North Dakota property taxes by county
Across North Dakota, the median owner-occupied home pays $2,468 a year in real-estate taxes on a median home value of $249,900 — an effective property-tax rate of 0.988%. That ranks North Dakota #21 of 51 states and the District of Columbia (1 = highest). This page carries all 53 North Dakota county-equivalents in the Census data — 53 with a published effective rate — sortable by rate, taxes paid, home value, income, or five-year change. 1 of them also carry a full detail card here — every median with its Census margin of error, both rankings, the six nearest counties, and the five-year change. It also sets out how property tax actually works in North Dakota: how property is assessed, which exemptions exist and who qualifies, the deadline and body for an appeal, and the payment schedule and penalties — each hand-sourced from official North Dakota sources. Figures are U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates.
- Effective tax rate
- 0.988%
- Median real-estate taxes
- $2,468 ± $38
- Median home value
- $249,900
- Median household income
- $76,657
- National rank
- #21 of 51
- County-equivalents
- 53
Median real-estate taxes ÷ median home value — a ratio of two independently-estimated medians, not a statutory (millage) rate.
How property tax varies across North Dakota
Across North Dakota's 53 county-equivalents with a published rate, the effective property-tax rate runs from 1.340% in Cavalier County down to 0.228% in Slope County — a 5.9× spread inside a single state, which is why a statewide average tells a buyer very little.
The largest median real-estate tax bill in North Dakota is $3,564 in Cass County, which ranks #2 of 53 by RATE — while the state's highest rate, 1.340%, is in Cavalier County, where the median bill is $1,686. Dollars and rate are different questions and rank counties differently.
Measured against the national median effective rate of 0.937%, 26 of North Dakota's 53 ranked counties sit above it and 27 below. North Dakota as a whole ranks #21 of 51 (1 = highest).
Median home value statewide is $249,900, but within North Dakota it ranges from $349,600 in McKenzie County to $84,200 in McIntosh County — the denominator of the effective rate, and the main reason two counties with similar bills can show very different rates.
Statewide, the median real-estate tax bill equals about 3.2% of median household income. That share is heaviest in Cass County (4.7%) and lightest in Slope County (0.5%).
Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, median real-estate taxes rose by a statistically significant amount in 36 of North Dakota's 53 counties with a comparable trend, fell significantly in 0, and showed no statistically significant change in 17.
Estimate a North Dakota property tax bill
A median-based estimate, not a quote, an assessment, or a tax bill — it cannot know your assessed value, exemptions, or special districts. How this is computed.
Every North Dakota county
All 53 North Dakota county-equivalents in the Census data (53 with a published effective rate). Click a column heading to sort. Counties in bold have a full detail card further down this page — margins of error, nearby counties, and their five-year trend.
| Cavalier County | 1.340% | $1,686 | $1,817 | $1,601 | $125,800 | $69,531 | 2.4% | #1 | #542 | +75.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | 1.196% | $3,564 | $3,627 | $3,434 | $298,000 | $75,555 | 4.7% | #2 | #740 | +29.2% |
| Foster County | 1.189% | $1,991 | $2,011 | $1,977 | $167,500 | $87,831 | 2.3% | #3 | #748 | +31.1% |
| Grand Forks County | 1.148% | $2,900 | $3,005 | $2,706 | $252,700 | $68,075 | 4.3% | #4 | #815 | +18% |
| Richland County | 1.125% | $2,066 | $2,213 | $1,931 | $183,600 | $75,432 | 2.7% | #5 | #856 | +28.2% |
| Sargent County | 1.120% | $1,828 | $1,995 | $1,652 | $163,200 | $77,946 | 2.4% | #6 | #862 | +37% |
| Hettinger County | 1.115% | $1,308 | $1,355 | $1,280 | $117,300 | $73,026 | 1.8% | #7 | #873 | +23.2% |
| Mercer County | 1.100% | $2,184 | $2,324 | $2,063 | $198,500 | $80,946 | 2.7% | #8 | #901 | +39.6% |
| Stutsman County | 1.098% | $2,289 | $2,459 | $2,039 | $208,400 | $61,856 | 3.7% | #9 | #905 | +32.2% |
| Pierce County | 1.089% | $1,604 | $1,434 | $1,724 | $147,300 | $59,365 | 2.7% | #10 | #925 | +19.8% |
| McIntosh County | 1.084% | $913 | $1,188 | $806 | $84,200 | $64,419 | 1.4% | #11 | #936 | +30.6% |
| Walsh County | 1.071% | $1,421 | $1,613 | $1,272 | $132,700 | $71,944 | 2.0% | #12 | #961 | +56.3% |
| Ward County | 1.070% | $2,859 | $2,954 | $2,656 | $267,100 | $78,238 | 3.6% | #13 | #962 | +32.4% |
| Barnes County | 1.034% | $1,796 | $2,012 | $1,615 | $173,700 | $68,038 | 2.6% | #14 | #1035 | +30.2% |
| Traill County | 1.034% | $2,075 | $2,229 | $1,864 | $200,700 | $87,004 | 2.4% | #15 | #1036 | +55% |
| Morton County | 1.018% | $2,686 | $2,960 | $2,314 | $263,900 | $79,382 | 3.4% | #16 | #1071 | +28.5% |
| Ransom County | 1.015% | $1,959 | $2,130 | $1,782 | $193,000 | $75,736 | 2.6% | #17 | #1077 | +42.3% |
| LaMoure County | 1.013% | $1,187 | $1,183 | $1,190 | $117,200 | $80,664 | 1.5% | #18 | #1080 | +15.4% |
| Pembina County | 1.011% | $1,205 | $1,387 | $1,093 | $119,200 | $68,393 | 1.8% | #20 | #1086 | +14.3% |
| Steele County | 1.011% | $1,322 | $1,500 | $1,189 | $130,700 | $77,500 | 1.7% | #19 | #1084 | +42.8% |
| Adams County | 0.998% | $1,130 | $1,343 | $991 | $113,200 | $62,500 | 1.8% | #21 | #1124 | +11.3% |
| Eddy County | 0.998% | $1,237 | $1,297 | $1,194 | $124,000 | $50,850 | 2.4% | #23 | #1128 | +51.2% |
| Logan County | 0.998% | $1,018 | $1,130 | $933 | $102,000 | $62,750 | 1.6% | #22 | #1126 | +27.4% |
| Ramsey County | 0.991% | $1,976 | $2,072 | $1,903 | $199,300 | $61,006 | 3.2% | #24 | #1148 | +41.5% |
| Wells County | 0.977% | $1,119 | $1,383 | $1,001 | $114,500 | $66,114 | 1.7% | #25 | #1185 | −1.9% |
| Rolette County | 0.941% | $977 | $1,140 | $833 | $103,800 | $59,517 | 1.6% | #26 | #1259 | +25.4% |
| Dickey County | 0.916% | $1,488 | $1,631 | $1,396 | $162,400 | $68,654 | 2.2% | #27 | #1311 | +12.2% |
| Griggs County | 0.909% | $1,084 | $1,216 | $1,019 | $119,300 | $61,711 | 1.8% | #28 | #1325 | +5.3% |
| Benson County | 0.908% | $817 | $1,409 | $537 | $90,000 | $64,033 | 1.3% | #29 | #1330 | +15.7% |
| Emmons County | 0.907% | $1,063 | $1,031 | $1,069 | $117,200 | $66,538 | 1.6% | #30 | #1333 | +13% |
| Grant County | 0.907% | $845 | $1,196 | $678 | $93,200 | $57,875 | 1.5% | #31 | #1335 | +18.3% |
| Golden Valley County | 0.891% | $1,104 | $1,492 | $1,000 | $123,900 | $68,021 | 1.6% | #32 | #1373 | +28.4% |
| Stark County | 0.887% | $2,411 | $2,531 | $2,256 | $271,700 | $84,449 | 2.9% | #33 | #1380 | +24.1% |
| Burleigh County | 0.884% | $2,863 | $3,018 | $2,676 | $324,000 | $86,851 | 3.3% | #34 | #1391 | +22.4% |
| Towner County | 0.877% | $1,182 | $1,057 | $1,200 | $134,800 | $67,350 | 1.8% | #35 | #1404 | +68.6% |
| McLean County | 0.759% | $1,724 | $1,812 | $1,625 | $227,100 | $83,583 | 2.1% | #36 | #1702 | +36.2% |
| Nelson County | 0.747% | $1,044 | $1,214 | $953 | $139,700 | $67,193 | 1.6% | #37 | #1736 | +76.9% |
| Bowman County | 0.727% | $1,199 | $1,295 | $1,124 | $164,900 | $72,109 | 1.7% | #38 | #1802 | +8.2% |
| Bottineau County | 0.721% | $1,393 | $1,375 | $1,413 | $193,200 | $85,000 | 1.6% | #39 | #1822 | +29.1% |
| Sheridan County | 0.702% | $774 | $914 | $643 | $110,300 | $62,639 | 1.2% | #40 | #1886 | +31% |
| Williams County | 0.681% | $1,939 | $2,092 | $1,790 | $284,800 | $85,595 | 2.3% | #41 | #1953 | +10.3% |
| Renville County | 0.680% | $1,128 | $1,256 | $1,013 | $166,000 | $74,301 | 1.5% | #42 | #1961 | +1.9% |
| McHenry County | 0.658% | $994 | $1,234 | $878 | $151,000 | $80,733 | 1.2% | #43 | #2043 | +25.5% |
| Oliver County | 0.623% | $1,343 | $1,403 | $1,283 | $215,700 | $77,240 | 1.7% | #44 | #2168 | +16.3% |
| Dunn County | 0.605% | $1,665 | $1,746 | $1,630 | $275,000 | $97,689 | 1.7% | #45 | #2240 | +51.8% |
| Divide County | 0.600% | $1,006 | $2,026 | $783 | $167,600 | $91,852 | 1.1% | #46 | #2267 | +28% |
| Kidder County | 0.577% | $903 | $1,063 | $797 | $156,600 | $65,610 | 1.4% | #47 | #2347 | +50.5% |
| Burke County | 0.535% | $846 | $890 | $788 | $158,100 | $91,591 | 0.9% | #48 | #2516 | +24% |
| Mountrail County | 0.520% | $1,209 | $1,572 | $969 | $232,700 | $80,717 | 1.5% | #49 | #2580 | +15.4% |
| Sioux County | 0.492% | $420 | $1,528 | $298 | $85,400 | $42,083 | 1.0% | #50 | #2657 | +32.5% |
| McKenzie County | 0.426% | $1,491 | $2,078 | $1,090 | $349,600 | $93,404 | 1.6% | #51 | #2863 | +15.3% |
| Billings County | 0.366% | $1,211 | $1,385 | — | $331,000 | $86,806 | 1.4% | #52 | #2982 | +16% |
| Slope County | 0.228% | $387 | $364 | $500 | $170,000 | $71,250 | 0.5% | #53 | #3121 | −36.2% |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-year estimates — tables B25103 (real-estate taxes), B25077 (home value), B19013 (household income) — and the 2024 Census county gazetteer. Public domain (Title 17 U.S.C. §105).
County detail — 1 North Dakota county in depth
Full figures for the North Dakota counties most searched for, each with the Census margin of error on every median, both rankings, the five-year change, and the six nearest county-equivalents by centroid distance — nearby, not necessarily bordering, and cross-state neighbours included. For any individual property's assessed value, exemptions and bill, use that county's own assessor or appraisal district; per-county assessor URLs are never guessed here (why).
Burleigh County 0.884% · median tax $2,863 · #1391 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $2,863 ± $72
- With a mortgage
- $3,018 ± $117
- Without a mortgage
- $2,676 ± $113
- Median home value
- $324,000 ± $7,440
- Median household income
- $86,851 ± $3,728
- Taxes as share of income
- 3.3%
- Effective rate
- 0.884%
- Rank in North Dakota
- #34 of 53
- National rank
- #1391 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $325,000 home
- $2,873
Median real-estate taxes rose 22.4% over five years ($2,339 → $2,863) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The change in the effective tax rate (0.887% → 0.884%) is not statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $263,600 → $324,000 (+22.9%), and the rate changed −0.004 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Burleigh County:
- Kidder County, ND — 0.577%, median tax $903, 56 km away
- Oliver County, ND — 0.623%, median tax $1,343, 67 km away
- Sheridan County, ND — 0.702%, median tax $774, 68 km away
- Morton County, ND — 1.018%, median tax $2,686, 71 km away
- Emmons County, ND — 0.907%, median tax $1,063, 79 km away
- Wells County, ND — 0.977%, median tax $1,119, 90 km away
Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 — consecutive 5-year estimates share survey sample and are never compared here.
How property tax works in North Dakota
Assessment, exemptions, appeals and payment are set by North Dakota law and practice, so they apply to every county in the table above. Each fact is taken from an official government source and linked to it.
