1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Benson County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $64,033. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Dakota before sharing details.
On this page
- Benson County by the numbers
- Housing costs in Benson County
- Household income in Benson County
- Employment and commuting in Benson County
- Regional comparison for Benson County
- Places inside Benson County
- Benson County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Benson County
- A Benson County household budget, worked through
- Who licenses lenders for Benson County residents
- Four steps for Benson County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Benson County by the numbers
With an estimated 5,808 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Benson County ranks 21st of 53 in North Dakota for population. Spread over 1,389 square miles, that works out to roughly 4.2 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (9 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Fort Totten, with about 1,038 residents, or 18% of the county. Because Benson County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Benson County
A typical Benson County rental runs $588 a month including utilities, which is 38% below North Dakota. By the Census definition, 39% of Benson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $90,000, or 1.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 73% of homes. The median home was built in 1972, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Benson County | North Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $588/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $90,000 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 21% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Benson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Benson County
Benson County households have a median income of $64,033 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 42nd of 53 in North Dakota.
| Household income | Benson County | vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.2% | +14.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.8% | -4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.4% | -7.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -3.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Benson County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 25.6%, 15 points higher than the state's 10.8%. For a borrower in Benson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Employment and commuting in Benson County
Education and health care employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 11%. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward public administration (10% against 5%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 74% drive to work alone and 4% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 8.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Benson County share | +/- vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.5% | +3.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.4% | +3.6 pts |
| Public administration | 10.5% | +5.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.4% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.4% | -3.9 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Benson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for Benson County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Benson County's, from 31 to 47 miles away. Foster County leads the group on income ($87,831), Eddy County trails ($50,850), and Benson County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benson County | - | $64,033 | $588/mo | 73% |
| Pierce County, ND | 31 mi | $59,365 | $850/mo | 82% |
| Ramsey County, ND | 31 mi | $61,006 | $714/mo | 55% |
| Eddy County, ND | 32 mi | $50,850 | $590/mo | 72% |
| Wells County, ND | 37 mi | $66,114 | $648/mo | 77% |
| Towner County, ND | 42 mi | $67,350 | $757/mo | 79% |
| Foster County, ND | 47 mi | $87,831 | $780/mo | 80% |
Places inside Benson County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Benson County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 2,451 people, so roughly 58% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Benson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Totten | CDP | 1,038 | $20,250 | $337 | 17 mi |
| Leeds | city | 503 | $86,172 | $544 | 15 mi |
| Maddock | city | 474 | $44,219 | $528 | 11 mi |
| Minnewaukan | city | 191 | $36,818 | $590 | 4 mi |
| Warwick | city | 83 | $45,625 | n/a | 33 mi |
| Esmond | city | 78 | $15,179 | $690 | 19 mi |
| Oberon | city | 39 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Brinsmade | city | 21 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Knox | city | 18 | $61,250 | n/a | 24 mi |
| York | city | 6 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Benson County households compared
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.4%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| People and households | Benson County | North Dakota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.6 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.9% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.4% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.6% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Benson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.9% |
| 60+ min | 2.6% |
Borrowing situations common in Benson County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Benson County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 10% of Benson County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Benson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 26% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
A Benson County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Benson County's medians:
- $64,033 a year is $5,336 of gross monthly income
- 11% goes to median rent ($588)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,921 total minus rent leaves $1,333
If your rent is above $588, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who licenses lenders for Benson County residents
The North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's North Dakota license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the North Dakota state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Benson County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the North Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Benson County household make?
About $64,033 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% below the North Dakota median.
How does Benson County rent compare with North Dakota?
$588 locally versus $954 for the state, 38% below.
I own my home in Benson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Fort Totten?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Benson County, such as Leeds, Maddock, Minnewaukan.
Can Benson County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every North Dakota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.