Nelson County, ND Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Nelson County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,869 | 774,506 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 2.8 | 11.0 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.05% | 0.82% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 51.0 | 36.2 | 37.1 |
| Households | 1,295 | 324,959 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Nelson County declined by 6.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 3,015 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Nelson County has a the economy index of B, which means it is quite prosperous.
| Metric | Nelson County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,578 | $76,061 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.12% | 3.65% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 1.2% | 2.8% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Nelson County is about 10% lower than in North Dakota.
Housing
| Metric | Nelson County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $128,125 | $140,972 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $592 | $934 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 76.9% | 63.4% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Nelson County is about 18.0 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $592 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Nelson County spend about 25 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 105 hours, about 4.4 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Nelson County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 12.6 | 13.9 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 25.1 | 27.8 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 105 | 116 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $3,248 | $3,592 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 8.4% | 7.3% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 1,537 | 2,106 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 68 | 360 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
North Dakota:
McIntosh County (6.9 min), Pierce County (7.8 min), Divide County (8.1 min).
Slowest:
McHenry County (28.2 min), Renville County (27.0 min), Billings County (21.9 min).
The average commute time in Nelson County is 13 minutes, shorter than the 14 minutes in North Dakota.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Nelson County has a education index of D, which means it is barely educated.
| Metric | Nelson County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.1% | 29.0% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.25 | 2.31 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
North Dakota:
Cass County (0.3), Burleigh County (0.3), Grand Forks County (0.3).
Lowest:
Sioux County (0.2), Sheridan County (0.2), Hettinger County (0.2).
Health
Nelson County has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | Nelson County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 77.6 | 79.4 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 14.3% | 14.3% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 16.9% | 18.7% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
North Dakota:
Burleigh County (0.8), Steele County (0.8), Cass County (0.8).
Lowest:
Sioux County (0.7), Rolette County (0.7), Benson County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nelson County, North Dakota.
What is the population of Nelson County, North Dakota?
The population of Nelson County, North Dakota is 2,869, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Nelson County, North Dakota?
The population density of Nelson County, North Dakota is 2.8 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Nelson County, North Dakota?
The median household income in Nelson County, North Dakota is $68,578, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Nelson County, North Dakota?
The median home price in Nelson County, North Dakota is $128,125, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Nelson County, North Dakota?
The unemployment rate in Nelson County, North Dakota is 1.2%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.