CountyScore

Williams County

North Dakota · ND

#45 in North Dakota
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Williams County, North Dakota

Williams exceeds national standards

Williams County's composite score of 70.6 significantly tops the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally. The county delivers above-average livability compared to the broader U.S. landscape.

Below state average but solid

Williams scores 70.6, slightly below North Dakota's 74.8 state average, placing it in the middle band of the state's 53 counties. While not a standout regionally, the county remains a competitive choice for residents.

Tax burden nearly lowest in nation

Williams's tax score of 82.2 is exceptional, backed by the lowest effective tax rate of 0.714% among the five counties—among the most competitive nationally. The county also posts a solid income score of 42.3, with median household income of $90,224, the second-highest in this group.

Risk score signals economic caution

Williams's risk score of 46.4 is the second-lowest among these counties, suggesting vulnerability to economic fluctuations and external pressures. Combined with higher housing costs (median home value $267,800, rent $1,108/month), these factors weigh on overall livability.

Suits high earners seeking tax relief

Williams County is ideal for professionals and entrepreneurs drawn to one of North Dakota's lowest tax rates, combined with solid incomes and reasonable tax burden. If you value financial efficiency and have stable earnings to offset higher housing costs, Williams's tax profile delivers meaningful advantage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.2Cost73.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.3Risk46.4WaterComing Soon
🏛82.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.4
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 Williams County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fremont County
Colorado
70.6
Median income: $61,027
Chattahoochee County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $59,221
Jones County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
Idaho
70.6
Median income: $69,338
Jefferson County
Indiana
70.6
Median income: $59,987

Deep Dives

Williams County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Williams County

via TaxByCounty

Williams has North Dakota's lowest tax rate

Williams County's 0.714% effective tax rate ranks below the national median of 0.76%, making it one of America's lower-taxed counties. Residents pay $1,913 in median annual taxes, below the national median of $2,690.

Williams leads ND with lowest tax burden

Williams County boasts North Dakota's lowest effective property tax rate at 0.714%, nearly 20% below the state average of 0.885%. The $1,913 median tax bill still exceeds the state median of $1,460 due to higher home values in the county.

Williams taxes substantially lower than peers

Williams County's 0.714% rate dramatically undercuts all four neighboring counties: Wells (1.040%), Traill (1.044%), Ward (1.075%), and Walsh (1.105%). This makes Williams the clear tax-advantage region in northeastern North Dakota.

Median Williams home costs $1,913 yearly

On a median home valued at $267,800, Williams County residents pay approximately $1,913 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage escrow, homeowners typically pay around $1,987.

Williams homeowners can file assessment appeals

Even in Williams County's favorable tax environment, some homeowners may still be overassessed and could benefit from filing an appeal. The county assessor's office can review valuations annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Williams County

via CostByCounty

Williams leads in income, trails in housing affordability

Williams County boasts the highest median household income ($90,224) of the five counties examined—20% above the national median—yet its rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% exceeds the national benchmark and state average. This reflects the energy sector's wage growth combined with rapidly escalating housing demand in the Williston area.

High earners, high housing costs in Williams

Williams County ranks among North Dakota's least affordable counties for renters, despite commanding the state's strongest incomes. The 14.7% rent-to-income ratio reveals that even robust wages cannot keep pace with housing cost growth driven by oil and gas industry expansion.

Williston premium: rents and homes command top prices

Williams' median rent of $1,108 trails only Ward County and reflects Williston's role as an energy hub. The median home value of $267,800 is the highest in the region, surpassing Ward County and pricing out many first-time buyers despite strong area incomes.

Energy boom inflates housing alongside wages

Renters pay $1,108 monthly (14.7% of a $90,224 income), while homeowners pay $991 on properties worth $267,800. Even with the region's strongest salaries, housing consumes a disproportionate share, squeezing budgets despite earning more than peers elsewhere in the state.

Williams: high pay, high cost, calculated risk

Williams County attracts workers with its energy sector salaries, but housing costs rise in tandem—plan for 15% of income devoted to rent. If you prioritize affordability over maximum wages, Traill County delivers nearly identical incomes at far lower housing ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Williams County

via IncomeByCounty

Williams County earns near national peak

Williams County's median household income of $90,224 runs 21% above the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the highest-earning counties nationally. The per capita income of $45,793 further confirms robust individual earning power across the workforce.

Second-highest earner in North Dakota

At $90,224, Williams County ranks second only to Traill County ($88,289), exceeding the state average of $72,537 by 24%. This elite standing reflects strong oil, agriculture, and professional service sectors driving regional prosperity.

Williams leads regional income rankings

Williams County edges out Traill by $1,935 and vastly outearns Wells County ($61,346) by $28,878. Its strong position demonstrates how energy-sector employment and economic diversification can elevate entire regional economies.

High costs offset strong incomes

At 14.7%, Williams County's rent-to-income ratio is manageable but elevated—the second-highest in the region after Ward County. The median home value of $267,800 is the highest regionally, requiring careful household budgeting despite above-average earnings.

Premium earnings support ambitious goals

Williams County's high incomes position households to pursue aggressive wealth-building strategies despite elevated housing costs. Maximize retirement contributions, establish college savings plans, and explore investment diversification to capitalize on strong earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Williams County

via HealthByCounty

Williams life expectancy slightly exceeds average

Williams County's life expectancy of 77.9 years edges above the U.S. average of 76.1 years, while its 15.9% poor/fair health rate falls below the national average of 17.9%. The county demonstrates solid health outcomes overall.

Williams mirrors North Dakota's health profile

Williams County's life expectancy of 77.9 years slightly exceeds the state average of 77.5 years, though its 9.9% uninsured rate remains above North Dakota's 7.5% state average. Coverage gaps present a notable challenge despite reasonable longevity.

Williams falls behind regional longevity leaders

Williams County's 77.9-year life expectancy ranks fourth among the five counties analyzed, trailing Wells (80.0), Walsh (78.6), and Traill (78.3). The 9.9% uninsured rate also exceeds most regional peers except Walsh (10.8%).

Solid mental health access, modest primary care

Williams offers 44 primary care providers and 141 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing decent access to both routine and psychiatric services. However, the 9.9% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 10 residents may delay care due to cost concerns.

Close Williams' coverage gap now

At 9.9% uninsured, Williams County exceeds the state average—if you lack coverage, the ND health insurance marketplace offers affordable options. With 141 mental health providers available locally, securing insurance ensures you can access the care you need.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Williams County

via RiskByCounty

Williams County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 53.66, Williams County ranks as Relatively Low but significantly exceeds the national average for disaster risk. This places it among the higher-risk counties in the nation's upper plains.

Second-highest risk county in state

Williams County's 53.66 score ranks second only to Ward County (64.76) in North Dakota, more than doubling the state average of 22.19. The county faces a multifaceted disaster risk landscape.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Williams County (53.66) approaches Ward County (64.76) in hazard exposure, far exceeding Traill (11.01), Walsh (29.01), and Wells (8.59). Only Ward County presents comparable or greater risk in northwestern North Dakota.

Wildfires and tornadoes dominate hazards

Wildfire risk (77.42) and tornado risk (53.12) are Williams County's primary threats, with wildfire exposure nearly matching Ward County's 79.42. Flood risk (42.91) and earthquake risk (18.19) also warrant attention and preparation.

Dual planning for fire and tornado

Williams County residents need both wildfire and tornado preparedness strategies: create defensible space around your home and identify or build a safe room. Confirm that homeowners insurance covers both wildfire and tornado damage, and update your emergency supply kits for extended power outages.

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.