1st Advantage MortgageIn Sargent County, North Dakota, the typical household earns $77,946 a year and the typical rent is $816. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Dakota before sharing details.
On this page
- Sargent County, ND: the basics
- Income in Sargent County compared with North Dakota
- Rent, home values and ownership in Sargent County
- Jobs and commutes in Sargent County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Sargent County
- Regional comparison for Sargent County
- Debt-to-income at Sargent County's medians
- Before borrowing in Sargent County
- People and households in Sargent County
- Checklist for Sargent County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in North Dakota
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Sargent County, ND: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Sargent County's population at 3,804; only 28 of North Dakota's 53 county-level areas are larger. It covers 858 square miles of land, or about 4 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Sargent County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Gwinner, with about 859 residents, or 23% of the county. With so few households sampled, Sargent County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Income in Sargent County compared with North Dakota
Sargent County households have a median income of $77,946 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 53 in North Dakota.
| Yearly household income | Sargent County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.0% | -6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.6% | +8.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.2% | +0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -2.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Sargent County households make $100,000 or more, and 15% make less than $35,000. 6.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.437 here. None of these numbers decides a Sargent County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Sargent County
Renters in Sargent County pay a median of $816 a month, 14% below the North Dakota figure of $954. 19% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $163,200, about 2.1 times the median household income. 72% of Sargent County households own their home and 28% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1975.
| Cost | Sargent County | North Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $816/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $163,200 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 19% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 13% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.3% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Sargent County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Jobs and commutes in Sargent County
By the Census industry count, 32% of employed Sargent County residents work in manufacturing and 20% in education and health care. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward manufacturing (32% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.8% in Sargent County. Long commutes are the exception here: 6% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Sargent County workers | vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 32.0% | +24.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -5.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.5% | +4.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.0% | -5.3 pts |
| Other services | 4.2% | -0.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Sargent County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Sargent County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 2,463 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Milnor has the highest median household income on the list ($76,875) and Gwinner the lowest ($64,250), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $606 in Milnor to $906 in Gwinner. None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinner | city | 859 | $64,250 | $906 | 9 mi |
| Milnor | city | 648 | $76,875 | $606 | 13 mi |
| Forman | city | 617 | $69,712 | $758 | 0 mi |
| Cogswell | city | 110 | $60,313 | $521 | 7 mi |
| Rutland | city | 103 | $66,875 | $469 | 7 mi |
| Havana | city | 86 | $110,972 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Cayuga | city | 30 | $63,750 | n/a | 12 mi |
| De Lamere | CDP | 10 | $80,714 | n/a | 18 mi |
Regional comparison for Sargent County
Six nearby counties, 24 to 49 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. LaMoure County leads the group on income ($80,664), Roberts County trails ($65,130), and Sargent County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in South Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Sargent County resident follows North Dakota rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sargent County | - | $77,946 | $816/mo | 72% |
| Ransom County, ND | 24 mi | $75,736 | $691/mo | 75% |
| Marshall County, SD | 26 mi | $78,156 | $752/mo | 80% |
| Richland County, ND | 35 mi | $75,432 | $740/mo | 68% |
| Dickey County, ND | 42 mi | $68,654 | $840/mo | 80% |
| Roberts County, SD | 47 mi | $65,130 | $658/mo | 71% |
| LaMoure County, ND | 49 mi | $80,664 | $766/mo | 84% |
Debt-to-income at Sargent County's medians
Here is the Sargent County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Sargent County: $6,496
- Rent at the median, $816, takes 13% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,522 left for all other debt payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,977 a month
If your rent is above $816, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Sargent County
Based on the Sargent County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Sargent County borrower sees (free reports).
People and households in Sargent County
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 5.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Sargent County | North Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.9 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.8% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 55.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
Checklist for Sargent County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Sargent County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sargent County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Sargent County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Dakota.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in North Dakota
Before sharing details with a lender, a Sargent County resident can confirm its license with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on North Dakota: North Dakota personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Sargent County household make?
About $77,946 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 2% above the North Dakota median.
Is Sargent County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $816 against $954 statewide, and 19% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Sargent County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Gwinner, Milnor, Forman, Cogswell, Rutland and 3 more.
Is the fit check different in Sargent County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Sargent County?
Start with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.