Top 10 Worst Places to Live in North Dakota in 2025

Top 10 Worst Places to Live In North Dakota . Top 10 Worst Cities In North Dakota to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in North Dakota. Top 10 Worst Villages in North Dakota. If you’re thinking about a move to North Dakota, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In North Dakota You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In North Carolina. 10 Places in North Dakota You Should NEVER Move To.



TOP 10 WORST PLACES TO LIVE IN NORTH DAKOTA

1. DEVILS LAKE

Devils Lake is a city located in the eastern part of North Dakota, near the shore of the lake with the same name, which is the largest natural body of water in the state. It is approximately 90 miles northwest of Grand Forks, ND.  Devils Lake ranks 4th in poverty and lowest median income in the North Dakota. City also ranks 2nd in overall crime, property crime and 3rd in violent crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Devils Lake is 23.9%, which is 70.71% higher than national average. The typical household in Devils Lake earns $39248 a year, which is 41.85% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

The overall crime rate in city is 71.92% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 87.2% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 27 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 7302
Unemployment Rate : 0.4%
Poverty : 23.9%
Median Home Value : $114200
Median Home Income : $39248
Overall Score : 5/10

2. JAMESTOWN

Jamestown is a city situated in the south-central part of North Dakota, along the James River and near several major highways. It is approximately 95 miles west of Fargo, ND. Jamestown ranks 6th in property crime, 8th in overall crime and 10th in violent crime in the state.  City also ranks 11th in unemployment, 12th in poverty and 13th in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The overall crime rate in city is 10.22% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 20.18% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 43 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 15216
Unemployment Rate : 4.8%
Poverty : 14.1%
Median Home Value : $151100
Median Home Income : $49846
Overall Score : 6/10

3. FORT TOTTEN

Fort Totten is a small community located on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation in central North Dakota, known for its historic military fort and natural beauty. The nearest major city is Devils Lake, located approximately 40 miles to the northeast. Fort Totten ranks 1st in poverty and lowest median income,  2nd in unemployment in the North Dakota.

The poverty rate of Fort Totten is 66.3%, which is 373.57% higher than national average. The typical household in Fort Totten earns $22917 a year, which is 66.05% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 2 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 3 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 81.8% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.

The unemployment rate of Fort Totten remained 15.2%, which is 223.4% higher than national rate. 1 in every 7 workers in Fort Totten is unemployed. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.



Population : 1247
Unemployment Rate : 15.2%
Poverty : 66.3%
Median Home Value : $54800
Median Home Income : $22917
Overall Score : 3/10

4. SHELL VALLEY

Shell Valley is an unincorporated community situated in the northwestern part of North Dakota, near the Canadian border and the Turtle Mountains. The nearest major city is Minot, located approximately 65 miles to the west. Shell Valley ranks 1st in unemployment, 2nd in poverty and 3rd in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The poverty rate of Shell Valley is 33.9%, which is 142.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Shell Valley earns $35438 a year, which is 47.5% lower than national average. At least 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, where as 1 in every 5 workers in Shell Valley is unemployed.

The unemployment rate of Shell Valley remained 18.6%, which is 295.74% higher than national rate. More than 1 in every 4 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 74.3% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.  


Population : 1174
Unemployment Rate : 18.6%
Poverty : 33.9%
Median Home Value : $67300
Median Home Income : $35438
Overall Score : 3/10

5. BELCOURT

Belcourt is a city located in the northern part of North Dakota, near the Turtle Mountains and the Canadian border, and home to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. The nearest major city is Minot, located approximately 100 miles to the west. Belcourt ranks 4th in unemployment, 3rd in poverty and 2nd in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The poverty rate of Belcourt is 26.9%, which is 92.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Belcourt earns $31184 a year, which is 53.8% lower than national average. 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, where as more than 1 in every 5 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  The unemployment rate of Belcourt remained 7.5%, which is 59.57% higher than national rate.

Population : 2270
Unemployment Rate : 7.5%
Poverty : 26.9%
Median Home Value : $86800
Median Home Income : $31184
Overall Score : 4/10

6. WAHPETON

Wahpeton is a city located in southeastern North Dakota, near the border with Minnesota and the Red River of the North. The nearest major city is Fargo, located approximately 50 miles to the north. Wahpeton ranks 4th in violent crime, 5th in overall crime and property crime  in the state. City also ranks 13th in unemployment, 7th in poverty and 6th in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The poverty rate of Wahpeton is 18.6%, which is 32.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Wahpeton earns $44426 a year, which is 34.18% lower than national average.

The overall crime rate in city is 27.92% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 34.77% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 38 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 7772
Unemployment Rate : 4.4%
Poverty : 18.6%
Median Home Value : $125100
Median Home Income : $44426
Overall Score : 6/10

7. GRAND FORKS

Grand Forks is a city located in the northeastern part of North Dakota, near the border with Minnesota and the Red River of the North, and home to the University of North Dakota. The nearest major city is Fargo, located approximately 75 miles to the south. Grand Forks ranks 8th in poverty, 7th in overall crime, 8th in violent crime and 7th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Grand Forks is 17.9%, which is 27.86% higher than national average. The typical household in Grand Forks earns $50194 a year, which is 25.64% lower than national average.

The overall crime rate in city is 12.25% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 19.58% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 43 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 56588
Unemployment Rate : 4.4%
Poverty : 17.9%
Median Home Value : $209800
Median Home Income : $50194
Overall Score : 8/10

8. SHELL VALLEY

Shell Valley is an unincorporated community situated in the northwestern part of North Dakota, near the Canadian border and the Turtle Mountains. The nearest major city is Minot, located approximately 65 miles to the west. Shell Valley ranks 1st in unemployment, 2nd in poverty and 3rd in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The unemployment rate of Shell Valley remained 18.6%, which is 295.74% higher than national rate. Nearly one in every 1 in every 5 workers in Shell Valley is unemployed.   The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.

The poverty rate of Shell Valley is 33.9%, which is 142.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Shell Valley earns $35438 a year, which is 47.5% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 4 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  Nearly 74.3% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.


Population : 1174
Unemployment Rate : 18.6%
Poverty : 33.9%
Median Home Value : $67300
Median Home Income : $35438
Overall Score : 3/10

9. WALHALLA

Walhalla is a city situated in the northeastern part of North Dakota, near the Canadian border and the Pembina Gorge, a scenic area along the Pembina River. The nearest major city is Grand Forks, located approximately 75 miles to the northwest. Walhalla ranks 7th in unemployment, 16th in poverty and 17th in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The unemployment rate of Walhalla remained 7%, which is 48.94% higher than national rate. The typical household in Walhalla earns $51447 a year, which is 23.78% lower than national average.



Population : 1058
Unemployment Rate : 7%
Poverty : 13%
Median Home Value : $93200
Median Home Income : $51447
Overall Score : 5/10

10. ROLLA

Rolla is a city located in the northwestern part of North Dakota, near the Canadian border and the Turtle Mountains, and home to the International Peace Garden. The nearest major city is Minot, located approximately 80 miles to the southwest.Rolla ranks 5th in poverty, 8th in unemployment and 25th in lowest median income in the North Dakota.

The poverty rate of Rolla is 20.1%, which is 43.57% higher than national average. The typical household in Rolla earns $55000 a year, which is 18.52% lower than national average. 1 in every 5 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. 

The unemployment rate of Rolla remained 6.3%, which is 34.04% higher than national rate.

Population : 1299
Unemployment Rate : 6.3%
Poverty : 20.1%
Median Home Value : $99200
Median Home Income : $55000
Overall Score : 5/10

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