1st Advantage MortgageGrand Forks County households have a median income of $68,075 and median rent of $992 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Grand Forks County by the numbers
- Household income in Grand Forks County
- The Grand Forks County job picture
- Housing costs in Grand Forks County
- Counties near Grand Forks County
- Grand Forks County towns compared
- Budget math at the Grand Forks County median
- People and households in Grand Forks County
- Borrowing situations common in Grand Forks County
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Grand Forks County
- More guides for Grand Forks County
- Frequently asked questions
Grand Forks County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Grand Forks County's population at 72,923; only 2 of North Dakota's 53 county-level areas are larger. It covers 1,436 square miles of land, or about 51 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Grand Forks, ND-MN metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (9 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Grand Forks, with about 59,042 residents, or 81% of the county.
Household income in Grand Forks County
Half of Grand Forks County households take in less than $68,075 a year and half take in more, 11% below the North Dakota median of $76,657. That places it 33rd among North Dakota's 53 county-level areas.
| Band | Grand Forks County | Compared with North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.2% | +1.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.7% | -2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -2.1 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 13.2%, 2 points higher than the state's 10.8%. For a borrower in Grand Forks 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.
The Grand Forks County job picture
The biggest employer of Grand Forks County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 33% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%). Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward education and health care (33% against 26%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 7.1% of the total (5.9% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Grand Forks County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 32.6% | +6.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | +1.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | -1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Grand Forks County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Grand Forks County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $992 in Grand Forks County versus $954 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $252,700, a typical Grand Forks County house costs 3.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 52% of homes.
| Grand Forks County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $992/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $252,700 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 52% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.4% | 6.6% | n/a |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment.
Counties near Grand Forks County
Distances run center to center, from Walsh County at 34 miles out to Polk County at 50. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Grand Forks County; Traill County is highest at $87,004 and Griggs County lowest at $61,711. Some neighbors are in Minnesota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Grand Forks County resident follows North Dakota rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks County | - | $68,075 | $992/mo | 52% |
| Walsh County, ND | 34 mi | $71,944 | $748/mo | 76% |
| Nelson County, ND | 35 mi | $67,193 | $582/mo | 75% |
| Steele County, ND | 35 mi | $77,500 | $738/mo | 78% |
| Traill County, ND | 36 mi | $87,004 | $717/mo | 74% |
| Griggs County, ND | 49 mi | $61,711 | $573/mo | 77% |
| Polk County, MN | 50 mi | $73,107 | $855/mo | 71% |
Grand Forks County towns compared
10 Census places fall mainly inside Grand Forks County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 65,540 residents, leaving about 10% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $118,281 at the median in Thompson, $63,627 in Grand Forks. No Grand Forks County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | city | 59,042 | $63,627 | $980 | 17 mi |
| Grand Forks AFB | CDP | 1,987 | $72,782 | $1,626 | 3 mi |
| Larimore | city | 1,240 | $87,546 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Thompson | city | 1,138 | $118,281 | $775 | 19 mi |
| Northwood | city | 1,046 | $78,571 | $681 | 14 mi |
| Manvel | city | 368 | $91,719 | $1,330 | 16 mi |
| Emerado | city | 346 | $70,938 | $731 | 4 mi |
| Gilby | city | 322 | $92,188 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Inkster | city | 27 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Niagara | city | 24 | $88,750 | n/a | 20 mi |
Budget math at the Grand Forks County median
How much room does a median Grand Forks County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $68,075 a year is $5,673 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $992, takes 17% of that
- Under a 43% cap, $2,439 total minus rent leaves $1,447
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Grand Forks County
College graduates make up 38% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 4.5%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| Residents | Grand Forks County | North Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.9 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.0% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.1% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.5% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.5% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.3% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.5% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
Borrowing situations common in Grand Forks County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Grand Forks County borrowers.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Grand Forks County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Grand Forks County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A North Dakota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Licensing and complaints for Grand Forks County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Grand Forks County, check the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: North Dakota guide.
More guides for Grand Forks County
The North Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Grand Forks County?
$68,075 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,657 for North Dakota. It ranks 33rd of 53 in the state.
How much is rent in Grand Forks County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $992 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Grand Forks County?
By population: Grand Forks, Grand Forks AFB, Larimore, Thompson, Northwood. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Can Grand Forks 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.
Where can someone in Grand Forks County check a lender's license?
With the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.