1st Advantage MortgageIn Foster County, North Dakota, the typical household earns $87,831 a year and the typical rent is $780. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Foster County, and confirm each one's North Dakota license.
On this page
- Foster County in brief
- What stands out in Foster County
- What Foster County households earn
- Where Foster County households live
- Employment and commuting in Foster County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in Foster County
- Before borrowing in Foster County
- Who lives in Foster County, in numbers
- Debt-to-income at Foster County's medians
- North Dakota rules that apply in Foster County
- A Foster County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Foster County in brief
Foster County is home to about 3,358 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 32nd most populous of 53 county-level areas in North Dakota. Density: about 5.3 residents per square mile across 634 square miles of land. Metro status: none; Foster County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Largest place: Carrington, about 2,168 residents (65% of Foster County); 4 Census places in all. Because Foster County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What stands out in Foster County
Ranked against the other 52 county-level areas in North Dakota, these are the Foster County figures furthest from the middle.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Foster County sits near the bottom of North Dakota at 1.0%, 4th lowest of 53. Low unemployment does not lower your rate; your credit does.
- On median household income, Foster County sits near the top of North Dakota at $87,831, 5th highest of 53. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
- Households without a vehicle: 8.0% in Foster County. Only 5 of 53 North Dakota counties are higher. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
What Foster County households earn
Median household income in Foster County: $87,831 (15% above North Dakota, $76,657). In the state ranking that is 5th of 53.
| Income band | Share in Foster County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.9% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 32.2% | -9.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.2% | +3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.7% | +2.1 pts |
On the low end, 25% of Foster County households report under $35,000; at the top, 43% report $100,000-plus. 8.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Foster County median.
Where Foster County households live
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $780 in Foster County versus $954 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. Home values center on $167,500, or 1.9 years of median income. 80% of Foster County households own their home and 20% rent. Against the median U.S. county, Foster County rent is 11% below.
| Cost | Foster County | North Dakota figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $780/mo | $954/mo | 18% lower |
| Median home value | $167,500 | $249,900 | 33% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 63% | +16.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 39% | +12.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 9% | 21% | -11.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 5.0% | 6.6% | -1.7 pts |
| Vacant units | 14% | 12% | +1.5 pts |
With 80% of Foster County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Employment and commuting in Foster County
The biggest employer of Foster County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). Relative to North Dakota (7%), manufacturing is 6 points bigger in Foster County (13%). Averaged over the five survey years, 1.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 8%; under 15 minutes: 72%.
| Where residents work | Foster County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | -0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +3.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.4% | +5.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Other services | 7.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.4 pts |
Self-employed in Foster County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 47 miles). Richest neighbor: Nelson County, $67,193. Poorest: Eddy County, $50,850. Foster County: $87,831.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster County | - | $87,831 | $780/mo | 80% |
| Eddy County, ND | 17 mi | $50,850 | $590/mo | 72% |
| Griggs County, ND | 30 mi | $61,711 | $573/mo | 77% |
| Stutsman County, ND | 35 mi | $61,856 | $774/mo | 63% |
| Wells County, ND | 39 mi | $66,114 | $648/mo | 77% |
| Nelson County, ND | 44 mi | $67,193 | $582/mo | 75% |
| Benson County, ND | 47 mi | $64,033 | $588/mo | 73% |
Towns and communities in Foster County
2,358 of Foster County's 3,358 residents live in its 4 Census places (70%); the 4 largest are listed. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington | city | 2,168 | $77,171 | $778 | 12 mi |
| McHenry | city | 66 | $2,499 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Glenfield | city | 63 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Grace City | city | 61 | $71,250 | n/a | 6 mi |
Before borrowing in Foster County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Foster County borrowers.
- Higher earners. 43% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Who lives in Foster County, in numbers
28% of Foster County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Foster County | vs North Dakota | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | +7.5 yrs | +1.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.5% | -4.2 pts | +6.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.8% | -2.0 pts | -4.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.0% | -1.8 pts | -3.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | -1.6 pts | -2.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | +0.8 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 7.7% | -0.4 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 72.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 11.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 2.6% |
Debt-to-income at Foster County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Foster County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $7,319 gross per month ($87,831 / 12)
- 11% goes to median rent ($780)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,782 left for all other debt payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $2,514 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
North Dakota rules that apply in Foster County
Consumer lenders serving Foster County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Dakota that is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the North Dakota state guide for the statewide picture.
A Foster County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Foster County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A North Dakota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Foster County household make?
About $87,831 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 15% above the North Dakota median.
How does Foster County rent compare with North Dakota?
$780 locally versus $954 for the state, 18% below.
Does this page cover Carrington?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Foster County, such as McHenry, Glenfield, Grace City.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Foster County or elsewhere in North Dakota, the same rules apply.
What agency protects Foster County borrowers?
The North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.