Best overall
LaMoure County
Overall score 83.6
Economy 62.7 / Affordability 94.4
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in North Dakota
Compare counties in North Dakota by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 53 North Dakota counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in North Dakota
Put North Dakota counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open North Dakota rankings
Open the full North Dakota ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
North Dakota county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
Dickey County
Family score 90.9
Schools 98.2 / Safety 98.6
Best value
Slope County
Value score 87.2
Affordability 85.2 / Taxes 96.9
Most affordable
LaMoure County
Affordability 94.4
Typical home $146,263
Best schools
Dickey County
Schools 98.2
Safety 98.6 / Economy 65.2
Safest
Steele County
Safety 100
Schools 96.6 / Peace 87.1
Low taxes
Slope County
Taxes 96.9
Affordability 85.2 / Typical home $170,000
Peace & quiet
Ramsey County
Peace & Quiet 98.1
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in North Dakota
View full- 1LaMoure County
Typical home $146,263
83.6
Overall
- 2Towner County
Typical home $131,821
82.3
Overall
- 3Dickey County
Typical home $168,745
81.9
Overall
- 4Wells County
Typical home $132,761
81.7
Overall
- 5Foster County
Typical home $184,311
81.1
Overall
Best counties for families in North Dakota
View full- 1Dickey County
Typical home $168,745
90.9
Family
- 2Steele County
Typical home $130,700
90.9
Family
- 3LaMoure County
Typical home $146,263
90.8
Family
- 4Foster County
Typical home $184,311
89.7
Family
- 5Pierce County
Typical home $147,300
88.5
Family
Best value counties in North Dakota
View full- 1Slope County
Typical home $170,000
87.2
Value
- 2Burke County
Typical home $140,162
84.8
Value
- 3Divide County
Typical home $167,600
83.9
Value
- 4LaMoure County
Typical home $146,263
83.3
Value
- 5Sheridan County
Typical home $128,478
82.5
Value
Most affordable counties in North Dakota
View full- 1LaMoure County
Typical home $146,263
94.4
Afford.
- 2Sheridan County
Typical home $128,478
92.9
Afford.
- 3Logan County
Typical home $102,000
91.8
Afford.
- 4Towner County
Typical home $131,821
91.4
Afford.
- 5Wells County
Typical home $132,761
90.8
Afford.
Best school counties in North Dakota
View full- 1Dickey County
Typical home $168,745
98.2
Schools
- 2Foster County
Typical home $184,311
96.8
Schools
- 3Steele County
Typical home $130,700
96.6
Schools
- 4Golden Valley County
Typical home $184,552
95.3
Schools
- 5Barnes County
Typical home $193,628
94.6
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in North Dakota
View full- 1Slope County
Typical home $170,000
96.9
Taxes
- 2Billings County
Typical home $331,000
92
Taxes
- 3Kidder County
Typical home $213,803
89.5
Taxes
- 4McKenzie County
Typical home $367,243
89
Taxes
- 5Sioux County
Typical home $85,400
87.9
Taxes
Quietest counties in North Dakota
View full- 1Ramsey County
Typical home $222,690
98.1
Quiet
- 2Pierce County
Typical home $147,300
97.9
Quiet
- 3Stutsman County
Typical home $224,540
97.4
Quiet
- 4Foster County
Typical home $184,311
95.7
Quiet
- 5Sargent County
Typical home $175,719
95.7
Quiet
Safest counties in North Dakota
View full- 1Steele County
Typical home $130,700
100
Safety
- 2Dickey County
Typical home $168,745
98.6
Safety
- 3Burke County
Typical home $140,162
98.5
Safety
- 4Stark County
Typical home $310,355
98
Safety
- 5Kidder County
Typical home $213,803
97.6
Safety
Popular North Dakota county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in North Dakota
The best county in North Dakota depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in North Dakota
For best overall counties in North Dakota, LaMoure County, Towner County, and Dickey County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in North Dakota
For families, Dickey County, Steele County, and LaMoure County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in North Dakota
For affordability-focused movers, LaMoure County, Sheridan County, and Logan County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in North Dakota
For school-first households, Dickey County, Foster County, and Steele County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in North Dakota
For lower tax-pressure searches, Slope County, Billings County, and Kidder County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in North Dakota
For quieter-living searches, Ramsey County, Pierce County, and Stutsman County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to North Dakota
Compare county scale carefully in North Dakota; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in North Dakota
What is the best county to live in North Dakota?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, LaMoure County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in North Dakota for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Dickey County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in North Dakota?
LaMoure County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which North Dakota counties score well for schools or taxes?
