RANK #198 / 1001 NAT · POP 100,600
1YR FORECAST: +3.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
Burleigh County, North Dakota, is defined by its seat, Bismarck, the state capital, which stands along the Missouri River. Bismarck is notable for its Art Deco State Capitol building, the tallest in North Dakota, and for having its major shopping center, Kirkwood Mall, located downtown rather than in the suburbs. The county, situated in the temperate grasslands of the Great Plains, offers a blend of urban amenities and rural landscapes. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with opportunities for hiking, boating, and fishing along the Missouri River and in parks like McDowell Dam Recreation Area and General Sibley Park. Life in Burleigh County offers a community feel, with many families and young professionals residing there. Public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy is supported by sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Recent economic developments include significant investment in data centers, contributing to the region's growth. The county's population has seen a historic increase, and while housing construction has responded, challenges in affordability persist for some residents.
Burleigh County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +5.5% YoY, population +1.6%, wages +3.7%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 8.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Aurum Bismarck Campus (AI Data Center)
Aurum Capital Ventures
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Wilton IV Wind Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Baldwin Wind Energy Center
Baldwin Wind, LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Burleigh County Road and Bridge System Improvements
Burleigh County Highway Department
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Burleigh County ranks #198 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.6% and a median household income of $86,851 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Burleigh County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $324,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $998/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Burleigh County's population is growing — up +1.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.6%). Home values shifted +5.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.78% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Burleigh County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Burleigh County is now valued at $324,000. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.