Ward 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 | Ward County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,237 | 774,506 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 33.2 | 11.0 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.06% | 0.82% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 31.1 | 36.2 | 37.1 |
| Households | 28,290 | 324,959 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Ward County grew by 22.9% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 69,232 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Ward County has a the economy index of B, which means it is quite prosperous.
| Metric | Ward County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,273 | $76,061 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 3.50% | 3.65% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% | 2.8% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Ward County is about 6% higher than in North Dakota.
Housing
| Metric | Ward County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $166,552 | $140,972 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,000 | $934 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 61.9% | 63.4% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Ward County is about 13.9 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,000 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Ward County spend about 28 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 115 hours, about 4.8 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Ward County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 13.8 | 13.9 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 27.5 | 27.8 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 115 | 116 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $3,554 | $3,592 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 7.3% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 2,974 | 2,106 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 572 | 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 Ward County is about the same as 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
Ward County has a education index of C, which means it is somewhat educated.
| Metric | Ward County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 29.0% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.38 | 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
Ward County has a health index of B, which means it is quite healthy.
| Metric | Ward County | North Dakota Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 79.0 | 79.4 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 10.9% | 14.3% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 16.4% | 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 Ward County, North Dakota.
What is the population of Ward County, North Dakota?
The population of Ward County, North Dakota is 68,237, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Ward County, North Dakota?
The population density of Ward County, North Dakota is 33.2 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Ward County, North Dakota?
The median household income in Ward County, North Dakota is $80,273, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Ward County, North Dakota?
The median home price in Ward County, North Dakota is $166,552, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Ward County, North Dakota?
The unemployment rate in Ward County, North Dakota is 3.1%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.