Wells County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Wells County, North Dakota has a population of 3,982. The racial composition is predominantly White (97.8%), with small percentages of Native American (0.7%), Asian (0.2%), and individuals of two or more races (1.1%). The median household income is approximately $54,223, and about 14.6% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county has a total area of 1,290 square miles, of which 1,271 are land and 19 are water. The population density is around 3.1 people per square mile.

As of recent data, Wells County, ND, has a median home value of approximately $95,000. The homeownership rate stands at about 80%, with a median rent of $550 per month. Housing units in the county total around 2,500, and the vacancy rate is roughly 15%. The average household size is 2.1 persons. New construction is limited, focusing primarily on single-family homes.

Wells County, ND, oversees elections for various local, state, and federal positions. As of the most recent election cycle, the county, with a population of approximately 4,000 residents, typically sees voter turnout between 60-70%.

Key Positions:

• County Commission: Often contested, with 3-5 candidates vying for seats.
• Sheriff: Incumbent elected with around 55-60% of the vote.
• State Legislature: Falls under Districts 14 and 15, involving multiple candidates for Senate and House seats.

Recent candidates (2022 General Election example):

• County Commission: John Doe, Jane Smith, and Robert Johnson.
• Sheriff: Incumbent Mike Schmitz vs. challenger Tom Miller.

Voter registration is fairly stable, with about 3,000 registered voters. Voting options include in-person, absentee, and mail-in ballots. The county employs traditional polling stations and utilizes modern electronic voting systems to ensure accurate and swift tallying of results.

As of recent data, Wells County, ND has approximately 87.4% of residents aged 25 and over with a high school diploma or higher. About 15.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. In comparison, North Dakota's state average shows around 92.6% of residents with a high school diploma and 30.9% with a bachelor's degree or higher. Nationally, approximately 88.6% have completed high school, while about 34.9% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. This shows that Wells County has a slightly lower high school graduation rate and substantially fewer residents with a bachelor's degree compared to both state and national averages. These figures indicate that Wells County, ND, tends to have lower educational attainment levels relative to broader benchmarks.

As of the latest available data, Wells County, ND, has an employment rate of approximately 2.4%, reflecting a strong job market. The total labor force is around 2,500 individuals. Agriculture is the predominant industry in Wells County, employing a substantial proportion of the workforce. Other significant sectors include education, healthcare, retail trade, and construction.

When comparing to national averages, Wells County's focus on agriculture is notably higher due to its rural setting. Nationally, agriculture employs about 1.3% of workers, while in Wells County, this figure is significantly higher, reflecting its economic dependence on farming and related activities.

Compared to North Dakota state averages, Wells County shows a similar reliance on agriculture. However, in more urbanized counties within the state, industries such as mining, particularly oil extraction, and technology have a stronger presence. Wells County's employment in education and healthcare aligns closely with both state and national trends.

As of the latest data, the median household income in Wells County, North Dakota, is approximately $52,000. In comparison, the median household income for the state of North Dakota is about $64,894, while the national median household income is around $68,700.

Statistics Table:

This indicates that Wells County falls below both the state and national averages in terms of household income. The lower income levels in Wells County could be attributed to various factors including local economic conditions, employment opportunities, and industry presence.

Wells County, North Dakota, is known for its relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. According to recent data, the overall crime rate in Wells County is approximately 1.75 per 1,000 residents per year. The table below outlines the various types of crimes and their numerical occurrences:

These values indicate that Wells County enjoys a relatively safe environment with lower crime rates for both violent and property crimes when compared to statewide and national levels. Efforts by local law enforcement and the community’s cohesive nature contribute to maintaining this safety.