1st Advantage MortgageRolette County households have a median income of $59,517 and median rent of $505 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
- Rolette County, ND: the basics
- Household income in Rolette County
- Employment and commuting in Rolette County
- Rolette County housing compared with North Dakota
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Rolette County
- Rolette County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Rolette County borrowers
- A Rolette County household budget, worked through
- Four steps for Rolette County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Rolette County
- More guides for Rolette County
- Frequently asked questions
Rolette County, ND: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Rolette County's population at 11,924; only 10 of North Dakota's 53 county-level areas are larger. It covers 903 square miles of land, or about 13 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Rolette County is not part of any metropolitan area. Belcourt is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 1,547 people (13% of the county total).
Household income in Rolette County
The median household income in Rolette County is $59,517; statewide it is $76,657, so Rolette County runs 22% below North Dakota as a whole. Only 48 North Dakota counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Rolette County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.5% | +11.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.5% | -3.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.4 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. Census counts 24.3% of Rolette County residents in poverty, against 10.8% across North Dakota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.463 (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 Rolette County median.
Employment and commuting in Rolette County
By the Census industry count, 42% of employed Rolette County residents work in education and health care and 10% in public administration. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 42% locally and 26% for North Dakota. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Households without a car make up 10.8% of the total (5.9% statewide).
| Sector | Rolette County | Compared with North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 41.6% | +15.9 pts |
| Public administration | 9.5% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.9% | -2.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -0.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.7% | -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.
Rolette County housing compared with North Dakota
A typical Rolette County rental runs $505 a month including utilities, which is 47% below North Dakota. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 31% of renter households here. With a median value of $103,800, a typical Rolette County house costs 1.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 63% of homes.
| Cost | Rolette County | North Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $505/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $103,800 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 10% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.7% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 12% | n/a |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 28 to 61 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $59,365 in Pierce County to $85,000 in Bottineau County; 5 of these neighbors top Rolette County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolette County | - | $59,517 | $505/mo | 63% |
| Towner County, ND | 28 mi | $67,350 | $757/mo | 79% |
| Pierce County, ND | 37 mi | $59,365 | $850/mo | 82% |
| Bottineau County, ND | 45 mi | $85,000 | $796/mo | 79% |
| McHenry County, ND | 52 mi | $80,733 | $713/mo | 81% |
| Benson County, ND | 53 mi | $64,033 | $588/mo | 73% |
| Ramsey County, ND | 61 mi | $61,006 | $714/mo | 55% |
The communities that make up Rolette County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Rolette County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 6,748 residents, leaving about 43% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,786 in Shell Valley to $90,568 in Belcourt. Rent is cheapest in Dunseith ($364) and steepest in Belcourt ($846). This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belcourt | CDP | 1,547 | $90,568 | $846 | 7 mi |
| Shell Valley | CDP | 1,243 | $46,786 | $428 | 3 mi |
| Rolla | city | 1,039 | $49,219 | $620 | 12 mi |
| Green Acres | CDP | 994 | $47,679 | $407 | 8 mi |
| Dunseith | city | 818 | $51,449 | $364 | 11 mi |
| East Dunseith | CDP | 450 | n/a | $456 | 11 mi |
| Rolette | city | 363 | $90,536 | $188 | 7 mi |
| St. John | city | 286 | $62,750 | $770 | 13 mi |
| Mylo | city | 8 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Rolette County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. About 22% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Rolette County | All of North Dakota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.5 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.0% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.5% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 22.1% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.3% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Rolette County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 2.5% |
What the numbers mean for Rolette County borrowers
A few patterns in the Rolette County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 22% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 20% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Assistance before credit. With a 24% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Rolette County loan.
A Rolette County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Rolette County's medians:
- Start: $4,960 gross per month ($59,517 / 12)
- Less median rent of $505, which is 10% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,281 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.
Four steps for Rolette County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the North Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Rolette County
The North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's North Dakota license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The North Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Rolette County
The North Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Rolette County earn?
The median is $59,517; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Rolette County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $505 a month; 31% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Rolette County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 9 Census places: Belcourt, Shell Valley, Rolla, Green Acres, Dunseith.
Is the fit check different in Rolette County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Rolette County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Dakota it is the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions.