1st Advantage MortgageThe median Towner County household earns $67,350, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Towner County at a glance
- Jobs and commutes in Towner County
- Income in Towner County compared with North Dakota
- Towner County housing compared with North Dakota
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Towner County
- The counties around Towner County
- Towner County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Towner County
- Room for a loan payment in Towner County
- Checklist for Towner County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Towner County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Towner County at a glance
With an estimated 2,079 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Towner County ranks 46th of 53 in North Dakota for population. Spread over 1,025 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.0 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Towner County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Towner County, Cando leads by population with about 1,164; 7 of the 7 are incorporated. Because Towner County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Jobs and commutes in Towner County
The biggest employer of Towner County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (28%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Towner County averages 0.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.8%). Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Towner County | Compared with North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 28.2% | +20.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.0% | +3.2 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 4.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 3.5% | -2.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Towner County compared with North Dakota
Towner County households have a median income of $67,350 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 36th of 53 in North Dakota.
| Income band | Share in Towner County | Difference from North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.4% | +8.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.6% | -4.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.5% | -1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -3.2 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.5% of Towner County residents in poverty, against 10.8% across North Dakota. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (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 Towner County median.
Towner County housing compared with North Dakota
Renters in Towner County pay a median of $757 a month, 21% below the North Dakota figure of $954. 30% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. With a median value of $134,800, a typical Towner County house costs 2.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 79%. The median home was built in 1969, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Towner County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $757/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $134,800 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 21% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 21% | 12% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Towner County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Towner County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 1,462 people, so roughly 30% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cando | city | 1,164 | $51,500 | $764 | 14 mi |
| Rocklake | city | 102 | $61,250 | $442 | 7 mi |
| Bisbee | city | 85 | $85,179 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Egeland | city | 81 | $28,594 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Sarles | city | 19 | $2,499 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Perth | city | 6 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Hansboro | city | 5 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
The counties around Towner County
Distances run center to center, from Rolette County at 28 miles out to Eddy County at 68. Cavalier County leads the group on income ($69,531), Eddy County trails ($50,850), and Towner County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towner County | - | $67,350 | $757/mo | 79% |
| Rolette County, ND | 28 mi | $59,517 | $505/mo | 63% |
| Cavalier County, ND | 36 mi | $69,531 | $786/mo | 81% |
| Ramsey County, ND | 37 mi | $61,006 | $714/mo | 55% |
| Benson County, ND | 42 mi | $64,033 | $588/mo | 73% |
| Pierce County, ND | 45 mi | $59,365 | $850/mo | 82% |
| Eddy County, ND | 68 mi | $50,850 | $590/mo | 72% |
Towner County residents: age, schooling, coverage
24% of Towner County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Towner County | North Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.9 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.5% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.0% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.7% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Towner County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.9% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Towner County
Based on the Towner County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Older households. A 48.9 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Towner County borrower sees (free reports).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Room for a loan payment in Towner County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Towner County's medians:
- $5,612 a month: gross income for a household at the Towner County median
- Median rent: $757, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,264: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Towner County's.
Checklist for Towner County applicants
Steps that save money for Towner County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Towner County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Towner County resident can confirm its license with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: North Dakota guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Towner County household make?
About $67,350 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 12% below the North Dakota median.
How does Towner County rent compare with North Dakota?
$757 locally versus $954 for the state, 21% below.
Should Towner County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Towner County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Cando?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Towner County, such as Rocklake, Bisbee, Egeland.
Will a Towner County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming North Dakota as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.