1st Advantage MortgageIn Walsh County, North Dakota, the typical household earns $71,944 a year and the typical rent is $748. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Dakota license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Walsh County
- Paychecks and income spread in Walsh County
- Walsh County housing compared with North Dakota
- Jobs and commutes in Walsh County
- Places inside Walsh County
- How Walsh County compares with nearby counties
- A Walsh County household budget, worked through
- Walsh County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Walsh County
- Steps before you apply in Walsh County
- Who licenses lenders for Walsh County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Walsh County
Roughly 10,396 residents live in Walsh County, North Dakota, 14th by population among the state's 53 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,282 square miles of land, or about 8 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Walsh County is not part of any metropolitan area. Grafton is the biggest of its 15 Census places, at roughly 4,102 people (39% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Walsh County
Half of Walsh County households take in less than $71,944 a year and half take in more, 6% below the North Dakota median of $76,657. That places it 28th among North Dakota's 53 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Walsh County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | -0.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.0% | +4.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.4% | -0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -3.9 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. 11.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Walsh County median.
Walsh County housing compared with North Dakota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $748 in Walsh County versus $954 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 35% of renter households here. With a median value of $132,700, a typical Walsh County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes.
| Home costs | Walsh County | North Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $748/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $132,700 | $249,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 39% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 21% | 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).
Jobs and commutes in Walsh County
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 16%. Compared with North Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (16% against 8%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Walsh County | Gap to North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.3% | +8.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.4% | 0.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +1.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Walsh County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 15 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 71% of Walsh County residents live in one of the 15. Incomes vary by place: $84,464 at the median in Minto, $62,679 in Grafton. Rent is cheapest in Minto ($597) and steepest in Park River ($818). None of the 15 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | city | 4,102 | $62,679 | $733 | 15 mi |
| Park River | city | 1,458 | $69,408 | $818 | 1 mi |
| Minto | city | 718 | $84,464 | $597 | 17 mi |
| Hoople | city | 228 | $79,250 | $725 | 12 mi |
| Fordville | city | 212 | $88,000 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Edinburg | city | 196 | $54,375 | $630 | 10 mi |
| Adams | city | 121 | $56,667 | $694 | 16 mi |
| Lankin | city | 109 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Pisek | city | 91 | $50,000 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Forest River | city | 87 | $71,875 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Auburn | CDP | 28 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Ardoch | city | 22 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Fairdale | city | 16 | $23,750 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Conway | city | 11 | $54,375 | n/a | 10 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Walsh County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Walsh County's, from 28 to 51 miles away. Income ranges from $61,006 in Ramsey County to $76,100 in Kittson County; 1 of these neighbors top Walsh County's median. Some neighbors are in Minnesota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Walsh County resident follows North Dakota rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walsh County | - | $71,944 | $748/mo | 76% |
| Pembina County, ND | 28 mi | $68,393 | $684/mo | 75% |
| Grand Forks County, ND | 34 mi | $68,075 | $992/mo | 52% |
| Nelson County, ND | 39 mi | $67,193 | $582/mo | 75% |
| Cavalier County, ND | 43 mi | $69,531 | $786/mo | 81% |
| Ramsey County, ND | 47 mi | $61,006 | $714/mo | 55% |
| Kittson County, MN | 51 mi | $76,100 | $757/mo | 83% |
A Walsh County household budget, worked through
Here is the Walsh County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,995 before taxes
- Less median rent of $748, which is 12% of it
- Under a 43% cap, $2,578 total minus rent leaves $1,830
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Walsh County households compared
19% of Walsh County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 8.0%, against 6.5% for North Dakota.
| Measure | Walsh County | North Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 | 35.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.2% | 32.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.2% | 6.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.0% | 6.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 10.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Walsh County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 56.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.9% |
Borrowing situations common in Walsh County
What the Walsh County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Steps before you apply in Walsh County
Quick steps for Walsh County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Walsh County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Walsh County resident can confirm its license with the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on North Dakota: North Dakota personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Walsh County earn?
The median is $71,944; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Walsh County?
$748 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Should Walsh County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Walsh County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Walsh County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 15 Census places: Grafton, Park River, Minto, Hoople, Fordville.
Is the fit check different in Walsh County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.