CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Nelson County

North Dakota · 3,015 residents · 981.815 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $53,063. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 700 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $96,100. With a median age of 53.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 53.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 78%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,015
−19%since 2000
from 3,715 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 4 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
53.8
+14%since 2000
from 47.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K5K1990201020202024Nelson County
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,063
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,892 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,189
+109%since 2000
from $16,320 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.4%
+18.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing17.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction17.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Information11.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Transportation & warehousing8.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade4.1%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,100
+78%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$506
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $275 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
19.2% rent
Afford Score
1.8
+45%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(3,661)
Black0.1%(3)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(6)
Asian0.3%(11)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.4%(50)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.3%(2,844)
Black0.2%(6)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(69)
Asian0.3%(9)
Other3.7%(111)
Diversity Score15.3%(460)
Diversity Score
15
+1028%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.2%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+12%since 2000
from 18.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 72.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 2.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 58.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.3%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 68.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.9%
−86.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Nelson County

Gove County
Pop 2,631
Sierra County
Pop 3,098
Ness County
Pop 2,617
Traverse County
Pop 3,130
Places similar to Nelson County
Head to head

Compare Nelson County to nearby counties

NELSON COUNTY VS
Griggs County
Income$61,711+16%
Home value$119,300+24%
Population2,239−24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Ramsey County
Income$61,006+15%
Home value$199,300+107%
Population11,530+289%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Grand Forks County
Income$68,075+28%
Home value$252,700+163%
Population74,501+2414%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Eddy County
Income$50,850−4%
Home value$124,000+29%
Population2,329−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson County, North Dakota?

Nelson County, North Dakota has about 3,015 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson County, North Dakota?

The typical household in Nelson County, North Dakota earns about $53,063 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson County, North Dakota expensive?

In Nelson County, North Dakota, the median home is worth about $96,100, and the typical rent is about $506 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson County, North Dakota?

About 26.2% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson County, North Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson County, North Dakota?

About 10.4% of people in Nelson County, North Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson County, North Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson County, North Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,395 residents, a change of about -32 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

1 census tract
Census Tract 9590
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 58344ZIP 58254ZIP 58380ZIP 58259ZIP 58212ZIP 58361ZIP 58272ZIP 58224
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →