Fessenden, ND

North Dakota

Fessenden is a small town in North Dakota with a population of 477. Residents earn $65,125 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
477 Population 1,084/sq mi density
$65,125 Median Income $37,124 per capita
$73,300 Home Value
$605 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,125 median income, 0.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$73,300 home value, $605/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,125
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $73,300
74% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.8%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $605
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.3%
92% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.1%
22% higher than US avg

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

People

Population477
Median Age42.7 yrs
Density1,084/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,125
Per Capita$37,124
Unemployment0.3%
Poverty15.1%
County GDP$444M
Commute11 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$73,300
Rent$605
OwnershipN/A

Crime

Violent0/100K
Property0/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity37.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain17.3 in/yr
Elevation1,613 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.8%
High School+94.3%
School Score5.74

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute11 min
Libraries1

Is Fessenden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fessenden receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Fessenden offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fessenden is $65,125, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.3%. The poverty rate of 15.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fessenden is $73,300, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $605 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Fessenden 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

19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Fessenden has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.3 inches, including 33.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Fessenden has a population of 477 with a density of 1,084 people per square mile. The median age is 42.7 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.5%).

Population

477
Total Population
1,084
People / sq mi
42.7yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Fessenden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fessenden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fessenden is $65,125, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Fessenden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,125
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,124
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$83,996

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.3%
92% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.1%
22% above US avg
Establishments (County)207
County GDP$444M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare16
Retail26
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.3 min
Work from Home4.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Fessenden is $73,300, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $605 (48% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$73,300
74% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$605
48% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.9%

Property Tax

In Fessenden, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 22.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fessenden vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity22.3%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.5%
Checkup Rate72.0%
Premature Death4,966/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access59.2%
Healthcare Facilities16
Fessenden 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 US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Fessenden vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Fessenden has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average40.9°F
24% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.3 inches
55% below US avg
Snowfall33.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,613 ft (492 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density1,084/sq mi
Coordinates47.6493°N, 99.6270°W
County FIPS38103
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 62.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81%
D 18.1%

Winner: Republican by 62.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.8%
41% below US avg
High School+94.3%
School Test Score5.74
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,084/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities16
Restaurants18
Retail Stores26

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.3 min
Work from Home4.4%

Nearby Cities

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