Population 1,653 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Golden Valley County
Household size in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.06 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.29 | 2.39 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.06 | 2.36 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.33 | 2.38 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Golden Valley County are small: just 2.33 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has climbed from 2.06 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.1 | 37.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.0 | 37.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.4 | 37.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.5 | −0.8 | +2.3 |
Golden Valley County skews older: half of its residents are older than 50.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Golden Valley County is older than at least four in five North Dakota counties.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 8.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | +0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Golden Valley County: 4.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Golden Valley County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of North Dakota counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Golden Valley County
Renters in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 33.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.8% | 34.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.0% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.5% | 37.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +3.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Golden Valley County is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 68.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.6% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 13.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.1% | 12.0% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Golden Valley County: 22.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1951 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1962 | 1976 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1957 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +11 | +6 |
The housing in Golden Valley County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1957, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Only one other North Dakota county has older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $418 | $573 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $547 | $716 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $676 | $862 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $612 | $1,031 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$194 | +$458 | +$606 |
Rent in Golden Valley County runs $612 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent takes 19.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Golden Valley County has lower rents than at least four in five North Dakota counties.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Golden Valley County
Bachelor's degrees in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 27.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.0% | 31.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.4% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +6.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Golden Valley County: 22.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Golden Valley County has a lower share of college graduates than most North Dakota counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.5% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.2% | 91.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.7% | 92.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.5% | 94.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Golden Valley County: 96.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. No other North Dakota county has a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Golden Valley County
| Period | Golden Valley County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.4% | 3.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 0.7% | 3.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 2.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Golden Valley County than nationally: unemployment was 3.9%, against 5.4%. Even so, the rate is higher than in North Dakota overall (2.8%). Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Golden Valley County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Valley County | 2.33 | 50.4 | 4.2% | 20.5% | 22.1% | 1957 | $612 | 22.4% | 96.5% | 3.9% |
| Wibaux County | 2.52 | 41.0 | 5.4% | 27.5% | 22.5% | 1973 | $963 | 22.5% | 96.0% | 1.7% |
| Billings County | 2.46 | 41.8 | 3.2% | 22.1% | 25.5% | 1983 | $621 | 32.6% | 95.2% | 2.1% |
| Fallon County | 2.35 | 37.0 | 6.7% | 30.6% | 20.7% | 1982 | $806 | 17.5% | 99.6% | 0.0% |
| Dawson County | 2.39 | 42.5 | 8.8% | 28.1% | 17.8% | 1964 | $801 | 22.0% | 93.7% | 3.1% |
| Slope County | 2.05 | 54.1 | 5.9% | 19.3% | 18.0% | 1961 | $525 | 29.3% | 93.0% | 2.7% |
| Stark County | 2.43 | 35.3 | 11.3% | 33.2% | 14.9% | 1990 | $988 | 29.1% | 92.1% | 3.3% |
| Prairie County | 2.24 | 57.8 | 6.6% | 16.1% | 20.7% | 1957 | $627 | 26.9% | 96.5% | 0.9% |
| Dunn County | 2.57 | 40.5 | 5.3% | 25.7% | 24.8% | 1984 | $911 | 26.7% | 94.1% | 3.2% |
| Hettinger County | 2.05 | 46.4 | 5.5% | 23.2% | 20.9% | 1965 | $673 | 22.7% | 93.8% | 5.4% |
| Custer County | 2.32 | 43.8 | 8.8% | 30.1% | 14.2% | 1963 | $837 | 27.5% | 95.6% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Ida County, IA · Houston County, TN · Howard County, IA · Howard County, MO · Hudspeth County, TX · Huerfano County, CO · Humphreys County, MS · Hutchinson County, SD · Hyde County, SD · Hot Springs County, WY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Golden Valley County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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