Valley City, ND

North Dakota

Valley City is a small city in North Dakota with a population of 6,554. Residents earn $56,471 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
6,554 Population 1,524/sq mi density
$56,471 Median Income $35,525 per capita
$152,800 Home Value $197,685 Zillow
$782 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
283 Violent Crime/100K 1,920 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$56,471 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$152,800 home value, $782/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
283 violent crimes/100K (26% below avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,471
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,800
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 283/100K
26% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.0%
11% lower than US avg
Median Rent $782
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.8%
21% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,554
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density1,524/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,471
Per Capita$35,525
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty9.8%
County GDP$853M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$152,800
Rent$782
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$197,685

Crime

F
Violent283/100K
Property1,920/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault164/100K
Burglary357/100K

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain21.5 in/yr
Elevation1,222 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.0%
High School+94.6%
School Score5.74

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute15 min
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Is Valley City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Valley City receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Valley City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Valley City is $56,471, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 9.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Valley City is $152,800, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $782 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Valley City is below the national average at 283 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,920 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

30.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Valley City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Valley City has a population of 6,554 with a density of 1,524 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 2.1% Black.

Population

6,554
Total Population
1,524
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
4.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Valley City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Valley City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Valley City is $56,471, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Valley City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,471
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,525
Avg Weekly Wage$993
IRS Avg AGI$78,727

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.8%
21% below US avg
Establishments (County)458
County GDP$853M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare38
Retail44
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,300
23% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.4 min
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Valley City is $152,800, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $782 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $197,685.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,800
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$197,685

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$782
33% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$763

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,300
23% above US avg
Effective Rate2.81%
In Valley City, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Valley City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate71.3%
Premature Death7,642/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access64.9%
Healthcare Facilities38
Valley City has a violent crime rate of 283 per 100,000 residents, 26% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,920 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent282.7/100K
26% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape89.3/100K
Robbery29.8/100K
Assault163.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,919.6/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary357.1/100K
Theft1,428.6/100K
Vehicle Theft133.9/100K
Arson59.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Valley City has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 21.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-13°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average40.5°F
25% below US avg
January Average8°F (-13°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall21.5 inches
44% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,222 ft (372 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density1,524/sq mi
Coordinates46.9226°N, 98.0041°W
County FIPS38003
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 30.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.7%
D 31.4%

Winner: Republican by 35.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.0%
11% below US avg
High School+94.6%
School Test Score5.74
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,524/sq mi
Total Area4.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities38
Restaurants30
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.4 min
Work from Home2.4%

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