Bismarck

Bismarck, North Dakota Overview

With a composite score of 59.8/100 and a B+ grade, Bismarck ranks #5 of 20 cities in North Dakota. Its strongest showing is in Affordability (79/100), while Environment (39/100) represents its largest gap.

Income & Employment in Bismarck

The median household income in Bismarck is $75,846, 4% above the statewide median of $72,583. The local unemployment rate of 2.3% is higher than the state’s 2.2%. Population grew 1.8% recently.

Safety in Bismarck

Bismarck reports 315.5 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 267 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 3133.6 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Bismarck

With a cost of living index of 89.6, Bismarck is well below the national average of 100, offering meaningful savings on everyday expenses. The median home value is $291,400. Median monthly rent is $992. Renters spend 15.7% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Bismarck

The adult obesity rate in Bismarck is 35.2%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 9.4%. Residents average 13.3 poor mental health days per month. North Dakota ranks #18 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Bismarck

Bismarck has a high school graduation rate of 90%. The student-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. Per-pupil spending is $14,559. The city has 29 public schools serving 13,675 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Bismarck

Winters in Bismarck are cold, averaging 18.6°F. Summers average 73°F. Winters average 18.6°F. Annual precipitation is 36.2 inches. The average commute of 14.8 minutes is notably short.

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