City profile · North Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Velva, ND

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

997
Residents
$81,354
Median income
$208,700
Median home
$1,000
Median rent (state)

Velva - the verdict

Nationally, Velva sits in the 63rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

63rd
percentile, household income
45th
percentile, home value
20th
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: Velva, ND

North Dakota's Velva is a small town, with 997 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $81,354 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.2%. Home values in Velva run a median of $208,700, and the median resident age is 35.1 years. Educational attainment runs 20.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Velva (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. NOAA puts Velva's yearly average temperature at 39.3°F with 19.2 inches of precipitation per year and 41.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Dakota scores 89.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,000 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 11.7 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

997 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Dakota

Median Household Income

$81,354 /yr

Poverty 6.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Dakota average

How does Velva compare to other US cities?

Velva measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 63% higher than other cities
Home value 45% pricier than other cities
Median rent 20% 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

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 Velva'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.

63rdIncome percentile

63rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Velva's home value compares nationally

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

$208,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 55% 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%). 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. Velva $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 - Velva, ND Velva, ND's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Velva, 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 Velva, ND median $81,354/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%
Velva, 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 Velva, ND. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.2%

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

Population
997
Median Income
$81,354
Median Home Value
$208,700
Median Age
35.1
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor force participation
65.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%

Climate

Avg Temperature
39.3°F
Annual Precipitation
19.2"
Annual Snowfall
41.0"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,040 residents1,060 residents1,080 residents1,100 residents1,120 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,096 residents 1,046 residents ▼ -4.6%
Velva's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

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

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

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

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.1%
Carpool
1.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
4.8%

Based on 496 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 Velva sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,000/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
11.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Dakota

Enderlin
987 people
Kenmare
1,027 people
Parshall
957 people
Ellendale
946 people
Northwood
941 people
Beach
933 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Velva's 997 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Alakanuk, AK
997 people
Talkeetna, AK
997 people
Blue Lake, CA
997 people
Greeley Hill, CA
997 people
Mapleton, IA
997 people
Galva, KS
997 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Velva's $81,354 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boyden, IA
$81,354 median income
Nassau, NY
$81,359 median income
Preemption, IL
$81,364 median income
Dallas, PA
$81,364 median income
Greenacres, CA
$81,369 median income
Lincoln Park, NY
$81,337 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Velva, 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 Velva, ND - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.8% White 94.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 1.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 3.6% 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 Velva 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
Velva (this city) 997 $81,354
Enderlin 987 $70,625
Kenmare 1,027 $64,167
Parshall 957 $42,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ND NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Velva, ND?

What is the population of Velva, ND? +

Velva, ND has a population of 997 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Velva is $81,354 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Velva? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Velva; 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.

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

A typical home in Velva is worth $208,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Velva? +

The average annual temperature in Velva runs 39.3°F, 19.2 inches of precipitation, and 41.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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