- How property is assessed
- Local assessors value real property at market value, and assessed value of all real property equals 50% of market value. Counties determine and collect the tax. Buildings are classified residential, commercial or agricultural; agricultural land is assessed from soil type and soil classification data and actual use rather than sales. Railroads, pipelines, utilities and airlines are centrally assessed by the State Tax Commissioner's property tax division. source →
- Exemptions & credits
- The Homestead Property Tax Credit is for owners 65 or older, or with a permanent and total disability, whose income including spouse and dependents does not exceed $70,000. Income of $0 to $40,000 reduces taxable value 100%, capped at $9,000 of taxable value or $200,000 of true and full value; income of $40,001 to $70,000 reduces it 50%, capped at $4,500. Applications are due April 1. source →
- Appealing an assessment
- The State Board of Equalization meets the second Tuesday in August to examine and equalize locally assessed property; individual taxpayers who want to appeal an assessment may speak there and present written material or photographs. Appeals are filed through the Tax Commissioner's Property Tax division and require a completed questionnaire plus other evidence. Railroad and utility valuations are heard the second Tuesday in July. source →
- Payment schedule & penalties
- Real property tax is due January 1 following the year of assessment and is payable without penalty until March 1. A 5% discount is allowed for taxes paid in full by February 15. Mobile home tax is due in January, or 10 days after the home is purchased or moved into the state, with the same 5% discount for full payment by February 15 or within 30 days. source →
- Why rates vary within the state
- Residential taxable value is calculated at 4.5% of true and full value, and the bill is that figure multiplied by the total mills levied, where a mill is one tenth of one percent. Mills accumulate from separate taxing authorities including the county, city, township, school board, park board and any other entity authorized to levy property taxes, so totals differ parcel by parcel. source →
- What makes this state's system distinctive
- The Primary Residence Credit is a state property tax credit any North Dakota homeowner may apply for annually through the Office of State Tax Commissioner, worth up to $1,600 against the tax owed and never more than the tax due. There are no age restrictions and no income limitations, homes held in trusts qualify, and only one credit is available per household. source →
Hand-sourced from official government sources — not a substitute for your own assessor's notice, and not legal or tax advice. Where a fact isn't confirmed on an official source, it is left off rather than guessed, which is why some states show fewer rows than others.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average property tax rate in North Dakota?
- Statewide, North Dakota's effective property-tax rate is 0.988% — the state median real-estate taxes ($2,468) divided by the state median home value ($249,900), from the Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. The national figure is about 0.937%, which puts North Dakota at #21 of 51 (1 = highest). Individual counties vary widely; the table above shows every one.
- Which North Dakota county has the highest property taxes?
- By effective rate, Cavalier County is highest in North Dakota at 1.340% (median bill $1,686), and Slope County is lowest at 0.228% (median bill $387). Ranked by dollars paid rather than rate the order changes, because home values differ so much across the state — the table above shows both columns and sorts on either.
- What property tax exemptions are available in North Dakota?
- The Homestead Property Tax Credit is for owners 65 or older, or with a permanent and total disability, whose income including spouse and dependents does not exceed $70,000. Income of $0 to $40,000 reduces taxable value 100%, capped at $9,000 of taxable value or $200,000 of true and full value; income of $40,001 to $70,000 reduces it 50%, capped at $4,500. Applications are due April 1. Eligibility and filing are handled by your county assessor, and the exemption you qualify for changes your bill far more than the county you are in — the rates above are county medians and do not account for any exemption.
- How do I appeal a property tax assessment in North Dakota?
- The State Board of Equalization meets the second Tuesday in August to examine and equalize locally assessed property; individual taxpayers who want to appeal an assessment may speak there and present written material or photographs. Appeals are filed through the Tax Commissioner's Property Tax division and require a completed questionnaire plus other evidence. Railroad and utility valuations are heard the second Tuesday in July. Missing the deadline usually means waiting a full year, so check the date on your own assessment notice rather than relying on a general figure.
- When are property taxes due in North Dakota?
- Real property tax is due January 1 following the year of assessment and is payable without penalty until March 1. A 5% discount is allowed for taxes paid in full by February 15. Mobile home tax is due in January, or 10 days after the home is purchased or moved into the state, with the same 5% discount for full payment by February 15 or within 30 days. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account, your servicer pays on this schedule on your behalf.
- How is property assessed in North Dakota?
- Local assessors value real property at market value, and assessed value of all real property equals 50% of market value. Counties determine and collect the tax. Buildings are classified residential, commercial or agricultural; agricultural land is assessed from soil type and soil classification data and actual use rather than sales. Railroads, pipelines, utilities and airlines are centrally assessed by the State Tax Commissioner's property tax division. This is why an effective rate computed from market value — as every rate on this page is — will not match the millage rate printed on your bill: the two are applied to different bases.
Compare & explore
See the national highest and lowest property-tax rates, or read the methodology behind every figure. The national median effective rate is 0.937%; North Dakota's statewide figure is 0.988%.