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Des Lacs, ND

North Dakota · Metropolitan Area

Des Lacs is a small town in North Dakota with a population of 161. Residents earn $66,750 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
161 Population 298/sq mi density
$66,750 Median Income $48,273 per capita
$133,300 Home Value
42°F Avg Temperature 274 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$66,750 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$133,300 home value
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,750
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $133,300
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.0%
64% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.1%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.6%
95% lower than US avg

How Des Lacs Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population161
Median Age49.5 yrs
Density298/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans6.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,750
Per Capita$48,273
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.6%
County GDP$5,094M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$133,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units95
Rent Burden24.0%

Health

Obesity33.1%
Uninsured6.8%
Smoking12.5%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain17.6 in/yr
Sunny Days274/yr
Elevation1,935 ft (590 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.0%
High School+82.1%
Graduate+4.9%
School Score5.74

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute25 min
Broadband78.0%
Libraries4

Is Des Lacs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Des Lacs receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Des Lacs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Des Lacs is $66,750, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Des Lacs is $133,300, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Des Lacs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 274 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 17.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Des Lacs has a population of 161 with a density of 298 people per square mile. The median age is 49.5 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.5%).

Population

161
Total Population
298
People / sq mi
49.5yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 62.1%
Female 37.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Des Lacs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Des Lacs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Des Lacs is $66,750, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Des Lacs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,750
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$48,273
Avg Weekly Wage$1,163
IRS Avg AGI$79,981

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.6%
95% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,723
County GDP$5,094M

Business (County)

Restaurants176
Healthcare196
Retail284
Manufacturing42

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,178
77% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Drive Alone71.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Des Lacs is $133,300, 53% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$133,300
53% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden24.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$769
1 Bedroom$795
2 Bedrooms$965
3 Bedrooms$1,297
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied97.4%
Housing Units95
Median Year Built1976

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,178
77% above US avg
Effective Rate4.63%
In Des Lacs, 33.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.8% of residents lack health insurance. 12.5% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 20.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Des Lacs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.1%
3% above US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.7%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.5%
11% below US avg
Binge Drinking23.4%
Physical Inactivity20.8%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress14.3%
Physical Distress10.4%
Short Sleep37.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.5%
Uninsured6.8%
21% below US avg
Checkup Rate71.8%
Dental Visits69.1%
Premature Death7,781/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access79.5%
Healthcare Facilities196
Des Lacs has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.6 inches. The area enjoys 274 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.2°F
22% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.6 inches
54% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,935 ft (590 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density298/sq mi
Coordinates48.2569°N, 101.5637°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS38101
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin. 78.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.9%
D 25.5%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.0%
64% below US avg
High School+82.1%
Graduate Degree+4.9%
School Test Score5.74
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density298/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities196
Restaurants176
Retail Stores284

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Drive Alone71.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.9%

Nearby Cities

Burlington, ND 1,169 pop · 6.9 mi Minot, ND 47,922 pop · 13.2 mi Minot AFB, ND 4,904 pop · 15.3 mi Surrey, ND 1,672 pop · 20.1 mi Kenmare, ND 1,027 pop · 37.0 mi Stanley, ND 2,089 pop · 38.5 mi Garrison, ND 1,456 pop · 42.2 mi New Town, ND 2,725 pop · 46.5 mi Tioga, ND 1,525 pop · 64.1 mi Carnduff, SK 1,150 pop · 64.2 mi Bottineau, ND 2,063 pop · 64.6 mi Hazen, ND 2,509 pop · 66.3 mi Beulah, ND 3,058 pop · 69.1 mi Washburn, ND 1,434 pop · 71.0 mi
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