1st Advantage MortgageThe median Golden Valley County household earns $68,021, and 20% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Golden Valley County
- The Golden Valley County job picture
- Income in Golden Valley County compared with North Dakota
- Rent, home values and ownership in Golden Valley County
- How Golden Valley County compares with nearby counties
- Golden Valley County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in Golden Valley County
- Reading the Golden Valley County data as a borrower
- Golden Valley County households compared
- Lender oversight for Golden Valley County
- Steps before you apply in Golden Valley County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Golden Valley County
Roughly 1,653 residents live in Golden Valley County, North Dakota, 50th by population among the state's 53 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 1,001 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.7 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Beach, with about 899 residents, or 54% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Golden Valley County figure on this page as a rough guide.
The Golden Valley County job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 19%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 19% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Golden Valley County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | -2.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 19.0% | +11.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -3.6 pts |
| Other services | 7.1% | +2.4 pts |
| Public administration | 6.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | -0.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Income in Golden Valley County compared with North Dakota
Half of Golden Valley County households take in less than $68,021 a year and half take in more, 11% below the North Dakota median of $76,657. That places it 35th among North Dakota's 53 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Golden Valley County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.9% | -3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.9% | +3.2 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 38% clear $100,000. Census counts 19.8% of Golden Valley County residents in poverty, against 10.8% across North Dakota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.412 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $68,021 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Golden Valley County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $638 in Golden Valley County versus $954 statewide. 32% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 9% spend half or more. Home values center on $123,900, or 1.8 years of median income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Median construction year: 1957.
| Home costs | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $638/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $123,900 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.8% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 12% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How Golden Valley County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 56 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Golden Valley County; Billings County is highest at $86,806 and Wibaux County lowest at $67,462. The list crosses into Montana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Valley County | - | $68,021 | $638/mo | 80% |
| Wibaux County, MT | 20 mi | $67,462 | $963/mo | 72% |
| Billings County, ND | 23 mi | $86,806 | $621/mo | 78% |
| Slope County, ND | 39 mi | $71,250 | $525/mo | 81% |
| Fallon County, MT | 50 mi | $76,250 | $779/mo | 69% |
| Dawson County, MT | 54 mi | $71,334 | $815/mo | 72% |
| Stark County, ND | 56 mi | $84,449 | $960/mo | 67% |
Golden Valley County towns compared
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Golden Valley County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 1,053 people, so roughly 36% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach | city | 899 | $62,560 | $815 | 8 mi |
| Golva | city | 97 | $48,929 | $439 | 16 mi |
| Sentinel Butte | city | 57 | $51,250 | n/a | 1 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Golden Valley County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Golden Valley County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,668 a month: gross income for a household at the Golden Valley County median
- Rent at the median, $638, takes 11% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,403 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $638, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Golden Valley County data as a borrower
Where the Golden Valley County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Retirees. At a median age of 47.2, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Golden Valley County households compared
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. 2.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.2 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.6% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.2% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 0.5% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.8% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
Lender oversight for Golden Valley County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Golden Valley County resident can confirm its license with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on North Dakota: North Dakota personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Golden Valley County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Golden Valley County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Dakota.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Golden Valley County household make?
About $68,021 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 11% below the North Dakota median.
What do renters pay in Golden Valley County?
$638 a month at the median, about 11% of median household income.
Does this page cover Beach?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Golden Valley County, such as Golva, Sentinel Butte.
Is the fit check different in Golden Valley County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Golden Valley County?
Start with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.