Special Interest
Housing in Ward County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Ward County averages $1,048/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the North Dakota median of $954 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 24% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Ward County FMR Area are $890 for a studio, $1,061 for 1‑bedroom, $1,287 for 2‑bedroom, $1,790 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,159 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $239 increase for a 2-bedroom in Ward County shows a 23% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Ward County was 2.4% in 2024, compared to North Dakota at 2.4% and the national rate of 4.0%.
