1st Advantage MortgageAbout 63% of Stutsman County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $61,856. 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
- Stutsman County, ND: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Stutsman County
- Household income in Stutsman County
- Renting and owning in Stutsman County
- Places inside Stutsman County
- Stutsman County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Stutsman County
- People and households in Stutsman County
- Local borrowing considerations for Stutsman County
- Lender oversight for Stutsman County
- A Stutsman County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Stutsman County
- Frequently asked questions
Stutsman County, ND: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Stutsman County's population at 21,549; only 7 of North Dakota's 53 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 2,222 square miles, that works out to roughly 9.7 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Stutsman County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (11 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Jamestown, with about 15,787 residents, or 73% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Stutsman County
The biggest employer of Stutsman County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Manufacturing stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 5% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 6.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Stutsman County share | +/- vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | +4.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.0% | +1.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Stutsman County
Half of Stutsman County households take in less than $61,856 a year and half take in more, 19% below the North Dakota median of $76,657.
| Yearly household income | Stutsman County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +10.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.8% | -5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.9% | -1.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | -3.3 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.6% of Stutsman County residents in poverty, against 10.8% across North Dakota. For a borrower in Stutsman County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Stutsman County
A typical Stutsman County rental runs $774 a month including utilities, which is 19% below North Dakota. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 30% spend half or more. Home values center on $208,400, or 3.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 63%.
| Measure | Stutsman County | North Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $774/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $208,400 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 21% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.0% | 6.6% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 12% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Places inside Stutsman County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Stutsman County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 17,146 residents, leaving about 20% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Stutsman County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | city | 15,787 | $56,554 | $773 | 13 mi |
| Medina | city | 255 | $54,063 | $653 | 17 mi |
| Kensal | city | 233 | $75,000 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Spiritwood Lake | city | 177 | $180,000 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Buchanan | city | 130 | $110,469 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Cleveland | city | 107 | $51,625 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Montpelier | city | 99 | $82,500 | n/a | 26 mi |
| Streeter | city | 98 | $42,778 | n/a | 29 mi |
| Woodworth | city | 69 | $101,250 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Pingree | city | 61 | $81,328 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Ypsilanti | CDP | 55 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
| Spiritwood | CDP | 46 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
| Courtenay | city | 29 | $54,500 | n/a | 25 mi |
Stutsman County next to its neighbors
Foster County is closest, 35 miles from center to center; the sixth, Griggs County, is 48 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Stutsman County; Foster County is highest at $87,831 and Griggs County lowest at $61,711.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stutsman County | - | $61,856 | $774/mo | 63% |
| Foster County, ND | 35 mi | $87,831 | $780/mo | 80% |
| Kidder County, ND | 37 mi | $65,610 | $853/mo | 76% |
| LaMoure County, ND | 41 mi | $80,664 | $766/mo | 84% |
| Barnes County, ND | 42 mi | $68,038 | $779/mo | 71% |
| Logan County, ND | 43 mi | $62,750 | $838/mo | 83% |
| Griggs County, ND | 48 mi | $61,711 | $573/mo | 77% |
Room for a loan payment in Stutsman County
How much room does a median Stutsman County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,155 gross per month ($61,856 / 12)
- Median rent: $774, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,288: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Stutsman County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Stutsman County
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.5%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| Stutsman County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.9% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.0% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.7% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 67.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 2.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Stutsman County
A few patterns in the Stutsman County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Tight rental budgets. With 53% of Stutsman County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Consolidating cards in Stutsman County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Lender oversight for Stutsman County
Stutsman County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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 Stutsman County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Stutsman County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A North Dakota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Stutsman County
The North Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Stutsman County earn?
The median is $61,856; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Stutsman County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $774 a month; 53% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Jamestown?
Yes, along with the other 12 Census places in Stutsman County, such as Medina, Kensal, Spiritwood Lake.
Does living in Stutsman County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Stutsman County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Stutsman County?
Start with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.