Dickey County currently leads the school-score view, while Slope County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All North Dakota counties
Showing all 53 North Dakota counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LaMoure County FIPS 38045 | 83.6 | 62.7 | 94.4 | 93.4 | 93.4 | 70.6 | 92.3 | $146,263 | $80,664 |
| 2 | Towner County FIPS 38095 | 82.3 | 67.4 | 91.4 | 91.6 | 88.2 | 64.9 | 91.5 | $131,821 | $67,350 |
| 3 | Dickey County FIPS 38021 | 81.9 | 65.2 | 80.8 | 98.2 | 98.6 | 63.3 | 93.4 | $168,745 | $68,654 |
| 4 | Wells County FIPS 38103 | 81.7 | 69.9 | 90.8 | 83.7 | 88.8 | 67.8 | 93.3 | $132,761 | $66,114 |
| 5 | Foster County FIPS 38031 | 81.1 | 65.8 | 84.9 | 96.8 | 93.1 | 53.4 | 95.7 | $184,311 | $87,831 |
| 6 | Steele County FIPS 38091 | 80.3 | 54.1 | 88.3 | 96.6 | 100 | 59.9 | 87.1 | $130,700 | $77,500 |
| 7 | Bowman County FIPS 38011 | 79.6 | 65.8 | 78.3 | 91.5 | 86.8 | 77 | 90.7 | $183,492 | $72,109 |
| 8 | Pembina County FIPS 38067 | 79.4 | 67.2 | 88.5 | 81.9 | 86.7 | 64.5 | 93.7 | $132,947 | $68,393 |
| 9 | Adams County FIPS 38001 | 78.5 | 59.2 | 82.8 | 94.1 | 85.1 | 67.9 | 91.9 | $136,450 | $62,500 |
| 10 | Eddy County FIPS 38027 | 78.4 | 61.7 | 87.7 | 94 | 82.2 | 53.4 | 90.9 | $116,782 | $50,850 |
| 11 | Traill County FIPS 38097 | 78.2 | 69.8 | 79 | 87.5 | 87.2 | 57.4 | 94.1 | $211,640 | $87,004 |
| 12 | Burke County FIPS 38013 | 77.7 | 76.2 | 85.5 | 51.2 | 98.5 | 82.6 | 79.8 | $140,162 | $91,591 |
| 13 | Renville County FIPS 38075 | 77.7 | 64 | 76.8 | 92 | 81.3 | 80.1 | 78.6 | $186,736 | $74,301 |
| 14 | Nelson County FIPS 38063 | 77.5 | 70.7 | 82.2 | 75 | 82.4 | 75.9 | 87.3 | $151,639 | $67,193 |
| 15 | Pierce County FIPS 38069 | 76.9 | 48.4 | 88.5 | 90.6 | 97.3 | 50.4 | 97.9 | $147,300 | $59,365 |
| 16 | Griggs County FIPS 38039 | 76.8 | 58.3 | 87.1 | 83.4 | 83.9 | 67.6 | 88.8 | $128,850 | $61,711 |
| 17 | Golden Valley County FIPS 38033 | 76.6 | 64.6 | 76 | 95.3 | 66.5 | 79.8 | 87.8 | $184,552 | $68,021 |
| 18 | Hettinger County FIPS 38041 | 76.5 | 71.6 | 85.3 | 68.8 | 85.4 | 61.6 | 91.5 | $135,967 | $73,026 |
| 19 | McIntosh County FIPS 38051 | 75.7 | 53.9 | 89.9 | 87 | 80.6 | 58 | 88.9 | $84,200 | $64,419 |
| 20 | Billings County FIPS 38007 | 75.6 | 76.3 | 54.7 | 74.5 | 97.3 | 92 | 83.5 | $331,000 | $86,806 |
| 21 | Grant County FIPS 38037 | 75.3 | 53.9 | 89.3 | 75.1 | 92 | 66.1 | 81.9 | $93,200 | $57,875 |
| 22 | Cavalier County FIPS 38019 | 75.2 | 70.1 | 79.7 | 72.5 | 89.5 | 54.7 | 87.5 | $163,327 | $69,531 |
| 23 | Mercer County FIPS 38057 | 75.2 | 63.6 | 72.6 | 83.5 | 95.6 | 57.2 | 88.6 | $231,337 | $80,946 |
| 24 | Barnes County FIPS 38003 | 74.8 | 51.2 | 72.3 | 94.6 | 96.9 | 58.3 | 92.3 | $193,628 | $68,038 |
| 25 | Divide County FIPS 38023 | 74.3 | 77.4 | 86.2 | 39.3 | 86.7 | 82.7 | 84.4 | $167,600 | $91,852 |
