RANK #291 / 1001 NAT · POP 68,973
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Ward County, North Dakota, is defined by Minot, its largest city and county seat, often called the "Magic City" due to its rapid growth during the railroad era. Located in north-central North Dakota, Minot is approximately 110 miles north of Bismarck. The community's feel is influenced by Minot State University and Minot Air Force Base, contributing to a diverse and energetic atmosphere. The Souris River, also known as the Mouse River, meanders through the county, and outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking and biking trails at places like Black Butte Trailhead and the Minot Outdoor Recreation Area.
Life in Ward County offers a blend of urban amenities and access to outdoor activities. Public schools in the county are generally above average. Commute times are manageable, with Minot serving as a central hub. The economy is significantly shaped by the presence of Minot Air Force Base, which is a major employer and contributes substantially to the local economy. Additionally, the region's location near the Bakken oil formation and key transportation routes drives opportunities in sectors such as transportation, logistics, and agribusiness. Recent years have seen investment in new housing and commercial developments, reflecting ongoing economic activity.
Ward County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.0% YoY, population -0.4%, wages +3.2%). 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 9.5x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Ward Battery/Storage
Undisclosed (part of MISO interconnection queue)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Ward Wind Farm
Undisclosed (part of MISO interconnection queue)
|
$100M | Planned |
|
County Road 23 Reconstruction
Ward County / KLJ Engineering
|
$50M | Planned |
|
SW & SE Connector Corridor Study
Ward County
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Islandview Estate Development
SHK Holdings
|
$50M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 71/100, Ward County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $78,238 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in ND.
Housing in Ward County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $267,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,048/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Ward County are both close to flat — population -0.4% YoY and jobs -0.6%. Home values shifted +3.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.41% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ward County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.