City profile · North Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Grafton, ND

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Grafton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,128
Residents
$60,184
Median income
$153,800
Median home
$873
Median rent (state)

Grafton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Grafton places in the 35th percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
2nd
percentile, median rent
79th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Grafton, ND

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,128 residents in Grafton, a small town within North Dakota. Median household income here is $60,184 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.9%. Typical homes in Grafton are valued around $153,800, and the median resident age is 40.8 years. 18.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Grafton reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 645.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 42.0°F.

Living costs in North Dakota run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Dakota at 89.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $873 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Dakota run around $200, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 29.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

4,128 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Dakota

Median Household Income

$60,184 /yr

Poverty 3.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Dakota average

How does Grafton compare to other US cities?

Where Grafton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 2% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just North Dakota and the picture shifts: Grafton ranks #4 of 21 North Dakota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Grafton's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

35thIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Grafton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Grafton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 66 Avg. percentile National median
Grafton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Grafton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$153,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Grafton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Grafton, ND Grafton, ND's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Grafton, ND-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Grafton, ND median $60,184/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Grafton, ND's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Grafton, ND. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,128
Median Income
$60,184
Median Home Value
$153,800
Median Age
40.8
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Labor force participation
63.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
645.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
49.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
596.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.0°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,000 residents4,050 residents4,100 residents4,150 residents4,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,160 residents 4,023 residents ▼ -3.3%
Grafton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 1
2022 0
2023 1
2024 4

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.4%
Carpool
15.5%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
2.8%
Work from Home
0.8%
Other
1.2%

Based on 2,093 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Dakota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Grafton sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$873/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
29.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Dakota

Horace
3,964 people
Lincoln
4,309 people
Minot AFB
4,904 people
Beulah
3,058 people
New
2,725 people
Casselton
2,640 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Grafton's 4,128 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Brookfield, MO
4,128 people
South Highpoint, FL
4,129 people
Brittany Farms-The Highlands, PA
4,127 people
Dakota Dunes, SD
4,129 people
Hopedale, MA
4,126 people
Bowling Green, MO
4,130 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Grafton's $60,184 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Roseau, MN
$60,185 median income
Orange, TX
$60,183 median income
New Point, IN
$60,179 median income
Bayou Blue, LA
$60,189 median income
Dyer, NV
$60,192 median income
Coraopolis, PA
$60,174 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Grafton, ND Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Grafton, ND - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.5% 8.6% 14.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 23.4% White 73.5% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 1.7% American Indian 1.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.6% Two or more races 14.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Grafton compares to nearby North Dakota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Grafton (this city) 4,128 $60,184
Horace 3,964 $145,801
Lincoln 4,309 $83,387
Minot AFB 4,904 $65,571
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ND FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Grafton, ND?

What is the population of Grafton, ND? +

4,128 people live in Grafton, ND according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Grafton, ND? +

Median annual household income in Grafton runs $60,184, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Grafton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Grafton; the closest available measure is the North Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 89.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Grafton, ND safe? +

Grafton has a total crime rate of 645.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Grafton, ND? +

Grafton's median home value sits at $153,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Grafton? +

Grafton has an average annual temperature of 42.0°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.