1st Advantage MortgageIn Mountrail County, North Dakota, the typical household earns $80,717 a year and the typical rent is $950. 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
- Getting oriented in Mountrail County
- Paychecks and income spread in Mountrail County
- Jobs and commutes in Mountrail County
- Mountrail County housing compared with North Dakota
- How Mountrail County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Mountrail County
- Budget math at the Mountrail County median
- Who lives in Mountrail County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Mountrail County
- Who licenses lenders for Mountrail County residents
- A Mountrail County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Mountrail County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Mountrail County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Mountrail County's population at 9,507; only 15 of North Dakota's 53 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,825 square miles, that works out to roughly 5.2 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Mountrail County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is New Town, with about 2,721 residents, or 29% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Mountrail County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Paychecks and income spread in Mountrail County
At $80,717, the typical Mountrail County household income is 23% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 14 North Dakota counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Mountrail County | +/- vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.3% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.2% | -4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.4% | +2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.2% | +0.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 41% of Mountrail County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. 14.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.480 (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 Mountrail County median.
Jobs and commutes in Mountrail County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 13%. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (13% against 8%). Averaged over the five survey years, 1.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Mountrail County workers | vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.3% | -6.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.3% | +5.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.6% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | -0.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Mountrail County housing compared with North Dakota
Renters in Mountrail County pay a median of $950 a month, in line with North Dakota's $954. 26% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. With a median value of $232,700, a typical Mountrail County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 62%.
| Mountrail County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $950/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $232,700 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.3% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 12% | n/a |
How Mountrail County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Mountrail County's, from 38 to 58 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Mountrail County; McKenzie County is highest at $93,404 and Renville County lowest at $74,301.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountrail County | - | $80,717 | $950/mo | 62% |
| Ward County, ND | 38 mi | $78,238 | $1,048/mo | 61% |
| Burke County, ND | 40 mi | $91,591 | $684/mo | 75% |
| Renville County, ND | 47 mi | $74,301 | $828/mo | 79% |
| Williams County, ND | 53 mi | $85,595 | $1,123/mo | 53% |
| McKenzie County, ND | 58 mi | $93,404 | $1,284/mo | 53% |
| McLean County, ND | 58 mi | $83,583 | $784/mo | 84% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Mountrail County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Mountrail County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 6,438 people, so roughly 32% of residents live outside any named place. Stanley has the highest median household income on the list ($109,573) and Parshall the lowest ($45,000), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Parshall ($726) and steepest in Stanley ($1,144). Live in one of these Mountrail County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Town | city | 2,721 | $52,500 | $851 | 16 mi |
| Stanley | city | 2,097 | $109,573 | $1,144 | 7 mi |
| Parshall | city | 922 | $45,000 | $726 | 20 mi |
| Plaza | city | 350 | $85,481 | $1,106 | 23 mi |
| Ross | city | 156 | $83,780 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Palermo | city | 129 | $36,429 | $1,094 | 11 mi |
| White Earth | city | 63 | $69,063 | n/a | 22 mi |
Budget math at the Mountrail County median
Here is the Mountrail County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Mountrail County: $6,726
- Less median rent of $950, which is 14% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,942 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who lives in Mountrail County, in numbers
23% of Mountrail County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 16% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Mountrail County | North Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.7% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.5% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.9% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.5% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.1% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
Before borrowing in Mountrail County
What the Mountrail County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 16% of Mountrail 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.
- Higher earners. 41% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
Who licenses lenders for Mountrail County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Mountrail County borrowers answers to the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: North Dakota guide.
A Mountrail County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the North Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Mountrail County
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Mountrail County household make?
About $80,717 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 5% above the North Dakota median.
How much is rent in Mountrail County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $950 a month; 26% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Mountrail County?
By population: New Town, Stanley, Parshall, Plaza, Ross. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Mountrail County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Mountrail County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Dakota it is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions.