1st Advantage MortgageRichland County households have a median income of $75,432 and median rent of $740 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). For a Richland County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the North Dakota license.
On this page
- Richland County at a glance
- Housing costs in Richland County
- Where Richland County differs from the rest of North Dakota
- Household income in Richland County
- Richland County industries and commutes
- Towns and communities in Richland County
- The counties around Richland County
- Local borrowing considerations for Richland County
- Who lives in Richland County, in numbers
- Budget math at the Richland County median
- Lender oversight for Richland County
- Before you sign
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Richland County at a glance
With an estimated 16,584 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Richland County ranks 9th of 53 in North Dakota for population. Spread over 1,436 square miles, that works out to roughly 11.6 residents per square mile. Metro status: none; Richland County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Of the 14 Census places inside Richland County, Wahpeton leads by population with about 8,010; 14 of the 14 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Richland County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $740 in Richland County versus $954 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 32% of renter households here. With a median value of $183,600, a typical Richland County house costs 2.4 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 68% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1972. Nationally, Richland County's $740 rent is 16% below the middle county.
| Home costs | Richland County | North Dakota | Compared with North Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 39% | -6.7 pts |
| Owners | 68% | 63% | +5.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 21% | -3.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.7% | 6.6% | -2.9 pts |
| Median home value | $183,600 | $249,900 | 27% lower |
| Median gross rent | $740/mo | $954/mo | 22% lower |
Where Richland County differs from the rest of North Dakota
The 3 Richland County numbers that rank furthest from typical in North Dakota, and what each means for a borrower:
- The housing vacancy rate: 9% in Richland County. Only 6 of 53 North Dakota counties are lower. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- Richland County ranks 8th lowest of 53 North Dakota counties for the share of mobile homes: 3.7%, against 6.6% statewide. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
- Few North Dakota counties match Richland County on population: 16,584 here, 784,841 for the state, ranking 9th highest of 53. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
Household income in Richland County
Richland County households have a median income of $75,432 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 24th of 53 in North Dakota.
| Income band | Share in Richland County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.6% | 0.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.7% | -0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.4% | -0.3 pts |
On the low end, 22% of Richland County households report under $35,000; at the top, 36% report $100,000-plus. Richland County counts about 1,606 residents below the poverty line, 9.7% of the population. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Richland County median.
Richland County industries and commutes
Education and health care (27%), manufacturing (16%) and agriculture, forestry and mining (11%) lead Richland County's job mix. Manufacturing stands out: 16% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 77% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. No car: 6.3% of Richland County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Richland County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.0% | +8.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.4% | +3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.1% | -3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -0.3 pts |
Self-employed in Richland County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Towns and communities in Richland County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 14. Roughly 29% of Richland County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $85,625 at the median in Wyndmere, $49,667 in Lidgerwood. Rent is cheapest in Hankinson ($590) and steepest in Lidgerwood ($775). Wahpeton and every other Richland County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahpeton | city | 8,010 | $62,750 | $751 | 16 mi |
| Hankinson | city | 804 | $74,643 | $590 | 13 mi |
| Lidgerwood | city | 719 | $49,667 | $775 | 17 mi |
| Wyndmere | city | 509 | $85,625 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Fairmount | city | 292 | $59,375 | $525 | 22 mi |
| Colfax | city | 272 | $104,375 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Walcott | city | 272 | $93,125 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Christine | city | 255 | $94,018 | n/a | 22 mi |
| Abercrombie | city | 232 | $64,844 | $525 | 16 mi |
| Mooreton | city | 175 | $86,250 | $508 | 3 mi |
| Dwight | city | 47 | $144,583 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Barney | city | 42 | $51,250 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Great Bend | city | 37 | $61,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Mantador | city | 37 | $56,667 | n/a | 7 mi |
The counties around Richland County
Six nearby counties, 23 to 48 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richland County's $75,432 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $62,989 (Traverse County) to $78,156 (Marshall County). Some neighbors are in Minnesota and South Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Richland County resident follows North Dakota rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland County | - | $75,432 | $740/mo | 68% |
| Wilkin County, MN | 23 mi | $71,410 | $564/mo | 80% |
| Sargent County, ND | 35 mi | $77,946 | $816/mo | 72% |
| Ransom County, ND | 36 mi | $75,736 | $691/mo | 75% |
| Traverse County, MN | 41 mi | $62,989 | $615/mo | 82% |
| Roberts County, SD | 44 mi | $65,130 | $658/mo | 71% |
| Marshall County, SD | 48 mi | $78,156 | $752/mo | 80% |
Local borrowing considerations for Richland County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Richland County borrowers.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Richland County borrower sees (free reports).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Richland County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Who lives in Richland County, in numbers
25% of Richland County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.7%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| Indicator | Richland County | +/- North Dakota | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.9% | -7.8 pts | +2.7 pts |
| Median age | 38.0 | +2.1 yrs | -3.5 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | -1.1 pts | -3.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | -1.1 pts | -2.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.5% | -0.5 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 6.3% | +0.4 pts | +0.9 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | +0.2 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 0.0 pts | -0.5 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Richland County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.4% |
Budget math at the Richland County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Richland County's medians:
- Start: $6,286 gross per month ($75,432 / 12)
- Less median rent of $740, which is 12% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,523 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
A household below the $75,432 median has less room than this, often none.
Lender oversight for Richland County
Consumer lenders serving Richland County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Dakota that is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The North Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Richland County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for North Dakota borrowers.
- Ask a Richland County credit union about member loans.
Keep exploring
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Richland County?
$75,432 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,657 for North Dakota. It ranks 24th of 53 in the state.
How does Richland County rent compare with North Dakota?
$740 locally versus $954 for the state, 22% below.
Which towns does the Richland County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 14 Census places: Wahpeton, Hankinson, Lidgerwood, Wyndmere, Fairmount.
Is the fit check different in Richland County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Richland 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.