Dunn County

Dunn County is located in west-central North Dakota, stretching from the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea northward across the rolling plains of the Fort Berthold region. Established in 1883 and named for politician John Piatt Dunn, the county developed through late-19th-century settlement and railroad-era growth, with the river corridor remaining a defining geographic feature. Dunn County is small in population by state standards, with roughly 3,500–4,000 residents, and is characterized by widely spaced communities and extensive open land. The landscape includes prairie, badlands terrain in places, and the shoreline and coulees associated with the Missouri River system. The local economy is primarily rural, centered on agriculture and ranching, with additional activity linked to energy development in the Bakken region and related services. The county seat is Manning, while Killdeer is the largest city.

Dunn County is located in western North Dakota within the Bakken oil-producing region and includes the City of Killdeer (county seat). The county is part of the state’s Missouri Plateau geographic area and is administered from local offices in Killdeer and regional state agencies serving western North Dakota.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Dunn County, North Dakota, the county’s population was 3,724 (2023 estimate).

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution and sex composition are published by the U.S. Census Bureau for Dunn County. The most direct summary tables are available through the county’s QuickFacts demographic tables and the Census Bureau’s data.census.gov portal (American Community Survey 5-year tables for detailed age brackets and male/female counts).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and Hispanic/Latino origin are reported for Dunn County in the U.S. Census Bureau’s county profile products. The most commonly cited county summary values are maintained in the QuickFacts race and ethnicity section for Dunn County, with more detailed breakdowns accessible via data.census.gov (ACS 5-year detailed race categories and Hispanic origin cross-tabs).

Household & Housing Data

Household counts, average household size, housing unit counts, occupancy (owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied), and related indicators for Dunn County are available in U.S. Census Bureau county tables. Summary measures are presented in the QuickFacts housing and households sections for Dunn County, while additional housing characteristics (year structure built, plumbing/kitchen facilities, gross rent, home value distributions) are available through data.census.gov (ACS 5-year housing and household tables).

Local Government Reference

For local government contacts, county services, and planning resources, visit the Dunn County, North Dakota official website.

Dunn County, North Dakota is a large, sparsely populated county where long distances between communities can raise the cost and complexity of wired infrastructure, shaping how residents access digital communications such as email.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published, so email adoption is summarized using proxy indicators from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov), especially household internet and device access. Key indicators include broadband subscription rates and the share of households with a computer, which are commonly used to approximate readiness for regular email use.

Age distribution is a major driver of email adoption because older age cohorts tend to report lower rates of digital engagement than working-age adults; Dunn County’s age profile can be referenced through American Community Survey tables and county profiles. Gender distribution is generally less predictive of email use than age and connectivity, but county sex-by-age structure is available through the same Census sources.

Connectivity constraints in rural western North Dakota are commonly reflected in service availability and speeds; infrastructure context is documented via the FCC National Broadband Map and local planning materials from Dunn County government.

Dunn County is in west-central North Dakota and includes the county seat of Manning and the city of Killdeer. The county is predominantly rural, with a small number of population centers separated by large areas of agricultural land and badlands terrain associated with the Little Missouri region. Low population density and long distances between towers and fiber backhaul routes are structural factors that can reduce mobile coverage consistency and increase the likelihood of spotty service away from main highways and towns. Baseline county geography and population characteristics are documented through the U.S. Census Bureau’s county profiles on Census.gov (QuickFacts for Dunn County).

Definitions used in this overview (availability vs. adoption)

• Network availability (supply-side) refers to whether a mobile network operator reports service coverage in an area (for example, LTE or 5G coverage shown on federal or operator coverage datasets).
• Household adoption/usage (demand-side) refers to whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service and how they use it (for example, smartphone ownership, mobile-only internet reliance, or device mix).

County-level adoption metrics are limited compared with availability data, and many widely cited adoption indicators are published at the state level or for multi-county survey regions rather than for Dunn County specifically.

Network availability in Dunn County (LTE/4G and 5G)

FCC-reported mobile broadband coverage (availability)

The most standardized public source for U.S. mobile coverage reporting is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC), which includes provider-reported mobile broadband availability by technology (including LTE and 5G) and is presented as map layers rather than direct “adoption” measures. FCC mobile availability data and map viewers are accessible via the FCC National Broadband Map.

Key points relevant to Dunn County:

• 4G/LTE: LTE is generally the baseline wide-area mobile technology in rural counties. FCC coverage layers typically show substantial LTE availability across rural North Dakota, but the mapped availability does not guarantee uniform signal strength indoors or in rugged terrain.
• 5G: 5G availability in rural areas is commonly concentrated along highways and within towns, with broader-area 5G often provided via low-band spectrum where deployed. The FCC map is the most direct way to view the currently reported 5G footprint at granular geography for Dunn County.

Limitations of FCC availability data

• FCC mobile availability reflects where providers report they can offer service, not measured performance or whether residents subscribe.
• Coverage maps do not fully capture terrain-related shadowing, indoor signal conditions, or congestion at peak times.
• Provider-reported coverage is subject to challenge and revision through FCC processes; the FCC provides information on the collection and challenge framework through its broadband data pages, including references from the FCC Broadband Data Collection program.

State broadband and infrastructure context (availability and planning)

North Dakota broadband planning materials often describe rural connectivity constraints (distance, backhaul, and sparse settlement patterns) that also affect mobile networks, especially where tower siting and fiber backhaul are limited. State-level broadband initiatives and mapping links are consolidated through the State of North Dakota website and related broadband program pages referenced by state agencies.

Actual adoption and mobile penetration indicators (county-level limitations)

What is available at county level

• Direct county-level “mobile penetration” statistics (for example, percent of residents with a mobile subscription, smartphone ownership, or mobile-only households) are not consistently published for individual counties such as Dunn County in standard federal datasets.
• The U.S. Census Bureau and other federal statistical programs primarily publish internet subscription and device-use indicators at broader geographies (state, metro area, or survey region). Dunn County’s small population and rural structure make county-specific estimates less common.

Relevant federal indicators that are typically not county-specific

• Measures such as “smartphone-only households” or “cellular data plan subscription” are most often derived from national surveys (for example, CPS supplements). These are typically available at national and state levels rather than a single county like Dunn.

For context on what the Census Bureau publishes regarding internet and device use (often not county-specific), see the Census Bureau’s internet resources and survey documentation via Census Bureau computer and internet use topics.

Mobile internet usage patterns (how mobile service is used)

County-specific usage pattern metrics (such as share using mobile as primary home internet, average data usage, or typical application mix) are generally not published for Dunn County in public federal datasets. The most defensible description at the county level relies on measurable contextual factors:

• Rural service areas often rely on LTE as the primary wide-area layer, with 5G presence varying by operator footprint and tower upgrades (availability visible on the FCC National Broadband Map).
• On-road vs. off-road differences: Connectivity tends to be stronger near towns and major routes where towers are more likely to be sited and backhaul is more available, and weaker in sparsely populated areas with rugged terrain and fewer sites.

Performance measurements (download/upload/latency by location) are not the same as availability and are usually obtained through third-party testing datasets or operator reports, which are not consistently published in a county-resolvable way for Dunn County.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

No standard public dataset provides a definitive breakdown of device types (smartphone vs. basic phone vs. tablet/hotspot) specifically for Dunn County. General U.S. rural patterns indicate smartphones dominate consumer mobile access, but county-specific confirmation is not available in a public, regularly updated statistical series.

Related device and subscription concepts are often discussed in Census internet-use materials (generally at state or national levels) via Census Bureau computer and internet use topics, but those resources do not typically provide a Dunn County–only device mix.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography, settlement pattern, and terrain (connectivity constraints)

• Low population density reduces the economic incentive for dense tower grids, increasing the distance between sites and making coverage more variable between communities.
• Badlands terrain and elevation variation can create localized signal obstruction, affecting line-of-sight propagation and indoor penetration in some areas.
• Long travel distances increase the importance of continuous coverage along highways, but tower placement and backhaul availability can still produce gaps.

General county characteristics (population, land area, and related measures) are available via Census.gov QuickFacts for Dunn County.

Economic activity and land use

Dunn County’s economy includes energy-sector activity in the broader Bakken region, which can influence where infrastructure investment concentrates (for example, near active industrial corridors and towns). Publicly verified, county-level telecommunications adoption effects tied to industry cycles are not available in standard federal adoption datasets, so this factor is limited to infrastructure-planning context rather than quantified mobile usage rates.

Age and household composition (adoption constraints, not availability)

Age structure, income, and household characteristics can influence subscription and device ownership, but county-specific mobile subscription and smartphone ownership measures are not published in a single authoritative series for Dunn County. Core demographic baselines are available from the U.S. Census Bureau (see Census.gov QuickFacts), but linking those directly to mobile adoption requires survey estimates that are typically not released at this county granularity.

Summary: what can be stated with confidence for Dunn County

• Availability: LTE and some degree of 5G availability can be evaluated using provider-reported FCC map layers for Dunn County through the FCC National Broadband Map; this is the most direct public source for county-area mobile availability.
• Adoption: County-specific measures of mobile penetration (subscriptions), smartphone share, and mobile-only internet reliance are not consistently available in public federal datasets for Dunn County. State or national surveys provide context but do not resolve reliably to the county level.
• Influencing factors: Rural settlement patterns, terrain, and distance between communities are the dominant structural factors affecting connectivity consistency and likely shape how residents experience mobile service across the county.

Dunn County is in western North Dakota, anchored by Killdeer and communities tied to agriculture and energy development in the Bakken region. Its rural geography, long travel distances, and a workforce linked to oilfield services and associated industries tend to elevate the practical value of mobile connectivity and locally focused online groups for community updates, work coordination, and marketplace activity.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• County-specific social media penetration: No authoritative, regularly updated public dataset provides Dunn County–level social media penetration or “active user” rates by platform. Most reliable measures are published at the U.S. national level and, less consistently, at the state level through private vendors.
• National benchmark (adults): About 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media, based on Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet. This is the most commonly cited baseline for interpreting local areas where direct measurements are unavailable.
• Connectivity context relevant to rural use: Rural broadband and smartphone access are key drivers of platform activity. Pew’s reporting on rural–urban digital divides provides context for why usage intensity and platform mix can differ in rural counties such as Dunn.

Age group trends

• Highest usage: Adults 18–29 consistently show the highest social media usage rates nationally (Pew). Usage remains high among 30–49, then declines among older groups, with the lowest rates among 65+. Source: Pew Research Center social media demographics.
• Platform-by-age pattern (national):
  • Younger adults skew more toward Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok.
  • Middle-age groups show broad usage of Facebook and YouTube alongside other platforms.
  • Older adults concentrate more on Facebook and YouTube than on newer short-form video platforms (Pew).
• Local interpretation for Dunn County: A rural county profile typically corresponds with a relatively strong role for Facebook and YouTube for cross-age reach, with short-form video use concentrated among younger residents.

Gender breakdown

• Overall differences: Nationally, gender differences vary by platform more than by “any social media” usage; women often report higher use on some platforms (e.g., Pinterest), while men can be more prevalent on others (platform-dependent). Source: Pew Research Center platform-by-demographic tables.
• County-specific gender split: No public, authoritative source provides Dunn County–specific platform usage by gender; the most defensible comparison point is Pew’s platform demographic breakdowns at the national level.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available; national benchmarks)

Percentages below are U.S. adult usage (not Dunn County–specific), used as the most reliable proxy for relative platform prevalence:

• YouTube: 83%
• Facebook: 68%
• Instagram: 47%
• Pinterest: 35%
• TikTok: 33%
• LinkedIn: 30%
• X (formerly Twitter): 22%
• Snapchat: 27%
• WhatsApp: 29%
  Source: Pew Research Center, Social Media Fact Sheet (latest available survey wave in the fact sheet).

Behavioral trends (engagement and preferences)

• Community information and local commerce: Rural counties commonly show heavier reliance on Facebook Pages/Groups for school updates, weather and road conditions, community events, and peer-to-peer buying/selling, reflecting Facebook’s broad age reach and group features (consistent with Pew’s finding that Facebook remains widely used across adult age groups).
• Video-first consumption: High national penetration of YouTube supports its role as a cross-demographic channel for how-to content, local news clips, and entertainment; mobile-friendly video is especially relevant where travel time and dispersed communities increase demand for asynchronous information sources (Pew usage rates above).
• Short-form video concentration among younger adults: TikTok/Snapchat/Instagram engagement tends to be higher among younger users, with more frequent daily checking and content creation relative to older groups (Pew platform-by-age patterns).
• Messaging and coordination: Private or semi-private communication (platform DMs and group messaging) is commonly used for coordinating work schedules, community sports, and local organizations; this aligns with broader U.S. trends toward messaging-centered engagement layered onto major platforms (Pew reports platform use and demographic skew, while messaging intensity is often highest among younger cohorts).
• News and public affairs exposure: Social platforms remain a significant pathway to news for many Americans, with variation by platform; contextual grounding is provided by Pew Research Center’s Social Media and News Fact Sheet.

Dunn County, North Dakota maintains several family- and associate-related public records through county offices and state-administered vital records systems. Recorded documents affecting family relationships and property (marriages, divorces filed as civil cases, judgments, deeds, and liens) are maintained by the Dunn County Clerk of District Court and the Dunn County Recorder. Birth and death certificates are administered at the state level by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records, rather than by the county.

Public-facing databases commonly include recorded-document search tools (real estate and indexing information) and court case access for nonconfidential matters. Online access points are typically provided from the county’s official website and linked services used by the Recorder and Clerk of Court.

Residents access records in person at the Dunn County Courthouse (Clerk of District Court and Recorder) during business hours, or online where county-linked search portals are provided. Official county entry points include the Dunn County website (Dunn County, ND (official site)) and its department listings for records offices.

Privacy restrictions apply to many family-related records. North Dakota vital records (birth and death certificates) are not fully public and are released under state eligibility rules. Adoption records are generally sealed and accessed only through authorized processes. Court records involving juveniles, certain domestic relations filings, and protected information may be confidential or redacted.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage licenses and certificates: Issued at the county level and used to document the legal authorization to marry and the completed marriage return.
• Marriage applications/affidavits (supporting documents): Often associated with the license file and may include additional personal details recorded at the time of application.

Divorce records

• Divorce decrees/judgments: Final court orders dissolving a marriage, maintained as part of the civil case file in the district court.
• Divorce case files (pleadings and orders): Commonly include the complaint/summons, findings, orders related to custody/support/property, and the final judgment.

Annulment records

• Annulment judgments/decrees: Court orders declaring a marriage void or voidable, maintained in the district court as civil case records, similar in structure to divorce files.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

County recording and vital records custody

• Dunn County Recorder (Register of Deeds/Recorder office): Maintains county-level marriage documentation (license and recorded marriage return) created and recorded in Dunn County.
• North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records: Maintains statewide vital records indexes and certified copies for events recorded in North Dakota, including marriages and divorces, based on state reporting.

Court custody for divorce and annulment

• Southwest Judicial District Court (Dunn County): Maintains official divorce and annulment case files and final judgments/decrees for cases filed in Dunn County.
• North Dakota Courts records access: Case register information is typically accessible through the state judiciary’s case management/public access systems; availability of document images varies, and court staff provide access to filed documents subject to court rules and confidentiality requirements.

Access methods (typical)

• Certified copies: Typically obtained from the custodian agency (county recorder for local marriage records; state vital records for statewide certified vital records; district court clerk for court judgments where permitted).
• Informational/non-certified copies and index lookups: Commonly available through office search services, courthouse records inspection, and state judiciary online register tools, subject to identification, fees, and applicable restrictions.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage licenses/certificates (county and vital records)

Commonly include:

• Full names of both parties (including prior names where recorded)
• Date and place of marriage (city/county/state)
• Date the license was issued and the officiant’s return/certification
• Ages or dates of birth (as recorded at the time)
• Residences and/or mailing addresses at time of application
• Officiant name and authority, witnesses (where recorded)
• File/license number and recording information

Divorce decrees/judgments (district court)

Commonly include:

• Names of the parties and case number
• Date of filing and date of judgment
• Grounds or legal basis referenced in the judgment (as pleaded or found)
• Orders on dissolution, property division, and debt allocation
• Spousal support provisions (alimony) where ordered
• Child custody, parenting time, and child support terms where applicable
• Restoration of a former name where granted

Annulment judgments (district court)

Commonly include:

• Names of the parties and case number
• Findings supporting annulment and the legal disposition (void/voidable determination as addressed by the court)
• Orders addressing parentage, custody/support, and property issues where applicable
• Name change/restoration provisions where granted

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Vital records confidentiality: North Dakota treats certified vital records (including marriage and divorce records maintained by the state vital records office) as restricted records, with certified copies generally limited to individuals with a direct and tangible interest and others authorized by law. Identification and eligibility requirements apply.
• Court record confidentiality: Divorce and annulment case files are generally court records, but specific filings and data elements may be confidential under North Dakota court rules (commonly including protected identifiers and certain records involving minors, abuse protection matters, and sealed filings). Courts may restrict access to exhibits, financial records, or documents sealed by order.
• Sealed or restricted cases: A judge may order all or part of a divorce/annulment file sealed. Sealed materials are not available for general public inspection except as permitted by court order.
• Redaction requirements: Court rules typically require redaction of protected personal information (such as Social Security numbers and some financial account identifiers) in publicly accessible filings; unredacted versions may be maintained for the court’s use.

