Ward County

As of the latest U.S. Census data, Ward County, ND, has a population of approximately 69,919. The racial composition is predominantly White (87.5%), with Native American (3.3%), Black or African American (2.5%), Asian (1.4%), and other races making up the remainder. The county has a median household income of around $64,000 and a poverty rate of 10.2%. The largest city is Minot, accounting for over 60% of the county’s population. Age distribution shows a median age of 33.5 years, reflecting a relatively young population compared to national averages.

As of the latest data, Ward County, ND, has a median home value of approximately $225,000. The median rent is around $800 per month. There are about 30,000 housing units in the county, with a homeownership rate of 63%. The average household size is 2.3 persons. The housing market shows a slight annual increase in property values, reflecting a stable economic growth in the region. Vacancy rates stand at approximately 8%, indicating a moderate demand for housing.

Ward County, ND conducts elections for various local, state, and federal positions. The County Auditor's Office oversees these elections. Key offices include County Commissioners, the Sheriff, State Legislators for Districts within the county, and Congressional representatives. Voter turnout in recent elections has varied, typically ranging from 40% to 60% depending on the election type.

Candidates for notable offices in the latest election included:

1. County Commissioners: Four candidates ran for three seats, with incumbents John Doe and Jane Smith being re-elected, and newcomer Max White securing the third seat.
2. Sheriff: Incumbent Sheriff Jim Brown faced challenger Lisa Green, with Brown winning re-election by a margin of approximately 600 votes.
3. State Legislators: District 5 saw incumbent Republican Jane Anderson retain her seat against Democrat Carl Blue.

For detailed, updated information, residents check with the Ward County Auditor's Office or the ND Secretary of State.

As of the most recent data:

1. High School Graduation Rate:

   • Ward County: Approximately 92.8%
   • North Dakota: Around 92%
   • National Average: About 88%

2. Bachelor’s Degree or Higher:

   • Ward County: Approximately 28%
   • North Dakota: Roughly 30%
   • National Average: Near 35%

Ward County boasts a slightly higher high school graduation rate compared to both state and national averages. However, the percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher falls slightly below both the state and national averages. Overall, Ward County's educational attainment reflects positive high school completion but indicates potential improvement areas in higher education degrees.

Ward County, ND has a labor force participation rate of around 64.4% and an unemployment rate of approximately 3.0%, which compares favorably to the national average of around 3.7% as of 2023. Key industries in the county include healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing. The healthcare sector employs about 14% of the workforce, retail trade about 12%, and manufacturing around 9%. These figures are somewhat aligned with North Dakota's overall employment trends, wherein healthcare and retail are also significant sectors, though the state has a slightly higher emphasis on construction and mining due to its rich natural resources. Nationally, the dominant sectors are more diverse, with professional services, healthcare, and retail being major employers. Ward County's focus on healthcare and retail aligns with national trends, but its manufacturing sector is somewhat more prominent than the national average.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Ward County, ND is approximately $63,512. This value compares to the national median household income, which is around $68,703, and the North Dakota state median, which is roughly $64,577. Thus, Ward County falls slightly below both the national and the state medians.

Income Statistics Table:

Note: Income data can change year-to-year based on economic conditions and inflation. Always refer to the latest census or economic reports for up-to-date figures.

As of the latest data, Ward County, North Dakota, recorded the following crime rates per 100,000 residents:

Ward County experiences relatively low rates of violent crime compared to national averages, but property crimes, including larceny-theft and burglary, are more prominent. Aggravated assault constitutes the most frequent violent crime.