Population 5,643 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Ransom County
Household size in Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.33 | 2.39 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.36 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.29 | 2.38 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.00 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
Ransom County is a place of small households, averaging 2.29 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the northeast.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.7 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.2 | 37.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.8 | 37.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.3 | 37.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.6 | −0.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.3, Ransom County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 43.7, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the west.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 8.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | +0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.6% of households in Ransom County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 2.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Ransom County
Renters in Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3% | 33.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.9% | 34.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.1% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.3% | 37.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | +3.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Ransom County own their homes; 25.3% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 54.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the west.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 13.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 12.0% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | +1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Ransom County as nationally: 8.2%, against 9.6%. The rate is lower than in North Dakota overall (12.0%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.4 points, mirroring the country.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1976 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +11 | +6 |
The housing in Ransom County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1969, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1961 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the north has the oldest housing.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $567 | $573 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $689 | $716 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $725 | $862 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $803 | $1,031 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$236 | +$458 | +$606 |
Rent in Ransom County runs $803 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $236 a month since 2006–10, up 42%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the west; the most affordable are in the center.
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 Ransom County
Bachelor's degrees in Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 27.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.8% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.0% | 31.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.0% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +6.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Ransom County: 23.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.0% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.8% | 91.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.0% | 92.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.0% | 94.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Ransom County is a bit above the national rate: 92.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Still, the rate is lower than in North Dakota as a whole (94.1%). The share with a diploma has risen 5.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Ransom County
| Period | Ransom County | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 3.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.9% | 3.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.3% | 2.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.5% | 2.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Ransom County has been low: just 2.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
Ransom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ransom County | 2.29 | 46.3 | 6.6% | 25.3% | 8.2% | 1969 | $803 | 23.0% | 92.0% | 2.5% |
| LaMoure County | 2.26 | 45.8 | 5.9% | 16.4% | 15.4% | 1965 | $744 | 25.1% | 92.0% | 2.5% |
| Wilkin County | 2.34 | 42.1 | 9.5% | 20.3% | 10.6% | 1968 | $1,167 | 22.1% | 93.2% | 4.3% |
| Otter Tail County | 2.41 | 45.9 | 6.5% | 20.5% | 24.5% | 1978 | $900 | 27.7% | 94.0% | 4.5% |
| Logan County | 2.25 | 49.4 | 2.2% | 17.0% | 26.8% | 1965 | $758 | 25.7% | 91.3% | 1.9% |
| Wadena County | 2.31 | 41.6 | 11.3% | 26.4% | 12.7% | 1974 | $790 | 20.1% | 92.6% | 5.5% |
| Crow Wing County | 2.28 | 46.3 | 8.3% | 23.0% | 23.3% | 1986 | $1,039 | 29.2% | 94.6% | 5.2% |
| Grant County | 2.08 | 49.6 | 3.3% | 16.6% | 34.0% | 1963 | $720 | 20.7% | 88.7% | 3.8% |
| Aitkin County | 2.20 | 55.2 | 5.5% | 14.7% | 44.6% | 1982 | $1,018 | 20.3% | 94.6% | 5.8% |
| Hettinger County | 2.05 | 46.4 | 5.5% | 23.2% | 20.9% | 1965 | $673 | 22.7% | 93.8% | 5.4% |
| Slope County | 2.05 | 54.1 | 5.9% | 19.3% | 18.0% | 1961 | $525 | 29.3% | 93.0% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Webster County, KY · Buffalo County, SD · Buffalo County, WI · Bullock County, AL · Burke County, ND · Watonwan County, MN · Wayne County, MO · Wayne County, NE · Wayne County, UT · Webster County, GA
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 Ransom 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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