Reference links

• North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services – Vital Records: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/vital
• North Dakota Courts (state judiciary information and access): https://www.ndcourts.gov/
• Dunn County, North Dakota (county offices directory): https://www.co.dunn.nd.us/

Dunn County is in western North Dakota on the northern Great Plains, with a largely rural settlement pattern and small city centers (notably Killdeer as the county seat). Population change and community conditions have been strongly influenced by regional energy development cycles and agricultural activity, producing a mix of long-established farm/ranch communities and more mobile oilfield-related workforce housing demand.

Education Indicators

Public schools and school names

Dunn County’s public K–12 education is primarily served by three local districts/systems commonly associated with the county’s main communities:

• Killdeer Public School District (Killdeer)
• New Town Public School District (New Town; serves parts of the Lake Sakakawea area and surrounding region)
• Trenton Public School District (Trenton; serves the far northwestern area)

A single definitive count of “public schools located within Dunn County” varies by directory and by how buildings/campuses are counted (elementary/middle/high configurations can be combined or separated). The most consistent way to verify current school building lists is through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) district and school directory: North Dakota DPI district/school listings.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: County-specific ratios are not consistently published as a single summary statistic across all districts. Publicly available school-level ratios are typically reported through NDDPI and national datasets (NCES), and in rural western North Dakota they tend to be lower than large urban districts due to smaller enrollments. A countywide combined ratio is not a standard reported metric.
• Graduation rates: North Dakota publishes graduation outcomes at the district and state level; Dunn County does not have a single unified graduation rate because students are enrolled across multiple districts. District graduation rates are available through NDDPI accountability reporting: NDDPI school accountability information. As a proxy, North Dakota’s statewide high school graduation rate has generally been in the high-80% to low-90% range in recent years, with rural district rates varying by cohort size and student mobility.

Adult educational attainment

Adult educational attainment is most consistently available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) as 5-year estimates:

• High school diploma (or equivalent), age 25+: Dunn County is generally at or above a large majority of adults holding at least a high school diploma, consistent with statewide patterns.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+: Dunn County is typically below the statewide share for bachelor’s attainment, reflecting a workforce mix with larger shares in trades, extraction, transportation, and agriculture compared with metro counties.

County-level ACS figures are available via data.census.gov (ACS 5-year tables such as DP02/S1501).

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

• Career and technical education (CTE): Rural western North Dakota districts commonly emphasize CTE pathways aligned with regional labor needs (construction trades, welding, mechanics, ag-related skills, and applied technology). Formal program offerings are typically described in district course catalogs and NDDPI CTE resources: NDDPI Career & Technical Education.
• Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: Smaller districts may offer AP and/or dual credit options through state-supported arrangements and regional higher education partners. Availability varies by district size, staffing, and student demand.
• STEM: STEM offerings are commonly integrated through coursework and activities (science labs, robotics/engineering electives where staffing permits). District-level program detail is the most reliable source; a countywide STEM program inventory is not maintained as a single public dataset.

School safety measures and counseling resources

• Safety measures: North Dakota schools generally implement controlled building access, visitor procedures, emergency drills, and coordinated planning with local law enforcement. District safety plans are often summarized in board policies and annual notices rather than in a centralized county report.
• Counseling supports: Public schools in the county typically provide school counseling services and may coordinate with regional behavioral health providers. Staffing levels (counselor-to-student ratios) are not consistently compiled into a single county metric; they vary by district enrollment and budget.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

The most authoritative unemployment statistics are produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Dunn County’s unemployment rate varies materially with energy-sector cycles and seasonal patterns. The most recent annual and monthly values are available here:

• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

Because rates are updated frequently and differ by month versus annual average, a single “most recent year” value should be taken directly from the current LAUS release for Dunn County.

