1st Advantage MortgagePierce County households have a median income of $59,365 and median rent of $850 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Pierce County at a glance
- What Pierce County households earn
- Pierce County housing compared with North Dakota
- Employment and commuting in Pierce County
- The counties around Pierce County
- Pierce County towns compared
- Budget math at the Pierce County median
- People and households in Pierce County
- Local borrowing considerations for Pierce County
- Checking a lender's license in North Dakota
- Four steps for Pierce County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Pierce County at a glance
Roughly 3,928 residents live in Pierce County, North Dakota, 27th by population among the state's 53 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,018 square miles of land, or about 4 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Pierce County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 6 Census places inside Pierce County, Rugby leads by population with about 2,481; 3 of the 6 are incorporated. Because Pierce County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What Pierce County households earn
Pierce County households have a median income of $59,365 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 50th of 53 in North Dakota.
| Yearly household income | Pierce County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.8% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.0% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | -1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.4 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 31% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 10.8% of Pierce County residents in poverty, against 10.8% across North Dakota. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.457 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 Pierce County median.
Pierce County housing compared with North Dakota
Renters in Pierce County pay a median of $850 a month, 11% below the North Dakota figure of $954. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. Home values center on $147,300, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 82% of homes. The median home was built in 1972, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Pierce County | North Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $850/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $147,300 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Pierce 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.
Employment and commuting in Pierce County
Education and health care employs 31% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 12%. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward education and health care (31% against 26%). Averaged over the five survey years, 1.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 4% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. 2.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Pierce County | Compared with North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.6% | +4.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.2% | +4.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +3.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% | -0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.1% | +0.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The counties around Pierce County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Pierce County's, from 31 to 48 miles away. Income ranges from $59,517 in Rolette County to $80,733 in McHenry County; all six of these neighbors top Pierce County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County | - | $59,365 | $850/mo | 82% |
| Benson County, ND | 31 mi | $64,033 | $588/mo | 73% |
| McHenry County, ND | 31 mi | $80,733 | $713/mo | 81% |
| Rolette County, ND | 37 mi | $59,517 | $505/mo | 63% |
| Towner County, ND | 45 mi | $67,350 | $757/mo | 79% |
| Wells County, ND | 47 mi | $66,114 | $648/mo | 77% |
| Sheridan County, ND | 48 mi | $62,639 | $373/mo | 84% |
Pierce County towns compared
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Pierce County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 2,589 people, so roughly 34% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rugby | city | 2,481 | $50,365 | $853 | 9 mi |
| Balta | city | 52 | $33,125 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Selz | CDP | 30 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
| Wolford | city | 26 | $43,750 | n/a | 22 mi |
| Barton | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Orrin | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Budget math at the Pierce County median
Pierce County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,947 a month: gross income for a household at the Pierce County median
- Housing at the median rent of $850 uses 17%
- At 36%, room after rent is $931 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,277 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $850, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Pierce County
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. 7.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Pierce County | North Dakota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.2% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.2% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.1% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Pierce County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 73.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 2.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pierce County
A few patterns in the Pierce County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Checking a lender's license in North Dakota
Consumer lenders serving Pierce County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Dakota that is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the North Dakota state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Pierce County borrowers
Steps that save money for Pierce County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Pierce County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A North Dakota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pierce County a high-income county?
Its $59,365 median ranks 50th of 53 North Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Pierce County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $850 a month; 39% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Pierce County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rugby, Balta, Selz, Wolford, Barton and 1 more.
Are Pierce County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Is there a Pierce County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Dakota it is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions.