comfortably in the middle of this five-county region.

Median Wells home costs $1,107 yearly

On a median home valued at $106,400, Wells County residents pay approximately $1,107 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay around $1,178 when including escrow.

Wells homeowners can challenge assessments

Many Wells County property owners may be paying taxes on inflated valuations and can file an appeal to have their assessment reviewed. The appeals process is available annually and can result in meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wells County

via CostByCounty

Wells offers the cheapest housing in the region

Wells County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.3% sits just above the national benchmark and state average, achieved through the region's lowest median rent of $630 per month. However, a median household income of $61,346—17% below the national median—means residents here have lower absolute incomes despite favorable ratios.

Top-tier rental affordability in North Dakota

Wells County ranks among the most affordable counties in North Dakota for renters, with a 12.3% rent-to-income ratio that edges below the state average. The $630 median rent is the lowest examined here, making Wells attractive for those prioritizing low housing costs.

Cheapest rents and homes in the cluster

Wells' median rent of $630 undercuts all neighbors, and the median home value of $106,400 is the most affordable in the region—less than half Walsh County's $125,700. Both metrics reflect Wells' rural character and limited employment diversity.

Ultra-low housing costs, modest incomes combine

Renters pay just $630 monthly (12.3% of income) while homeowners pay $644, among the cheapest in the state. On a median household income of $61,346, this efficiency leaves families with predictable budgets—but lower absolute earnings mean less discretionary income overall.

Wells: minimal housing costs, limited opportunity

Wells County is ideal for retirees or remote workers who value ultra-low housing costs and rural quiet over job variety. If you're seeking employment growth alongside affordability, neighboring Traill or Walsh offer higher incomes with still-reasonable housing ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wells County

via IncomeByCounty

Wells trails significantly behind U.S. median

Wells County's median household income of $61,346 runs 18% below the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects the economic headwinds facing smaller, agriculture-dependent rural counties in competing for diverse job opportunities.

Lowest income in North Dakota

Wells County ranks last in North Dakota by median household income, falling $11,191 short of the state average of $72,537. The per capita income of $42,252 matches the state average, suggesting household sizes or employment patterns unique to the county.

Wells lags all regional neighbors

Wells County earns $17,927 less than Ward County ($79,273) and $28,878 less than Williams County ($90,224). Among the five-county region, Wells faces the steepest income challenges, signaling limited higher-wage employment options locally.

Housing remains affordable despite income

Wells County's 12.3% rent-to-income ratio is the best affordability in the region, with a median home value of only $106,400. This means households dedicate minimal income to housing, offering some financial breathing room despite lower overall earnings.

Low housing costs unlock savings potential

Wells County's exceptionally affordable housing creates a rare advantage: residents can save aggressively on limited incomes. Prioritize building emergency reserves and exploring side income opportunities, then direct gains into education, skills training, or small business development to raise long-term earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wells County

via HealthByCounty

Wells residents live longer than most

Wells County's life expectancy of 80.0 years is among the highest in the nation, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years by nearly four years. Only 14.4% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 17.9%.

Wells tops the state in longevity

At 80.0 years, Wells County has the highest life expectancy among North Dakota counties analyzed and significantly exceeds the state average of 77.5 years. The 6.6% uninsured rate also beats the state average of 7.5%, suggesting robust health coverage.

Wells leads all regional peers in longevity

Wells County's 80.0-year life expectancy outpaces all neighboring counties—Traill (78.3), Walsh (78.6), Ward (77.5), and Williams (77.9)—making it a standout in the region. The combination of high longevity and low uninsured rate (6.6%) suggests effective health promotion.

Outstanding primary care, mental health data limited

Wells boasts 128 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, nearly double the regional average, ensuring strong preventive and routine care access. Mental health provider data is unavailable, limiting insight into psychiatric service availability, though the county's overall health outcomes suggest adequate care.

Maintain coverage in North Dakota's healthiest

Wells County's 80-year life expectancy reflects exceptional health—keep that momentum by confirming your insurance coverage through the ND marketplace. Preventive care access makes early health intervention possible; ensure your plan includes annual checkups and screenings.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wells County

via RiskByCounty

Wells County is among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 8.59, Wells County ranks as Very Low and sits far below the national average for disaster risk. This makes it one of the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States.

North Dakota's safest county

Wells County's 8.59 score is the lowest in North Dakota, well below the state average of 22.19. The county's protective geography and climate create an exceptionally safe environment.

Significantly safer than all neighbors

Wells County (8.59) offers markedly lower risk than nearby Traill (11.01), Walsh (29.01), Ward (64.76), and Williams (53.66) counties. It stands out as a natural haven in the state.

Wildfire is the only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 51.43 is Wells County's primary hazard, though it remains manageable with standard precautions. Tornado (22.68), flood (4.93), and earthquake (2.07) risks are all minimal.

Focus on wildfire preparedness primarily

Wells County residents should concentrate wildfire preparations on defensible space, roof maintenance, and clearing gutters of debris. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and fire; ensure your policy includes wildfires and review it annually.

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.