1st Advantage MortgageIn McLean County, North Dakota, the typical household earns $83,583 a year and the typical rent is $784. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- McLean County, ND: the basics
- How much McLean County households make
- Jobs and commutes in McLean County
- What it costs to live in McLean County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in McLean County
- Who lives in McLean County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for McLean County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at McLean County's medians
- Steps before you apply in McLean County
- Lender oversight for McLean County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
McLean County, ND: the basics
With an estimated 9,823 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), McLean County ranks 15th of 53 in North Dakota for population. Land area is 2,110 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 5 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes McLean County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (11 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Washburn, with about 1,507 residents, or 15% of the county. Because McLean County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How much McLean County households make
The median household income in McLean County is $83,583; statewide it is $76,657, so McLean County runs 9% above North Dakota as a whole.
| Income band | Share in McLean County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.6% | -3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.6% | -0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.8% | +7.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -2.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 42% of McLean County households make $100,000 or more, and 18% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 8.9%, 2 points lower than the state's 10.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.406 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the McLean County median.
Jobs and commutes in McLean County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed McLean County residents work in education and health care and 17% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (17% against 8%). Averaged over the five survey years, 1.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. 3.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | McLean County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | -3.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.1% | +9.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.2% | +4.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -3.7 pts |
| Public administration | 6.9% | +2.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in McLean County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in McLean County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $784 in McLean County versus $954 statewide. 27% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 3% spend half or more. Home values center on $227,100, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 84%. The median home was built in 1975, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| McLean County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $784/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $227,100 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 27% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.7% | 6.6% | n/a |
Because most McLean County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (31 to 58 miles). None of the six report a higher median household income than McLean County; Mercer County is highest at $80,946 and Sheridan County lowest at $62,639.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLean County | - | $83,583 | $784/mo | 84% |
| Mercer County, ND | 31 mi | $80,946 | $1,031/mo | 81% |
| Oliver County, ND | 37 mi | $77,240 | $756/mo | 95% |
| Ward County, ND | 39 mi | $78,238 | $1,048/mo | 61% |
| Sheridan County, ND | 51 mi | $62,639 | $373/mo | 84% |
| McHenry County, ND | 54 mi | $80,733 | $713/mo | 81% |
| Mountrail County, ND | 58 mi | $80,717 | $950/mo | 62% |
Towns and communities in McLean County
The table lists the 12 largest of 12 Census places in McLean County, by population. Together all 12 hold about 5,325 people, so roughly 46% of residents live outside any named place. Underwood has the highest median household income on the list ($85,577) and Turtle Lake the lowest ($67,639), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $616 in Garrison to $818 in Washburn. No McLean County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn | city | 1,507 | $73,413 | $818 | 31 mi |
| Garrison | city | 1,397 | $71,974 | $616 | 0 mi |
| Underwood | city | 699 | $85,577 | $682 | 19 mi |
| Turtle Lake | city | 500 | $67,639 | $779 | 26 mi |
| Max | city | 358 | $80,208 | $633 | 13 mi |
| White Shield | CDP | 246 | $68,750 | $811 | 20 mi |
| Benedict | city | 227 | $61,791 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Riverdale | city | 187 | $73,333 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Butte | city | 68 | n/a | n/a | 37 mi |
| Coleharbor | city | 66 | $78,750 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Mercer | city | 66 | $46,429 | n/a | 35 mi |
| Ruso | city | 4 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
Who lives in McLean County, in numbers
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 4.4%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| Measure | McLean County | North Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.7 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.1% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.4% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.4% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.2% |
| 60+ min | 12.5% |
What the numbers mean for McLean County borrowers
What the McLean County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 22% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many McLean County budgets.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 48, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 42% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
Debt-to-income at McLean County's medians
How much room does a median McLean County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, McLean County: $6,965
- Less median rent of $784, which is 11% of it
- $2,211: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $784, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Steps before you apply in McLean County
Before you apply, wherever you live in McLean County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Dakota.
- Ask a McLean County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for McLean County
The North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's North Dakota license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: North Dakota guide.
Related local guides
The North Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical McLean County household make?
About $83,583 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% above the North Dakota median.
How much is rent in McLean County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $784 a month; 27% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in McLean County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 84% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in McLean County?
By population: Washburn, Garrison, Underwood, Turtle Lake, Max. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Will a McLean County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming North Dakota as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.