Best Cities for Families in North Dakota
North Dakota ranks #5 of 50 for families, with a families score of 81.1. West Fargo is its best city for families at 72.0.
- North Dakota, all states
- #5 of 50
- Population
- 40,094
Why North Dakota Works for Families
North Dakota is one of the very best state for families, ranking #5 out of 50. With strong schools, a moderate violent crime rate of 256.7 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $77,871, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 89.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and North Dakota shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 85.1%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 65/100. Center-based infant care costs $12,281 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. North Dakota performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 256.7 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate, prior year: the FBI flags the latest year as based on limited data). The low cost of living (index: 89) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1West Fargo | A+ | 72.0 | 69.3 | 67 | 88 | 76 | 40,094 |
| 2Grand Forks | A | 68.8 | 63.9 | 67 | 75 | 83 | 59,042 |
| 3Beulah | B+ | 68.2 | 60.1 | 67 | 94 | 84 | 3,040 |
| 4Dickinson | B+ | 67.9 | 62.7 | 51 | 84 | 82 | 25,357 |
| 5Minot | B+ | 67.4 | 62.1 | 58 | 80 | 83 | 47,791 |
| 6Lincoln | B | 65.5 | 58.0 | — | 100 | 80 | 4,381 |
| 7Fargo | B+ | 64.8 | 62.0 | 71 | 59 | 80 | 131,627 |
| 8Grafton | C+ | 64.4 | 54.9 | 61 | 89 | 90 | 4,102 |
| 9Horace | A+ | 63.9 | 69.0 | 64 | — | 60 | 4,588 |
| 10Wahpeton | C+ | 63.5 | 54.4 | 51 | 92 | 89 | 8,010 |
| 11Minot AFB | C+ | 63.5 | 53.7 | 59 | — | 77 | 4,878 |
| 12Watford City | B+ | 63.4 | 61.3 | 61 | 68 | 72 | 6,039 |
| 13Devils Lake | C | 63.2 | 50.0 | 62 | 84 | 90 | 7,308 |
| 14Valley City | C | 63.1 | 52.2 | 64 | 95 | 89 | 6,541 |
| 15Jamestown | C+ | 63.0 | 53.2 | 65 | 88 | 87 | 15,787 |
| 16Williston | B+ | 62.2 | 60.4 | 49 | 67 | 80 | 28,056 |
| 17Bismarck | B+ | 62.0 | 61.8 | 62 | 78 | 78 | 75,556 |
| 18Casselton | C | 61.1 | 52.1 | 61 | — | 81 | 2,953 |
| 19Mandan | C+ | 58.7 | 53.2 | 53 | 76 | 79 | 24,522 |
| 20New Town | F | 58.4 | 42.0 | 62 | — | 86 | 2,721 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: North Dakota for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Dakota a good state for families?
North Dakota ranks #5 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 81.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (84/100) and its weakest is Environment (39/100).
What is the best city for families in North Dakota?
West Fargo ranks #1 in North Dakota for families with a score of 72.0/100, followed by Grand Forks and Beulah.
What factors are most important for families in North Dakota?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.