City profile · North Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Northwood, ND

Northwood's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

941
Residents
$76,875
Median income
$200,500
Median home
$965
Median rent (state)
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See how it ranks

State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Northwood.

Place dossier plate

Sheet ND-NORTHWOOD-ND · Northwood, ND 941 pop · income 58th pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-HIGH · COL-BELOW · SAFE-UNK · RANK-MID · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-MID · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 941
  • INC-HIGH $76,875
  • COL-BELOW 89.0
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-MID 58th
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Springtown
  • HOME-MID $200,500
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Springtown, AR (+ $0 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Northwood

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Northwood on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Northwood on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 941.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $76,875. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Northwood - the verdict

Northwood ranks in the 58th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

58th
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Northwood, ND

Northwood is a small town in North Dakota, home to 941 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $76,875 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.3%. Home values in Northwood run a median of $200,500, and the median resident age is 37.7 years. About 33.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Northwood (Low Activity), per Census BPS data.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $965 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Dakota run around $200, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Northwood workers runs 14.2 minutes, with 70.6% driving alone and 0.5% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 22.2 out of 100 (Very Low).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Northwood's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from population change to comparison shortlist to housing and income to work and mobility to schools and households; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Northwood, city-specific coverage includes local building permits, matched public-school count, annual population history, commute-mode shares. No matched row is reported here for FBI reported-crime rates, within-city Census tract profiles; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

Question 1

Is Northwood growing, shrinking, or holding steady?

Census PEP estimates show the population declined by -19 residents from 2020 to 2025, a -1.9% change. Separately, Census BPS recorded 2 housing units authorized in 2024. PEP and ACS are different Census series, so the trend is kept separate from the headline ACS population.

Recent estimates point downward. A falling count can reflect migration, household size, annexation boundaries, or estimation noise, so it is a prompt to inspect the full series rather than a claim about local economic health.

See the national growth ranking →

2. Comparison shortlist

Which cities make useful reference points for Northwood?

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Within North Dakota, the closest population matches are Ellendale (946 residents, $40,000 income); Beach (933 residents, $60,074 income); Fort Totten (930 residents, $28,750 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Odin, IL (941 residents); Oil City, LA (941 residents); Start, LA (941 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

3. Housing and income

How far does income reach against housing in Northwood?

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. Income and home value move within the same broad scale here. The useful next check is not a generic affordability label, but whether similar-size cities offer a materially different income, housing, or commute trade-off.

The home-value-to-income reference sits in a middle range: the ACS median home value is 2.6 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 6.3%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

Compare the housing trade-off →

Question 4

What does the journey to work look like in Northwood?

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 70.6%. The reported mean trip to work is 14.2 minutes.

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. No single mode completely explains the work trip here. The mix is more useful than a one-number commute grade, especially when comparing places where transit, walking, and remote work divide the non-driving share differently.

Compare commute patterns →

Other supported questions

Why these stay compact

These joined records add useful context, but they do not need another full-size panel. Each remains a separate measure with its own geography and source boundary.

Schools and households

What does the education layer cover for Northwood?

The matched institution count is small, so district boundaries and schools outside the city line may matter more than the municipal count suggests. Use the number as a coverage cue, then verify attendance zones with the district before making a household decision.

The NCES join finds 2 public schools within the city match. 33.8% of adults age 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher in the ACS estimate. These measures answer different questions: the school count describes local institutions, while adult attainment describes residents and cannot be used as a school-quality rating.

Poverty estimate
6.3%
Bachelor's degree+
33.8%
Matched public schools
2

NCES Common Core of Data school locations plus Census ACS resident characteristics.

See how the family ranking is built →

Population

941 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$76,875 /yr

Above median income · poverty 6.3% (Below-median poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.0 (US=100)

Affordable · BEA RPP 2024, North Dakota average

City profile score · Northwood, ND

66/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Cost of living A
89.0 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Bachelor's+ share C+
33.8%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Poverty rate C
6.3%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Household income C
$76,875

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Northwood profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Cost of living, Bachelor's+ share, Poverty rate, Household income. Cost of livingBachelor's+ sharePoverty rateHousehold income 66 B-
Northwood profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Cost of living: 89/100 (A) · 89.0 index
  • Bachelor's+ share: 64/100 (C+) · 33.8%
  • Poverty rate: 57/100 (C) · 6.3%
  • Household income: 56/100 (C) · $76,875

How does Northwood compare to other US cities?

Here's how Northwood stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Northwood against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Dakota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Dakota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Northwood near the bottom of North Dakota's cities

Among the 246 North Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Northwood ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Northwood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#79 of 227
65th percentile in North Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 246
0th percentile in North Dakota
Median Home Value
#48 of 226
79th percentile in North Dakota
Poverty Rate
#110 of 246
54th percentile in North Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#34 of 246
86th percentile in North Dakota
How in-state ranks are ordered

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Dakota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

58thIncome percentile
Gauge source note

58th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Northwood's home value compares nationally

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

$200,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $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%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Northwood $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

Northwood's home-value-to-income ratio: 2.6×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
affordable
< 3.0×
National rank
#4,547 of 15,516
More affordable than 71% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#4,044 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 2.6×, Northwood sits in the affordable band: national rank #4,547 of 15,516 and #4,044 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). The multiple is comparatively compact among tracked cities, but a low ratio can still coexist with slow demand or household-level hardship.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$76,875 Northwood, ND median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Northwood, ND Northwood, ND's median household income ($76,875) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Northwood, ND-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Northwood, ND median $76,875/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%
Northwood, ND median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Northwood, ND.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.0%

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

Population
941
Median Income
$76,875
Median Home Value
$200,500
Median Age
37.7
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor force participation
58.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.8%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

PEP vintage

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
940 residents960 residents980 residents1,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 978 residents 959 residents ▼ -1.9%
Northwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.
Read the chart as text
Period Population
2020 978 residents
2021 958 residents
2022 945 residents
2023 944 residents
2024 949 residents
2025 959 residents

Housing Supply

BPS source

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 1
2022 2
2023 1
2024 2

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.2 minutes
Drive Alone
70.6%
Carpool
19.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.1%
Work from Home
0.5%
Other
4.3%

Based on 395 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

North Dakota statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $200

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across North Dakota at $200 (electricity about $90 , water and sewer about $40 ).

These are North Dakota statewide averages, not a meter reading for Northwood. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

North Dakota's BEA cost-of-living index is 89.0 (Well Below Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Northwood is $965/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to North Dakota statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 22.2 / 100 (Very Low).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a North Dakota statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Northwood sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Northwood compares to similar-size North Dakota cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Northwood (this city) 941 $76,875
Ellendale 946 $40,000
Beach 933 $60,074
Fort Totten 930 $28,750
NCES CCD Census BPS 2024
Primary sources on this page

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.

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

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

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.

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