Wells County, North Dakota Income Statistics
Wells County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
B
Wells County Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Wells County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,240 | $76,862 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,930 | $59,016 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.2% | 3.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.3% | 12.1% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 9.7% | 9.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Wells County is about 15% lower than in North Dakota. Income has been growing slower in Wells County (3.2%/yr) than in North Dakota (3.3%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Wells County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the North Dakota average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Wells County, North Dakota grew by 72.4% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $65,240 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Wells County
| Metric | Wells County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.485 | 0.506 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $67,073 | $67,903 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $47,595 | $53,536 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 29.0% | 21.2% | 18.4% |
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 Wells County, it is 0.485, lower than North Dakota's 0.506, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 41% more than women's income in Wells County, North Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 41% wage gap accumulates to roughly $681,730 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wells County, North Dakota has narrowed from about 39% to 29% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 42% in 2014, and was narrowest at 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,139 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Wells County | North Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 2.7% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.4% | 8.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 8 | 13 | 22 |
Approximately 36 people are unemployed in Wells County, North Dakota.
The average commute time in Wells County is 8 minutes, shorter than the 13 minutes in North Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Wells County, North Dakota has fallen from 2.7% to 2.0% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 3.3% in 2020 and fell as low as 1.2% in 2014.
Wells County, ND Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Wells County, ND is the 3rd largest of the 6 counties compared here, 3,890 residents against a local median of 2,377. Where Wells County, ND breaks from the counties next to it is unemployment, sitting 35% above the local median of 1.5% at 2.0%. That is the weaker end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread 2.4% on unemployment, so Wells County, ND sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Wells County, ND has the 4th lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells County, ND | 3,890 | $65,240 #1/6 | 3.2%/yr #4/6 | 2.0% #4/6 | 0.485 #3/6 |
| Benson County, ND | 5,808 | $64,290 | 5.6%/yr | 3.4% | 0.600 |
| Kidder County, ND | 2,377 | $64,953 | 1.5%/yr | 1.5% | 0.479 |
| Sheridan County, ND | 1,303 | $61,352 | 3.2%/yr | 1.1% | 0.480 |
| Pierce County, ND | 3,928 | $58,993 | 4.3%/yr | 1.1% | 0.491 |
| Eddy County, ND | 2,307 | $50,825 | -0.5%/yr | 2.5% | 0.510 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Wells County, North Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with North Dakota, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Wells County, North Dakota.
How Rich Is Wells County, North Dakota?
Wells County 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 $65,240, about 15% lower than the North Dakota average of $76,862.
How fast is household income rising in Wells County, North Dakota?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Wells County, North Dakota rose 72%, from $37,845 to $65,240. Over the same years, income here outpaced North Dakota as a whole: +72% against +70%.
What was the median household income in Wells County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Wells County, North Dakota was $60,985, up 2% from $59,776 in 2022. The North Dakota median that year was $76,063.
What was the median household income in Wells County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Wells County, North Dakota was $55,428. By 2024 it had risen 18% to $65,240.
What is the Gini coefficient in Wells County, North Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Wells County is 0.485. 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 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Wells County, North Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Wells County, North Dakota has narrowed from about 39% to 29% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 42% in 2014, and was narrowest at 23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,139 since 2009.
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