Violent Crime
0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
16.7%
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
How Cathay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population22
Median Age32.5 yrs
Density122/mi²
Male / Female23% / 77%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans12.0%
Economy
Per Capita$13,295
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$444M
Housing
Ownership75.0%
Zillow$197,375
Housing Units12
Rent Burden28.4%
Crime
Violent0/100K
Property0/100K
Health
Obesity37.4%
Smoking14.7%
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
Climate
Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain20.8 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,582 ft (482 m)
Education
C
Bachelor's+16.7%
High School+91.7%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.12
Community
2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Broadband8.0%
Libraries1
Is Cathay a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Cathay receives an overall livability score of 2.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Cathay has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.
Safety & Crime
Cathay is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents / well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 0 per 100,000, 100% below the national average.
Education
16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.
Climate & Weather
Cathay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 20.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.
Cathay has a population of 22 with a density of 122 people per square mile, spread across 0.2 square miles. The median age is 32.5 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 77.3% female and 22.7% male. The city is predominantly White (95.5%), with 4.5% Hispanic. English is the primary language spoken at home by 100% of residents. 12.0% of the population are veterans, above the national rate of 6.0%. 22.7% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 100.0% have health insurance coverage.
Population
32.5yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish
0.0%
100% below US avg
Per capita income is $13,295 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $961, 33% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 207 business establishments, including 18 restaurants. The cost of living index is 89, below the national baseline of 100 / offering relatively affordable living. 0.0% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).
Income
| |
| Per Capita Income | $13,295 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $961 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $83,996 |
| Gini Index | 0.505 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 207 |
| County GDP | $444M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 18 |
| Healthcare | 16 |
| Retail | 26 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| |
| Cost of Living | 89.00 (100=avg) |
Commute & Transportation
| Drive Alone | 100.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
Zillow estimates the typical home value at $197,375. Fair market rent ranges from $795 for a one-bedroom to $965 for a two-bedroom apartment. 75.0% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 12 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1938. 28.4% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing.
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $769 |
| 1 Bedroom | $795 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $965 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,297 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,588 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 75.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 75.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 25.0% |
| Housing Units | 12 |
| Median Year Built | 1938 |
Property Tax
In Cathay, 37.4% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 8.8% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 5.5% of residents. 29.1% have high blood pressure. 14.7% are current smokers. 22.0% report binge drinking. 22.3% are physically inactive. 22.9% report depression. 16.3% experience frequent mental distress. The primary care physician ratio is 1:781. The dentist ratio is 1:983. 59.2% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 8.5 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Cathay vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 37.4% |
| 17% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 8.8% |
| Heart Disease | 5.5% |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.1% |
| Asthma | 10.8% |
| COPD | 5.9% |
| Cancer | 7.4% |
| Stroke | 2.8% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 14.7% |
| 5% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 22.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.3% |
| Depression | 22.9% |
| Mental Distress | 16.3% |
| Physical Distress | 11.7% |
| Short Sleep | 33.1% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 100.0% |
| |
| Primary Care | 1:781 |
| Dentists | 1:983 |
| Checkup Rate | 73.1% |
| Dental Visits | 59.3% |
| Premature Death | 4,966/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 8.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 59.2% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 16 |
Cathay has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 0 per 100,000, 100% below the U.S. average.
Crime Rates: Cathay vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg |
| |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg |
Traffic Safety
| Traffic Accidents | 1 |
| Avg Accident Severity | 2.0 / 4.0 |
Safety Score
Cathay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. The area gets 276 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 20.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,582 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-13°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 40.6°F |
| 25% below US avg |
| January Average | 8°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,582 ft (482 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 122/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.5539°N, 99.4113°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Wells County County |
| Nearest Airport | Devils Lake Regional (DVL)
45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
20.8"
45% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)
3.43"
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 8.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Very Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind |
Very Low |
| Heat Wave |
Very Low |
| Winter Weather |
Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Relatively Low |
| Drought |
Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide |
Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
317 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 38 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| Aug 11, 2002 |
EF4 |
68 km |
0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 |
EF4 |
99 km |
1 |
| Jul 18, 2001 |
EF3 |
73 km |
0 |
| Aug 23, 1968 |
EF3 |
85 km |
0 |
| May 30, 1958 |
EF3 |
51 km |
0 |
| Jul 16, 1957 |
EF3 |
97 km |
0 |
| Jun 15, 1952 |
EF3 |
20 km |
0 |
| Jul 4, 2018 |
EF2 |
60 km |
0 |
| Jun 9, 2017 |
EF2 |
82 km |
0 |
| Aug 3, 2016 |
EF2 |
48 km |
0 |
| May 19, 2004 |
EF2 |
74 km |
0 |
| Aug 8, 2001 |
EF2 |
49 km |
0 |
| Aug 8, 2001 |
EF2 |
51 km |
0 |
| Jul 17, 2001 |
EF2 |
51 km |
0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 |
EF2 |
89 km |
0 |
| Jun 15, 1986 |
EF2 |
93 km |
0 |
| May 30, 1985 |
EF2 |
76 km |
0 |
| Jun 12, 1976 |
EF2 |
73 km |
0 |
| Aug 14, 1974 |
EF2 |
78 km |
0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 |
EF2 |
21 km |
0 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: CHICAGOLAKE (4,606 ac, 1994).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 1994 |
CHICAGOLAKE |
4,606 |
58 km |
| 2008 |
GRADER |
1,745 |
32 km |
| 2006 |
BROWN WF |
1,430 |
55 km |
| 1985 |
CHASE LAKE |
1,215 |
61 km |
| 2018 |
EAST JIM LAKE |
1,214 |
59 km |
| 1985 |
LAKE ALICE |
1,214 |
89 km |
| 2006 |
RICE LAKE 1 |
1,150 |
92 km |
| 2017 |
NDAWR FY17 RX G10 11 12 D5 |
1,148 |
55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
8°F (-13°C) |
0.6 in |
Coldest |
| February |
13°F (-11°C) |
0.4 in |
Driest |
| March |
25°F (-4°C) |
0.8 in |
|
| April |
41°F (5°C) |
1.6 in |
|
| May |
55°F (13°C) |
2.2 in |
|
| June |
64°F (18°C) |
3.4 in |
Wettest |
| July |
70°F (21°C) |
2.7 in |
Warmest |
| August |
67°F (19°C) |
2.0 in |
|
| September |
57°F (14°C) |
1.8 in |
|
| October |
45°F (7°C) |
1.1 in |
|
| November |
28°F (-2°C) |
0.6 in |
|
| December |
14°F (-10°C) |
0.5 in |
|
Cathay has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 8°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.4").
Average costs for common services in Cathay. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$223 ($134-$356) |
| Specialist Visit |
$312 ($178-$490) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$178 ($89-$312) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$1,958 ($712-$4,450) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$116 ($67-$178) |
| Dental Filling |
$223 ($134-$356) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$40 ($22-$67) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$67 ($45-$107) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$267 ($134-$445) |
| Tire Rotation |
$36 ($18-$67) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$534 ($356-$890) |
| Battery Replacement |
$178 ($89-$312) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$89 ($53-$134) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$80 ($45-$125) |
| HVAC Repair |
$356 ($134-$712) |
| HVAC System Install |
$6,230 ($3,560-$10,680) |
| Roof Repair |
$890 ($356-$1,780) |
| Roof Replacement |
$8,010 ($4,895-$13,350) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,335 ($445-$3,115) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$13,350 ($4,450-$26,700) |
| DUI Defense |
$4,450 ($1,780-$8,900) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,335 ($712-$2,670) |
| Will Preparation |
$445 ($178-$890) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,225 ($890-$4,450) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$22 ($13-$40) |
| Women's Haircut |
$49 ($27-$89) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$134 ($67-$223) |
| Manicure |
$22 ($13-$40) |
| Pedicure |
$36 ($22-$58) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$71 ($45-$116) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$3.65 ($2.67-$4.90) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.12 ($2.23-$4.45) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.38 ($2.23-$4.90) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$4.01 ($2.67-$5.79) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$4.90 ($3.56-$6.68) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$0.89 ($0.53-$1.60) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$125 ($71-$223) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$62 ($27-$134) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$62 ($36-$107) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$62 ($36-$89) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$58 ($27-$89) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$76 ($45-$134) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$178 ($67-$445) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$1,780 ($1,068-$3,115) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$62 ($27-$116) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$13 ($7.12-$22) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$89 ($27-$223) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$27 ($13-$67) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,068 ($534-$2,225) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$890 ($445-$1,780) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$356 ($178-$623) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$45 ($22-$89) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$890 ($356-$2,225) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$11,125 ($4,450-$26,700) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$53 ($27-$89) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$89 ($45-$178) |
| Dog Grooming |
$53 ($27-$89) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$36 ($18-$67) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$267 ($134-$445) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$178 ($89-$356) |
View all 9 services
Childcare
| Center-Based (monthly) |
| Infant | $861 |
| Toddler | $787 |
| Preschool | $729 |
| Family Childcare (monthly) |
| Infant | $633 |
| Toddler | $598 |
| Preschool | $601 |
Source: DOL Women's Bureau (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions About Cathay
What is the population of Cathay?
Cathay has a population of 22 residents and is located in North Dakota. The population density is 122 people per square mile, spread across 0.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 32.5 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 77.3% female and 22.7% male.
Is Cathay expensive to live in?
Cathay is more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 89 / below the baseline of 100.
Is Cathay safe?
Cathay is considered a very safe city with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 0 per 100,000 (below the national average).
What is the weather like in Cathay?
Cathay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winter temperatures average 8°F in January, while summers reach an average of 70°F in July. The area receives 276 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 20.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 38.
How is the job market in Cathay?
The job market in Cathay is very strong, with unemployment at just 0.0% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $961. There are 207 business establishments in the area, including 18 restaurants and food service locations.
How are the schools in Cathay?
Schools in Cathay score 6.1 out of 10 on standardized testing, near the national average. 16.7% of adults in Cathay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Cathay?
The obesity rate in Cathay is 37.4% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 14.7% of adults are smokers. 22.3% are physically inactive. 22.9% of residents report depression. 59.2% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:781.
What are the demographics of Cathay?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Cathay is 95.5% White, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino. 100% of residents speak only English at home. 12.0% of the population are military veterans. 22.7% of residents have a disability. 100.0% have health insurance coverage.
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