1st Advantage MortgageIn McKenzie County, North Dakota, the typical household earns $93,404 a year and the typical rent is $1,284. 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
- Getting oriented in McKenzie County
- How McKenzie County residents earn a living
- Household income in McKenzie County
- Housing costs in McKenzie County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in McKenzie County
- Regional comparison for McKenzie County
- Debt-to-income at McKenzie County's medians
- Before borrowing in McKenzie County
- McKenzie County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A McKenzie County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for McKenzie County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in McKenzie County
Roughly 14,321 residents live in McKenzie County, North Dakota, 10th by population among the state's 53 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 2,760 square miles, that works out to roughly 5.2 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes McKenzie County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (3 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Watford City, with about 6,039 residents, or 42% of the county.
How McKenzie County residents earn a living
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 14%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of McKenzie County workers | vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 27.7% | +19.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.2% | -11.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.8% | +4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.4% | +2.5 pts |
| Public administration | 4.9% | +0.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in McKenzie County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in McKenzie County
The median household income in McKenzie County is $93,404; statewide it is $76,657, so McKenzie County runs 22% above North Dakota as a whole.
| Income band | Share in McKenzie County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.4% | -7.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.2% | -4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.5% | +4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 16.8% | +7.2 pts |
Some 14% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 48% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 12.0%, 1 point higher than the state's 10.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.453 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 McKenzie County median.
Housing costs in McKenzie County
Renters in McKenzie County pay a median of $1,284 a month, 35% above the North Dakota figure of $954. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 22% of renter households here. Home values center on $349,600, or 3.7 years of median income. Owners occupy 53% of homes. The median year built is 2011.
| Cost | McKenzie County | North Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,284/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $349,600 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 53% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 22% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.8% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 12% | 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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in McKenzie County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 52% of McKenzie County residents live in one of the 6. No McKenzie County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watford City | city | 6,039 | $102,260 | $1,336 | 8 mi |
| Mandaree | CDP | 620 | $64,545 | $820 | 33 mi |
| Alexander | city | 255 | $121,953 | $1,375 | 13 mi |
| Arnegard | city | 201 | $80,536 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Four Bears Village | CDP | 154 | n/a | $628 | 41 mi |
| East Fairview | CDP | 137 | n/a | n/a | 30 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Regional comparison for McKenzie County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (43 to 59 miles). Income ranges from $68,021 in Golden Valley County to $97,689 in Dunn County; 1 of these neighbors top McKenzie County's median. The list crosses into Montana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKenzie County | - | $93,404 | $1,284/mo | 53% |
| Williams County, ND | 43 mi | $85,595 | $1,123/mo | 53% |
| Dunn County, ND | 46 mi | $97,689 | $922/mo | 74% |
| Billings County, ND | 51 mi | $86,806 | $621/mo | 78% |
| Richland County, MT | 54 mi | $73,084 | $917/mo | 67% |
| Mountrail County, ND | 58 mi | $80,717 | $950/mo | 62% |
| Golden Valley County, ND | 59 mi | $68,021 | $638/mo | 80% |
Debt-to-income at McKenzie County's medians
Here is the McKenzie County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,784 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $1,284 uses 16%
- $1,829: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in McKenzie County
A few patterns in the McKenzie County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 11% of McKenzie County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 19% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Consolidation math. With 48% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
McKenzie County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. 10.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.5 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.9% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.9% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.3% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | McKenzie County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 10.6% |
A McKenzie County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in McKenzie County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for McKenzie County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a McKenzie County resident can confirm its license with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: North Dakota guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in McKenzie County?
$93,404 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,657 for North Dakota. It ranks 2nd of 53 in the state.
How does McKenzie County rent compare with North Dakota?
$1,284 locally versus $954 for the state, 35% above.
What are the biggest places in McKenzie County?
By population: Watford City, Mandaree, Alexander, Arnegard, Four Bears Village. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in McKenzie County or elsewhere in North Dakota, the same rules apply.
Is there a McKenzie County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Dakota it is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions.