B-

Ellendale, ND

Source:

Affordability Score: 68/100

Population: 1,965 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Ellendale, ND aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 1,965 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of B- (68/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $69,286, median home value of $164,100, median rent of $757 per month, and 30.7% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $873 per month (studio $725, 1BR $730, 3BR $1,214, 4BR $1,464). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $10,558 per year, consuming 15% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Ellendale, ND include housing, rent. Unemployment currently reads 3.4% and poverty 7.7% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$69,286
Median household income
Education C-
30.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing A-
2.4x
Home value $164,100 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A
$873/mo
2BR fair market rent (15% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare D
$10,558/yr
Center-based infant care (15% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$69,286
▲ 12% vs national
Per Capita Income
$35,644
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Poverty Rate
7.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
$164,100
▼ 40% vs national
Median Rent
$757/mo
Owner Occupied
74.4%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$873/mo
▼ 27% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$725
1BR
$730
2BR
$873
3BR
$1,214
4BR
$1,464

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
30.7%
▲ 1 ppt vs national
High School+
51.0%
Median Age
34.7
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$10,558/yr
15% of income
Toddler (Center)
$9,640/yr
Preschool (Center)
$8,938/yr
School-Age (Center)
$8,751/yr

What This Means

Ellendale, ND receives an overall affordability grade of B- (68/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 1,965. This area performs well in housing and rent. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Ellendale ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Ellendale, ND affordable?
Ellendale, ND receives an overall affordability grade of B- (68/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $69,286. Median home value is $164,100.
What is the cost of living in Ellendale?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $757/mo. 2BR fair market rent $873/mo. Infant childcare $10,558/yr. Median home value $164,100.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →