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COUNTY

Wells County

North Dakota · 3,729 residents (2025 est.) · 1,270.533 sq mi
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#110Shortest commutesof 3,14314.6#124Fastest shrinkingof 3,135-6.4%
The short version

Wells County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,114. Population has fallen 24% since 2000, a loss of 1,212 residents. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $114,500. With a median age of 46.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,890
−24%since 2000
from 5,102 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3 / sq mi
−8%since 2009
from 3 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
46.3
+2%since 2000
from 45.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,729 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K6K1990201020202024Wells County
20244K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 57.1%(278)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 96.4%(249)
US avg: 6%
10 to 146.2%(242)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 194.3%(168)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 246%(235)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3410.2%(395)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 448.8%(342)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 549%(349)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6415.2%(592)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7413.6%(528)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 848.7%(338)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over4.5%(174)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,114
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,894 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,681
+149%since 2000
from $17,932 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.6%
+27.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.1%
−4.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.507
+16%since 2010
from 0.436 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing17.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction16.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical6.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade3.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$114,500
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$648
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $267 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 76.5% in 2000
22.9% rent
Vacancy rate
19.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.3%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+19%since 2009
from 1.5 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
58
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wells County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(5,044)
Black0.1%(7)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(15)
Asian0.2%(12)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(3,698)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(22)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other4.2%(162)
Diversity Score
12
+149%since 2009
from 5 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Segregation Score
26
−15%since 2020
from 31 in 2020
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means White and non-White residents are more separated across neighborhoods.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.2%(7)
Dominican0.1%(4)
Asian origin
Chinese0.2%(6)
Filipino0.1%(3)
Ancestry
German53.7%(2,090)
Norwegian24.5%(952)
Irish6.2%(240)
Russian4.4%(173)
American3.8%(149)
English2.6%(102)
Polish1.6%(63)
Swedish1.4%(54)
Scottish1.4%(53)
French1.1%(44)
Czech1.1%(42)
+ 11 more ancestry groups with data
Belgian0.9%(35)
Italian0.4%(16)
Dutch0.2%(9)
Welsh0.2%(9)
Danish0.2%(6)
Ukrainian0.1%(5)
Arab0.1%(3)
British0.1%(3)
Austrian0.1%(2)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest Norwegian population · Largest Irish population · Largest Russian population · Largest American population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.3%
+19.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.6 min
+9%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.0%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
11.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 2.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 59.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.5%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.4%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2012
from 14.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.7%
−87.2 ptssince 2013
from 90.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.3%
+10.0 ptssince 2017
from 72.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 98.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 0.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married28%(428)
Married60.5%(927)
Widowed1.2%(19)
Divorced10.3%(157)
Women 15+
Never married17.9%(284)
Married55.4%(881)
Widowed16.9%(269)
Divorced9.8%(156)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Wells County to nearby counties

WELLS COUNTY VS
Sheridan County
Income$62,639−5%
Home value$110,300−4%
Population1,296−65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WELLS COUNTY VS
Benson County
Income$64,033−3%
Home value$90,000−21%
Population5,759+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WELLS COUNTY VS
Eddy County
Income$50,850−23%
Home value$124,000+8%
Population2,329−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WELLS COUNTY VS
Foster County
Income$87,831+33%
Home value$167,500+46%
Population3,212−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wells County, North Dakota?

Wells County, North Dakota has about 3,890 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wells County, North Dakota earns about $66,114 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wells County, North Dakota expensive?

In Wells County, North Dakota, the median home is worth about $114,500, and the typical rent is about $648 a month.

How educated are people in Wells County, North Dakota?

About 21.7% of adults age 25 and over in Wells County, North Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 9.1% of people in Wells County, North Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wells County, North Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Wells County, North Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,974 residents, a change of about -34 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

2 census tracts
Census Tract 9600Census Tract 9598
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 58341ZIP 58438ZIP 58418ZIP 58423ZIP 58486ZIP 58422ZIP 58451
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →