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Bottineau, ND

Photo: Wikipedia

Bottineau, ND

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 29
Population2,063
Foreign Born3.9%
Population Density1,568people per mi²
Median Age35.9 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
F
Poor

Significant lifestyle challenges — high costs relative to incomes, limited walkability, and weak neighborhood economic health.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

63/100

37% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in Bottineau, North Dakota

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $12k$23k
Comfortable $32k$47k
Luxury $98k+$153k+
Elite (Top 5%) $116k+$179k+
Affordability Ratio

150%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

F
Hood Index scan area
High Risk Area0%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
0
Positive
0
Poor
1
Negative
0

Limited data for this area

Groceries

2 within 10 miles

0.1mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

0.2mi

Airport

Bottineau Municipal Airport

1mi

Post Office

USPS — Bottineau, ND

0.1mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf0Nearest 18 mi
Camping20Nearest 5.1 mi
Marina0Nearest 10.9 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 173.1 mi
Gun Range0Nearest 56.5 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$71k+4.7%
6% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$728k
11% above US avg
College Educated
29.1%
17% below US avg
WFH
6.8%
52% below US avg
Homeownership
60.0%
8% below US avg
Median Home
$165k
41% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

Generally safer than 68% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
16.4
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−24.4%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−15.0%
Homicide
0.01 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Robbery
0.18 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Aggravated Assault
1.61 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr−33.8%
Burglary
1.97 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Larceny-Theft
10.68 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.46 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+18Solidly Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Bottineau, North Dakota
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Inherited from parent state — no local data available.

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B
Fair8.8% of income
Property Rights
B-
GoodIJ Grade B-
Firearm Rights
B
GoodFPC Grade B
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Net exporter (500% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Hardiness Zone3B~-32°F min
Growing Season143 days173 frost-free
Annual Rainfall20.3"
Elevation1,637 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
A+
Great1404 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
C-
Weak1,568/sq mi
Fallout Danger
A
Great5 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
A-
GoodCold Wave
Border / Coast
C-
Weakborder 12 mi · coast 998 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$7.4M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T05:46:48.000Z

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