Nelson County, ND

County

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    2024 Population
    3,016
    US Senator
    John Hoeven
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Kevin Cramer
    Republican Party
    US Representative
    Julie Fedorchak
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    50.1
    0.595% 1-year decrease
    2024 Poverty Rate
    7.16%
    28.1% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $67,193
    1.26% 1-year decline
    2024 Median Property Value
    $139,700
    22% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    1,427
    4.93% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Nelson County, ND reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    97.5% of the residents in Nelson County, ND are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Nelson County, ND was $139,700, and the homeownership rate was 75.1%.

    Most people in Nelson County, ND drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Nelson County, ND was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesNorth Dakota

    Population & Diversity

    Nelson County, ND is home to a population of 3.02k people, from which 97.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.85% of Nelson County, ND residents were born outside of the country (86 people).

    In 2024, there were 32.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (2.76k people) in Nelson County, ND than any other race or ethnicity. There were 86 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 36 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    97.5%
    2024 Citizenship
    97.6%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 97.5% of Nelson County, ND residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Nelson County, ND was 97.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Nelson County, ND compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Nelson County, ND
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      2.76k ± 10
    2. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      86 ± 41
    3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      36 ± 15
    2.95%
    Hispanic Population
    89 people

    In 2024, there were 32.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (2.76k people) in Nelson County, ND than any other race or ethnicity. There were 86 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 36 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    2.95% of the people in Nelson County, ND are hispanic (89 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Nelson County, ND as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Dakota.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      3,300 ± 1,407 people
    2. Philippines
      3,164 ± 1,378 people
    3. Canada
      2,986 ± 1,339 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Dakota was Mexico, the natal country of 3,300 North Dakota residents, followed by Philippines with 3,164 and Canada with 2,986.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    2.85%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    86 people
    3.55%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    107 people

    As of 2024, 2.85% of Nelson County, ND residents (86 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Nelson County, ND was 3.55%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Nelson County, ND compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      89 ± 27
    2. Gulf War (1990s)
      29 ± 18
    3. Gulf War (2001-)
      28 ± 29

    Nelson County, ND has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.07 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Nelson County, ND.

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    Health

    96% of the population of Nelson County, ND has health coverage, with 45.2% on employee plans, 8.87% on Medicaid, 21% on Medicare, 19.5% on non-group plans, and 1.38% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Nelson County, ND see 2,937 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.777% decrease from the previous year (2,960 patients). Compare this to dentists who see null patients per year, and mental health providers who see null patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.7% were men and 48.3% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    2,937 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Nelson County, ND

    Primary care physicians in Nelson County, ND see an average of 2,937 patients per year. This represents a 0.777% decrease from the previous year (2,960 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Nelson County, ND in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.9% under 18 years, 13.7% between 18 and 34 years, 37.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 26.1% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.7% were men and 48.3% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    4.04%
    Uninsured
    45.2%
    Employer Coverage
    8.87%
    Medicaid
    21%
    Medicare
    19.5%
    Non-Group
    1.38%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Nelson County, ND declined by 14.8% from 4.74% to 4.04%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Nelson County, ND changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.49 in Nelson County, ND.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Nelson County, ND.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.2% in Nelson County, ND.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Nelson County, ND.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 6.84% in Nelson County, ND.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Nelson County, ND.

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    Economy

    The economy of Nelson County, ND employs 1.43k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Nelson County, ND were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (291 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (241 people), and Educational Services (187 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($71,667), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($71,667), and Wholesale Trade ($66,429).

    Employment

    Occupations

    1.43k
    2024 Value
    ± 132
    4.93%
    1 Year growth
    ± 13%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Nelson County, ND grew at a rate of 4.93%, from 1.36k employees to 1.43k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Nelson County, ND, are Management Occupations (340 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (129 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (112 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Nelson County, ND.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Dakota.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Dakota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    1.43k
    2024 Value
    ± 132
    4.93%
    1 Year growth
    ± 13%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Nelson County, ND grew at a rate of 4.93%, from 1.36k employees to 1.43k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Nelson County, ND, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (291 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (241 people), and Educational Services (187 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Nelson County, ND, though some of these residents may live in Nelson County, ND and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $60,129
    Median earning men ± $4,809
    $40,238
    Median earning women ± $7,863

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($80,250), Public Administration ($77,708), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($75,259).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($56,563), Manufacturing ($53,500), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($49,271).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Dakota.
    Y-Axis
    2.83%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 428k people employed in North Dakota. This represents a 2.83% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 12.3%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Dakota.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 16
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    2. 13
      Construction
    3. 11
      Finance and Insurance

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $9.75k
      Wholesale Trade
    2. $9.29k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. $3.15k
      Finance and Insurance

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 67% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (30.5%), followed by Chase Oliver (1.69%).

    John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer are the senators currently representing the state of North Dakota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Nelson County, ND is currently represented by Julie Fedorchak in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Nelson County, ND. Showing the available data for North Dakota.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (67%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (30.5%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Chase Oliver (1.69%)
      Libertarian Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 67% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (30.5%), followed by Chase Oliver (1.69%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Dakota for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from North Dakota

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Dakota.
    John Hoeven
    Senator from North Dakota3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2011
    Kevin Cramer
    Senator from North Dakota1
    Assumed office on January 3, 2019

    John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer are the senators currently representing North Dakota.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in North Dakota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    US Representative Elections

    US Representatives from Nelson County, ND

    Julie Fedorchak
    District at-large Representative
    Republican Party

    Nelson County, ND is currently represented by Julie Fedorchak (Republican Party).

    Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Nelson County, ND have changed over time starting in 2008.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Nelson County, ND was $139,700 in 2024, which is 0.42 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $114,500 to $139,700, a 22% increase. The homeownership rate in Nelson County, ND is 75.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Nelson County, ND have an average commute time of 19.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Nelson County, ND is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 6.44% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Nelson County, ND. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.539%.

    Housing

    Property

    $139,700
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$19,963
    $1,005
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$114

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Nelson County, ND the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Nelson County, ND compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    75.1%
    Homeownership
    2024
    62.4%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 75.1% of the housing units in Nelson County, ND were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 76.9%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Nelson County, ND compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $67,193
    Median Household Income
    ± $7,502
    1.34k
    Number of Households
    ± 135

    In 2024, the median household income of the 1.34k households in Nelson County, ND declined from $67,193 from the previous year's value of $68,051.

    The following chart displays the households in Nelson County, ND distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Nelson County, ND is from North Dakota.
    0.43
    2024 Wage GINI in North Dakota
    0.432
    2023 Wage GINI in North Dakota

    In 2024, the income inequality in North Dakota was 0.43 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.511% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Dakota was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Dakota in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in North Dakota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (71.5%)
    2. Walked (9.21%)
    3. Carpooled (8.85%)

    In 2024, 71.5% of workers in Nelson County, ND drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (9.21%) and those who carpooled to work (8.85%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    19.6 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Nelson County, ND have a shorter commute time (19.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.24% of the workforce in Nelson County, ND have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Nelson County, ND compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Nelson County, ND distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Nelson County, ND have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 6.44% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Nelson County, ND. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.539%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    7.16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Nelson County, ND (206 out of 2.88k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 65 - 74.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Nelson County, ND is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 8.5% of the children was living in poverty in Nelson County, ND. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 134 in Nelson County, ND. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 28.1% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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