Population 14,321 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in McKenzie County
Household size in McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.97 | 2.39 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.27 | 2.36 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.38 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in McKenzie County has 2.48 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Still, the typical household here is bigger than in North Dakota overall, where it has 2.38 people. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.43, even as the national average fell.
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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.5 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.8 | 37.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.9 | 37.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.4 | 37.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −7.1 | −0.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 33.4, McKenzie County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has dropped from 40.5 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Only three of North Dakota's 53 counties are younger.
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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 8.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are just as common in McKenzie County as they are nationally: 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in North Dakota overall (8.8%). The single-parent share has risen 1.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 McKenzie County
Renters in McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.7% | 33.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.5% | 34.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.1% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 46.6% | 37.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +14.9 pts | +3.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in McKenzie County than nationally: 46.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 47.7% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 14.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only four of North Dakota's 53 counties have a higher share of renters.
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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.4% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 36.9% | 13.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.7% | 12.0% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 20.7% of the housing in McKenzie County, 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. Vacancy has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1976 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2005 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +34 | +11 | +6 |
Much of the housing in McKenzie County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2005, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the west has the oldest housing. No other North Dakota county has newer 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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $457 | $573 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $709 | $716 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,084 | $862 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,471 | $1,031 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,014 | +$458 | +$606 |
A typical rental in McKenzie County costs $1,471 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in North Dakota as a whole ($1,031). Rents are up $1,014 a month from 2006–10, a 222% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. McKenzie County has the highest rents of any North Dakota county.
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 McKenzie County
Bachelor's degrees in McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.0% | 27.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.5% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.4% | 31.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | +6.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in McKenzie County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.9%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is down 4.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Few North Dakota counties have a lower share of college graduates: only two of 53.
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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.5% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.8% | 91.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.6% | 92.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.7% | 94.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in McKenzie County have finished high school as nationally: 89.7%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in North Dakota overall (94.1%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.2 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 McKenzie County
| Period | McKenzie County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.3% | 3.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 2.5% | 3.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 2.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 2.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −0.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in McKenzie County has been strong: just 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 0.8 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
McKenzie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKenzie County | 2.48 | 33.4 | 11.6% | 46.6% | 20.7% | 2005 | $1,471 | 17.9% | 89.7% | 2.4% |
| Williams County | 2.64 | 33.2 | 10.2% | 47.0% | 26.2% | 1992 | $1,083 | 23.2% | 92.9% | 4.3% |
| Dunn County | 2.57 | 40.5 | 5.3% | 25.7% | 24.8% | 1984 | $911 | 26.7% | 94.1% | 3.2% |
| Richland County | 2.58 | 38.7 | 9.5% | 32.9% | 20.6% | 1980 | $908 | 22.2% | 95.3% | 3.1% |
| Mountrail County | 2.44 | 35.4 | 13.1% | 38.5% | 23.2% | 1997 | $1,050 | 23.4% | 89.0% | 1.1% |
| Mercer County | 2.31 | 45.0 | 6.6% | 18.9% | 21.8% | 1980 | $1,117 | 22.9% | 91.7% | 3.1% |
| Roosevelt County | 3.51 | 30.7 | 19.0% | 33.4% | 23.9% | 1973 | $673 | 21.2% | 91.6% | 11.5% |
| Ward County | 2.45 | 36.0 | 9.3% | 39.2% | 12.6% | 1987 | $1,073 | 30.0% | 94.8% | 3.8% |
| McLean County | 2.25 | 47.8 | 5.6% | 15.8% | 24.1% | 1977 | $760 | 26.8% | 93.8% | 1.3% |
| McCone County | 2.07 | 51.5 | 1.6% | 10.2% | 25.4% | 1964 | $552 | 23.5% | 97.7% | 1.8% |
| McHenry County | 2.33 | 44.2 | 5.3% | 18.6% | 19.9% | 1967 | $748 | 20.5% | 91.2% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Phelps County, NE · Pike County, GA · Pike County, AR · Pierce County, NE · Pierce County, GA · Pickett County, TN · Pickens County, AL · Phillips County, KS · Phillips County, AR · Pike County, IL
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 McKenzie 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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