The time has come for us to present you with the 10 best places to retire in North Dakota. Although this is one of the least populous states in the country, having only 13 cities with a population over 5,000, things could soon change thanks to the recently discovered natural resources.
North Dakota is situated on the border with Canada in the region known as Great Plains. This, of course, means that if you like mountains, you won’t see them that much in North Dakota. The geographic position of North Dakota affects the states’ climate in a great manner. Being almost equally distanced from the North Pole and the Equator, North Dakota has a continental climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters. The warmest month is July with temperature averaging 82F (28C), while January is the coldest month with average temperatures of 22 F (–5C). This, however, doesn’t have to be definitive since the state is extensive and lots of temperature variations can be found.
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This state has relied on agriculture for the most of its time, with agriculture being the biggest industry in North Dakota in the present time as well. Because of this fact, the state started losing its population from the 1930’s to the end of the 20th century. The young, college-educated part of the population couldn’t find the job in their field, so they started going elsewhere. The trend of population decline changed during the 21st century, due to discovered oil reserves that caused the oil industry to bloom and more jobs to be available. One thing that North Dakota can be proud of is the fact that it has an unemployment rate of 2.6%, one of the lowest in the nation.
To begin our search for the best places to retire in North Dakota we used all of the state’s places with a population greater than 5,000. We checked how each of those places stands when it comes to these 4 factors – the number of physicians per capita (100,000), the crime rates, the number of residents aged 65 years and over, and the cost of living. The data were taken from Sperling’s Best Places and U.S. Census, and we calculated the average ranking for each place, thus making our unique list of the best places for retirees in North Dakota. Before you begin with this list, you may want to check out the best retiring places in Nebraska as well.
10. Dickinson
Retirement Score: 24
Cost of Living: 15% more expensive than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 124
Crime Rates: 42,2
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 16,1%
The oil boom we talked about in the intro has done wonders for Dickinson. The city has become one of the fastest growing in the entire country seeing 33% population growth from 2010 to 2015. Besides positive effects, the city’s growth had some negative consequences like crime increase and increase in homelessness.
9. Fargo
Retirement Score: 25
Cost of Living: 2% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 335
Crime Rates: 48,2
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 10,1%
Fargo is the top pick for those who want to be close to major happenings. It is the most populous city in the entire state, being a home for 15% of the entire North Dakota population.
8. Grand Forks
Retirement Score: 27
Cost of Living: 1% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 386
Crime Rates: 45,3
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 10,1%
Located along the Red River of the North, Grand Forks is a city with lots of perks for its residents. The city is filled with green surfaces, recreational centers, golf courts and cultural events through the whole year.
7. Wahpeton
Retirement Score: 29
Cost of Living: 12% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 116
Crime Rates: 36,2
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 12,6%
This small city on the southeast corner of the state is the perfect choice for people who appreciate strong communities. From golf courses and recreational centers to museums and zoo, Wahpeton really offers it all.
6. Jamestown
Retirement Score: 30
Cost of Living: 12% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 128
Crime Rates:
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 15%
Anyone who enjoys in outdoor activities will be tempted to spend its retirement days in Jamestown. The city is known for being an ideal place for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
5. Bismarck
Retirement Score: 31
Cost of Living: 12% more expensive than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 397
Crime Rates: 46,4
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 15,4%
If you retire in Bismarck, the one thing you won’t have to worry is the health care. Being the capital of North Dakota, Bismarck has numerous perks like having the most physicians per capita among our 10 best places to retire in North Dakota and a state of the art health care system.
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4. Minot
Retirement Score: 32
Cost of Living: 10% more expensive than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 277
Crime Rates: 42,3
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 15%
Minot is considered a true arts community. The city is a home to numerous art museums, opera, dance troops and orchestras.
3. Devils Lake
Retirement Score: 33
Cost of Living: 16% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 192
Crime Rates: 56
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 19,2%
Want to spend your retirement days fishing? Then look no further than Devils Lake. This city is named after the nearby lake that has been ranked among the top five lakes for fishing in the entire US.
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2. West Fargo
Retirement Score: 35
Cost of Living: 2% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 335
Crime Rates: 36,6
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 7,8%
West Fargo is a quieter and smaller version of Fargo. You will get all the benefits of small cities and large towns in one. The city is a fast growing one and invests significantly in its infrastructure.
1. Valley City
Retirement Score: 41
Cost of Living: 16% cheaper than U.S. average
Physicians per Capita: 99
Crime Rates: 24,8
Residents Aged 65 and Over: 22%
Valley City is the cheapest, safest and the city with the largest percentage of the senior population from all of our 10 best places to retire in North Dakota. What more can a retiree ask for? Valley City offers lots of events and activities through the whole year with the most famous being the North Dakota Winter Show that celebrates agriculture. There are also lots of interesting outdoor activities and historically significant sites, so you will never be bored here.
