County · North Dakota
Wells County, North Dakota
Wells County, North Dakota. Wells County had 3,729 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.3% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. It holds 43 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs, 35 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 38103.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,729
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,982 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,890
Median household income
$66,114
±$8,439 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$114,500
±$10,661 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$648
±$71 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
How many people live in Wells County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,982 residents in Wells County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,729 for July 1, 2025, down 6.3% since 2020, while North Dakota grew 2.6%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,890 over 1,271 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wells County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,890 | 784,841 | −86 |
| Households | 1,787±93 | 331,063 | −156 |
| Average household size | 2.12±0.11 | 2.28 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,209±79 | 377,281 | −213 |
Wells County's population since 2000
From 5,102 in 2000 to 3,729 in 2025: down 26.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Wells County?
Wells County holds 43 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 35 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Harvey with 1,532 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Harvey | 1,650 | $42,697 |
|---|---|---|
| Fessenden | 462 | $65,962 |
| BowdonGEOID 3808580 | 137 | not published |
| SykestonGEOID 3877660 | 105 | $37,422 |
| Forward TownshipGEOID 3810327900 | 105 | $107,500 |
| Wells TownshipGEOID 3810384380 | 82 | $79,722 |
| Western TownshipGEOID 3810384740 | 79 | not published |
| Hillsdale Township, Wells CountyGEOID 3810338220 | 70 | not published |
| HurdsfieldGEOID 3839580 | 64 | $110,250 |
| Sykeston TownshipGEOID 3810377700 | 63 | not published |
| Pony Gulch TownshipGEOID 3810363620 | 63 | not published |
| Heimdal TownshipGEOID 3810337060 | 61 | not published |
| South Cottonwood TownshipGEOID 3810374080 | 56 | $173,456 |
| Bilodeau TownshipGEOID 3810306980 | 54 | not published |
| Bremen TownshipGEOID 3810309260 | 49 | $65,000 |
| West Norway TownshipGEOID 3810385100 | 47 | $51,779 |
| Hamburg Township, Wells CountyGEOID 3810334540 | 47 | $147,969 |
| Norway Lake TownshipGEOID 3810358580 | 46 | $94,688 |
| West Ontario TownshipGEOID 3810385120 | 46 | not published |
| Chaseley TownshipGEOID 3810313740 | 46 | $115,938 |
| Fram TownshipGEOID 3810328060 | 45 | not published |
| Oshkosh TownshipGEOID 3810360020 | 45 | not published |
| Speedwell TownshipGEOID 3810374540 | 43 | not published |
| Haaland TownshipGEOID 3810334100 | 42 | not published |
| Johnson TownshipGEOID 3810340820 | 37 | not published |
| Cathay TownshipGEOID 3810312860 | 36 | $131,250 |
| Bull Moose TownshipGEOID 3810310700 | 36 | not published |
| Fairville TownshipGEOID 3810325500 | 34 | not published |
| St. Anna TownshipGEOID 3810369660 | 34 | not published |
| Manfred TownshipGEOID 3810350060 | 31 | $146,080 |
| Delger TownshipGEOID 3810318860 | 28 | not published |
| Rusland TownshipGEOID 3810369100 | 26 | not published |
| Valhalla TownshipGEOID 3810381060 | 22 | not published |
| Lynn TownshipGEOID 3810348660 | 22 | not published |
| Hawksnest TownshipGEOID 3810336380 | 21 | not published |
| CathayGEOID 3812820 | 20 | not published |
| Germantown TownshipGEOID 3810329980 | 20 | not published |
| Crystal Lake TownshipGEOID 3810317140 | 19 | not published |
| Woodward TownshipGEOID 3810387540 | 18 | not published |
| HeimdalGEOID 3837020 | 16 | $163,000 |
| Silver Lake TownshipGEOID 3810373140 | 15 | not published |
| Progress TownshipGEOID 3810364700 | 13 | not published |
| HambergGEOID 3834460 | 11 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wells County?
The median resident of Wells County is 46.3 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 26.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.5%.
| Measure | Wells County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.3±4.6 | 35.9 | −5.3 |
| Under 18 years | 23.4%±1.8 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.7%±1.6 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.1%±1.5 pts | 81.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±1.2 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±2.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 11.9%±2.2 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.7%±1.5 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3%±2.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.7%±3.2 pts | 32.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.7%±1.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.8%±3.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wells County earn?
Half of Wells County's 1,787 households earn less than $66,114 a year (±$8,439), against $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $70,866 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wells County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,114±$8,439 | $76,657 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $96,130±$11,682 | $101,793 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,681±$5,443 | $43,389 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.1%±2.7 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.0%±5.3 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±1.8 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.3%±3.4 pts | 88.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wells County?
Owners occupy 77.1% of Wells County's occupied homes and renters 22.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,500 by its owner (±$10,661). The median renter pays $648 a month including utilities, and 28.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wells County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $114,500±$10,661 | $249,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $648±$71 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.7%±12.4 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,374±$118 | $1,762 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.1%±4.3 pts | 62.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,209±79 | 377,281 | −213 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.7%±3.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.1%±9.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.5%±4.4 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.6%±2.3 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.8%±3.5 pts | 11.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wells County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Wells County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wells County get to work?
65.0% of Wells County's workers drive alone and 10.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.6 minutes.
| Measure | Wells County | North Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.5%±3.7 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0%±1.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 65.0%±6.0 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1%±3.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±1.0 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 11.2%±3.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.4%±4.5 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.6 min±2.1 | 17.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Wells County's census tracts?
Wells County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,145 (Tract 9598) to $80,096 (Tract 9600).
| Tract 959838103959800 | 1,735±158 | $44,145 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960038103960000 | 2,155±158 | $80,096 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wells County compare with North Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 53 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 53 |
| Median household income | 39th of 53 |
| Median home value | 45th of 53 |
| Median gross rent | 40th of 53 |
| Poverty rate | 34th of 53 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 53 |
| Median age | 18th of 53 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wells County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.