| 26 | Bottineau County FIPS 38009 | 74 | 65.9 | 73.9 | 78.5 | 77.2 | 76.7 | 82.2 | $210,385 | $85,000 |
| 27 | Logan County FIPS 38047 | 73.7 | 54.1 | 91.8 | 79.8 | 71.5 | 60.9 | 89.5 | $102,000 | $62,750 |
| 28 | McHenry County FIPS 38049 | 72.4 | 50.8 | 89.2 | 67.4 | 79.3 | 79.7 | 81.6 | $153,384 | $80,733 |
| 29 | Walsh County FIPS 38099 | 72.4 | 71.5 | 85.4 | 62.4 | 65 | 63.4 | 92.8 | $157,408 | $71,944 |
| 30 | Stutsman County FIPS 38093 | 71.8 | 62.7 | 59 | 86.3 | 96.2 | 48 | 97.4 | $224,540 | $61,856 |
| 31 | Stark County FIPS 38089 | 71.2 | 72 | 55.6 | 67.8 | 98 | 64.3 | 93 | $310,355 | $84,449 |
| 32 | Sargent County FIPS 38081 | 70.9 | 53.1 | 83.5 | 74.2 | 77.7 | 54.8 | 95.7 | $175,719 | $77,946 |
| 33 | Kidder County FIPS 38043 | 70.7 | 55.9 | 64.9 | 63.4 | 97.6 | 89.5 | 85.1 | $213,803 | $65,610 |
| 34 | McLean County FIPS 38055 | 70.5 | 64.2 | 77.2 | 60.3 | 81 | 67.1 | 83.7 | $212,100 | $83,583 |
| 35 | Morton County FIPS 38059 | 70.4 | 75.9 | 54.2 | 64.2 | 96.8 | 58.1 | 93.2 | $318,880 | $79,382 |
| 36 | Ramsey County FIPS 38071 | 70 | 59.9 | 57.6 | 78.7 | 95.6 | 56.8 | 98.1 | $222,690 | $61,006 |
| 37 | Grand Forks County FIPS 38035 | 69.7 | 70.6 | 48.1 | 81.7 | 96.7 | 44.7 | 94.8 | $284,894 | $68,075 |
| 38 | Richland County FIPS 38077 | 69.4 | 71.4 | 70.8 | 50.5 | 89 | 57.9 | 93 | $222,822 | $75,432 |
| 39 | Emmons County FIPS 38029 | 69.2 | 42.3 | 82.4 | 68.5 | 83.9 | 73.7 | 87.4 | $145,400 | $66,538 |
| 40 | Dunn County FIPS 38025 | 69.1 | 85.1 | 46.9 | 52.8 | 85.3 | 87.1 | 81.4 | $384,084 | $97,689 |
| 41 | Ransom County FIPS 38073 | 68.9 | 57.2 | 78.8 | 71.6 | 69.2 | 54.8 | 95.1 | $193,954 | $75,736 |
| 42 | Slope County FIPS 38087 | 68.2 | 63.9 | 85.2 | 10.9 | 97.4 | 96.9 | 89.6 | $170,000 | $71,250 |
| 43 | Ward County FIPS 38101 | 68 | 71 | 57.8 | 66.6 | 87.8 | 47.7 | 91.3 | $277,618 | $78,238 |
| 44 | Sheridan County FIPS 38083 | 67.7 | 45.4 | 92.9 | 33.1 | 92.6 | 81.8 | 88.3 | $128,478 | $62,639 |
| 45 | Oliver County FIPS 38065 | 67.5 | 54.8 | 67.4 | 49.5 | 97 | 82.2 | 85.4 | $251,891 | $77,240 |
| 46 | Burleigh County FIPS 38015 | 65.5 | 79.9 | 51 | 78.1 | 42.7 | 61.1 | 93.6 | $362,350 | $86,851 |
| 47 | Cass County FIPS 38017 | 61.2 | 76.2 | 45.7 | 91.2 | 26.9 | 39.1 | 90.3 | $328,967 | $75,555 |
| 48 | Williams County FIPS 38105 | 60.9 | 75.5 | 41.7 | 28.7 | 91.5 | 77.6 | 86.6 | $343,436 | $85,595 |
| 49 | Benson County FIPS 38005 | 59.6 | 45.4 | 83.3 | 1 | 95.2 | 83.8 | 92.1 | $147,236 | $64,033 |
| 50 | McKenzie County FIPS 38053 | 58.3 | 74.6 | 42.8 | 22.3 | 75.1 | 89 | 85.8 | $367,243 | $93,404 |
| 51 | Mountrail County FIPS 38061 | 57.8 | 69.2 | 62 | 4.9 | 74.4 | 84.6 | 88.2 | $236,830 | $80,717 |
| 52 | Rolette County FIPS 38079 | 57 | 34.4 | 87.1 | 8.4 | 93 | 63.5 | 92 | $103,800 | $59,517 |
| 53 | Sioux County FIPS 38085 | 50.8 | 33.1 | 85.7 | 0.1 | 50.6 | 87.9 | 94.2 | $85,400 | $42,083 |