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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Wells County

North Dakota · 3,982 residents · 1,270.533 sq mi
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The short version

Wells County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,519. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 1,120 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $89,600. With a median age of 52.4, 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 52.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,982
−22%since 2000
from 5,102 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 4 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
52.4
+16%since 2000
from 45.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K5K5K6K1990201020202024Wells County
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,519
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,894 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,563
+104%since 2000
from $17,932 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.3%
+17.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.6%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing18.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction15.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Information8.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration7.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade4.2%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing2.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,600
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$614
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $267 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
80.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 76.5% in 2000
19.9% rent
Afford Score
1.6
+25%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score1.7%(85)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic95%(3,784)
Black0.5%(18)
Hispanic / Latino1%(38)
Asian0.3%(12)
Other0.2%(7)
Diversity Score4.8%(191)
Segregation Score31%(1,234)
Diversity Score
5
+188%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.2%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.3%
+17.7 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.5 min
+31%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
67.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 2.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.6%
+3.6 ptssince 2011
from 59.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.5%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Female
52.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.9%
−88.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wells County

Haskell County
Pop 3,599
Aleutians East
Pop 3,479
Stafford County
Pop 4,005
Pope County
Pop 3,672
Places similar to Wells County
Head to head

Compare Wells County to nearby counties

WELLS COUNTY VS
Sheridan County
Income$62,639+11%
Home value$110,300+23%
Population1,296−65%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WELLS COUNTY VS
Benson County
Income$64,033+13%
Home value$90,000same
Population5,759+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WELLS COUNTY VS
Eddy County
Income$50,850−10%
Home value$124,000+38%
Population2,329−38%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WELLS COUNTY VS
Foster County
Income$87,831+55%
Home value$167,500+87%
Population3,212−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wells County, North Dakota?

Wells County, North Dakota has about 3,982 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wells County, North Dakota earns about $56,519 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 $89,600, and the typical rent is about $614 a month.

How educated are people in Wells County, North Dakota?

About 22.2% 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 8.6% 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 1,882 residents, a change of about -32 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

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