Major industries and employment sectors

Dunn County’s employment base is shaped by:

• Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (including support activities), tied to the Williston Basin
• Construction (often correlated with energy development)
• Transportation and warehousing (trucking and logistics supporting energy and agriculture)
• Agriculture (crop and livestock production in rural areas)
• Public administration, education, and health services (core local services in small communities)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (local-serving employment, sensitive to population shifts)

Industry composition by county can be referenced through ACS “industry by occupation” tables on data.census.gov and through North Dakota workforce publications.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Common occupational groupings in Dunn County typically include:

• Construction and extraction occupations (oilfield-related trades and operators)
• Transportation and material moving (commercial drivers, equipment transport)
• Installation, maintenance, and repair
• Management and business operations (smaller share than metro areas)
• Sales and office support
• Education, healthcare, and protective services (local public-sector and service roles)

A standardized county occupational distribution is available in ACS occupation tables (e.g., DP03/S2401) on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

• Commuting patterns: Commuting is a mix of local in-county travel to Killdeer and other hubs and cross-county commuting tied to oilfield sites and service centers across western North Dakota. Long-distance commuting and rotating shifts are more common in energy-related work than in statewide averages.
• Mean travel time to work: The ACS provides county mean commute time; Dunn County’s mean commute time is commonly in the mid- to upper-20 minutes range in many recent ACS periods, with variability driven by rural distances and jobsite locations. The authoritative current estimate is found in ACS commuting tables on data.census.gov (e.g., DP03).

Local employment versus out-of-county work

ACS “place of work” commuting flows are the standard source for the share of residents working within Dunn County versus commuting to other counties. In western North Dakota energy regions, out-of-county commuting is material, especially to major employment centers and dispersed job sites. Current shares are available via ACS commuting/flow tables on data.census.gov.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Dunn County’s housing tenure reflects a rural baseline of higher ownership, tempered by rental demand during energy upcycles.

• Homeownership: Generally a majority of occupied units are owner-occupied.
• Renting: Rental share increases in and near employment hubs and during periods of workforce in-migration.

Current county tenure rates are available in ACS housing tables (DP04) on data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: Dunn County home values rose notably during oil boom periods and have shown more volatility than many North Dakota counties, with price changes influenced by energy activity, interest rates, and local supply (including man camps/workforce housing cycles).
• The most consistent public “median value” series is ACS “median value (dollars) for owner-occupied housing units,” available on data.census.gov. For market-trend context, regional MLS summaries and state housing finance publications are commonly used proxies, but they are not always available at county granularity.

Typical rent prices

Typical rent is best measured by ACS “median gross rent.” In Dunn County, rents have historically been sensitive to oilfield demand and can differ substantially between small city centers and rural areas with limited rental stock. The current median gross rent is available via ACS DP04 on data.census.gov.

Types of housing

Housing stock is a mix of:

• Single-family detached homes (dominant in small towns and rural areas)
• Manufactured homes (more common in rural regions and as a lower-cost ownership option)
• Small multifamily properties/apartments (limited supply in smaller communities; more present in local hubs)
• Rural acreages and farm/ranch housing outside town limits

During high-demand energy periods, temporary workforce housing has historically affected availability and pricing, though its prevalence fluctuates.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Town-centered access: In communities such as Killdeer and New Town, housing closer to the town center generally has shorter travel times to schools, clinics, grocery, and local services.
• Rural living: Rural properties typically involve longer travel distances to schools and amenities, reliance on highways and county roads, and larger lot sizes/acreages.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

North Dakota property taxes are administered locally and vary by city, school district, and other taxing jurisdictions. Countywide “average” rates can mask substantial variation.

• Effective property tax rate: North Dakota’s effective property tax rates tend to be around 1% of home value on average statewide, with local variation.
• Typical homeowner property tax cost: The most comparable public metric is ACS “median real estate taxes paid” for owner-occupied homes, available for Dunn County on data.census.gov (DP04). For a jurisdiction-specific mill levy, the most direct source is local assessor and tax statement information; statewide context is summarized by the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.

Data note: Several requested items (countywide student–teacher ratio, a single unified graduation rate, and a single county “public school count” that remains stable across directories) are not maintained as one consolidated county statistic because education reporting is district- and school-based. The authoritative sources for the most recent district outcomes and school inventories are NDDPI and NCES, while unemployment and commuting rely on BLS LAUS and ACS commuting tables.