Wealth Index
Wealthier than 80% of states in US
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in North Dakota
- Williams County (124% of U.S. avg)
- Burke County (121% of U.S. avg)
- Mercer County (119% of U.S. avg)
- Sioux County (63% of U.S. avg)
- Benson County (83% of U.S. avg)
- Rolette County (84% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | North Dakota | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $76,061 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,423 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in North Dakota is about 3% lower than in US. Income has been growing slower in North Dakota (3.6%/yr) than in US (5.1%/yr).
About 12% of adults in North Dakota earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the US average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in North Dakota grew by 68.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $76,061 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.6% per year.
Economic Inequality in North Dakota | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | North Dakota | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.515 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,015 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $52,823 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.2% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In North Dakota, it is 0.515, lower than US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 27% more than women's income in North Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 27% wage gap accumulates to roughly $496,720 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in North Dakota has narrowed from about 28% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,337 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | North Dakota | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 13 | 22 |
Approximately 11,847 people are unemployed in North Dakota.
The average commute time in North Dakota is 13 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in North Dakota has fallen from 3.4% to 2.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, North Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in North Dakota.
How Rich Is North Dakota?
North Dakota has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $76,061, about 3% lower than the US average of $78,145.
What is the current median household income in North Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in North Dakota is $76,061.
What was the median household income in North Dakota in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in North Dakota was $76,061.
What was the median household income in North Dakota in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in North Dakota was $65,543.
What is the Gini coefficient in North Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in North Dakota is 0.515. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in North Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in North Dakota has narrowed from about 28% to 21% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,337 since 2009.