1st Advantage MortgageThe median McIntosh County household earns $64,419, and 12% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Dakota license first.
On this page
- McIntosh County at a glance
- How much McIntosh County households make
- McIntosh County housing compared with North Dakota
- How McIntosh County residents earn a living
- McIntosh County next to its neighbors
- McIntosh County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in McIntosh County
- Before borrowing in McIntosh County
- McIntosh County households compared
- North Dakota rules that apply in McIntosh County
- A McIntosh County borrower's checklist
- More guides for McIntosh County
- Frequently asked questions
McIntosh County at a glance
McIntosh County is home to about 2,497 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 36th most populous of 53 county-level areas in North Dakota. Spread over 975 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.6 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes McIntosh County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Wishek is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 849 people (34% of the county total). With so few households sampled, McIntosh County estimates can move a lot between releases.
How much McIntosh County households make
At $64,419, the typical McIntosh County household income is 2% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 41st of 53.
| Households earning | McIntosh County | +/- vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.9% | +7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.3% | +6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -6.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -6.5 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.2% of McIntosh County residents in poverty, against 10.8% across North Dakota. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.429 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the McIntosh County median.
McIntosh County housing compared with North Dakota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $608 in McIntosh County versus $954 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 27% of renter households here. With a median value of $84,200, a typical McIntosh County house costs 1.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 79% of homes. The median home was built in 1955, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | McIntosh County | North Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $608/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $84,200 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 27% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 8% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.6% | 6.6% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like McIntosh 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.
How McIntosh County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 22%. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (22% against 8%). The survey's unemployment rate for McIntosh County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.8%). 3% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Only 5.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | McIntosh County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | +1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 22.0% | +14.0 pts |
| Other services | 7.8% | +3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.3% | -4.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.8% | +0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.7% | +0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
McIntosh County next to its neighbors
McPherson County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, LaMoure County, is 49 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than McIntosh County; LaMoure County is highest at $80,664 and Logan County lowest at $62,750. The list crosses into South Dakota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McIntosh County | - | $64,419 | $608/mo | 79% |
| McPherson County, SD | 24 mi | $66,906 | $594/mo | 81% |
| Logan County, ND | 25 mi | $62,750 | $838/mo | 83% |
| Campbell County, SD | 36 mi | $68,929 | $760/mo | 76% |
| Emmons County, ND | 41 mi | $66,538 | $568/mo | 80% |
| Dickey County, ND | 44 mi | $68,654 | $840/mo | 80% |
| LaMoure County, ND | 49 mi | $80,664 | $766/mo | 84% |
McIntosh County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside McIntosh County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 1,685 residents, leaving about 33% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these McIntosh County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wishek | city | 849 | $69,904 | $586 | 12 mi |
| Ashley | city | 599 | $42,540 | $711 | 6 mi |
| Zeeland | city | 96 | $33,750 | n/a | 22 mi |
| Venturia | city | 75 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Lehr | city | 66 | $48,036 | n/a | 12 mi |
Room for a loan payment in McIntosh County
McIntosh County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,368 a month: gross income for a household at the McIntosh County median
- Median rent: $608, or 11 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,539: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in McIntosh County
Based on the McIntosh County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Fixed incomes. McIntosh County's median age is 53.0. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
McIntosh County households compared
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 4.9%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| Residents | McIntosh County | North Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.0 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.1% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.6% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | McIntosh County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 69.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.8% |
| 60+ min | 1.3% |
North Dakota rules that apply in McIntosh County
McIntosh County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on North Dakota: North Dakota personal loans.
A McIntosh County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for McIntosh County borrowers:
- Price the McIntosh County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Dakota.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for McIntosh County
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical McIntosh County household make?
About $64,419 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% below the North Dakota median.
How does McIntosh County rent compare with North Dakota?
$608 locally versus $954 for the state, 36% below.
Does this page cover Wishek?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in McIntosh County, such as Ashley, Zeeland, Venturia.
Can McIntosh 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 McIntosh 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.