What do 760,000 North Dakota residents know that we don’t? Well, besides how lucky they are that they get to experience the four seasons in places like Devils Lake or that they have the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument in Jamestown, North Dakotans know that the Peace Garden State has some of the most family friendly places to live in America.
Not surprising, considering North Dakota is one of the best states in the country to raise a family. And, folks, this is most evident in North Dakota’s best places to raise a family for 2026. We suggest you take a look below at HomeSnacks’ list of North Dakota’s top ten most family friendly places: we’ve taken the guessing out of the equation.
How did we do it? We consulted the US Census on places in The Roughrider State with more than 1,000 residents. We looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities, and the percent of households that currently have children. We ended up with 19 family friendly cities. We discovered that North Dakota is the 19th largest in area, but the fourth smallest in population. That’s all the more reason to raise your family in this midwestern state: there’s plenty of room for your kids to run and there’s plenty of opportunity to make a difference.
Not surprising, all of this family friendly goodness has made the North Dakota the fastest growing state in the country. And we definitely think it’s because of the state’s Blue Ribbon elementary schools, gold star high schools, prestigious Universities, competitive jobs and salaries, and strong economy: all of the factors that one should consider when choosing a place to raise a family. So, if you’re looking for safe family friendly North Dakota cities and neighborhoods, take a look at our list below.
$77,171 median income · 28.9% households with kids
Carrington is a city in Foster County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Foster County. The population was 2,065 at the 2010 census. Carrington was founded in 1883.
Carrington is home to Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$90,665 median income · 30.8% households with kids
Located in
Cass County, North Dakota
West Fargo is a city in Cass County, North Dakota, United States. It is, as of the 2016 Census Estimates, the fifth largest city in the state of North Dakota with a population estimated at 34,858, and it is one of the state’s fastest growing cities. West Fargo was founded in 1926. The city is part of the Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$64,327 median income · 28.6% households with kids
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$62,786 median income · 23.6% households with kids
$82,696 median income · 36.0% households with kids
Located in
Stark County, North Dakota
Dickinson is a city in Stark County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Stark County. The population was 17,787 at the 2010 census. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 2015 population is 23,765.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$76,848 median income · 28.4% households with kids
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$109,573 median income · 27.3% households with kids
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$49,219 median income · 34.1% households with kids
$87,652 median income · 41.2% households with kids
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
$56,554 median income · 16.8% households with kids
Located in
Stutsman County, North Dakota
Jamestown is a city in Stutsman County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Stutsman County. The population was 15,427 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth largest city in North Dakota. Jamestown was founded in 1872.
Data | Crime | Cost of living | Movers
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is North Dakota’s statewide median.
North Dakota statewide median: $76,657
North Dakota statewide median: $284,076
On the map
Where North Dakota’s most family-friendly cities are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in North Dakota anyways?
To give you the places in North Dakota that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of North Dakota, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 1,000 people. For North Dakota, that meant a total of 19 cities.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best cities for families in North Dakota.
The full plate
Best Places For Families In North Dakota
Click any column to sort. Search by city name.
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | % Households w/ Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrington | 2,168 | $77,171 | $195,800 | 28.9% |
| 2 | West Fargo | 40,094 | $90,665 | $348,751 | 30.8% |
| 3 | Lisbon | 2,259 | $64,327 | $167,422 | 28.6% |
| 4 | Bowman | 1,499 | $62,786 | $190,706 | 23.6% |
| 5 | Dickinson | 25,357 | $82,696 | $319,458 | 36.0% |
| 6 | Beulah | 3,040 | $76,848 | $236,446 | 28.4% |
| 7 | Stanley | 2,097 | $109,573 | $233,786 | 27.3% |
| 8 | Rolla | 1,039 | $49,219 | $172,219 | 34.1% |
| 9 | Lincoln | 4,381 | $87,652 | $307,383 | 41.2% |
| 10 | Jamestown | 15,787 | $56,554 | $208,863 | 16.8% |
| 11 | Wahpeton | 8,010 | $62,750 | $229,172 | 18.1% |
| 12 | Bismarck | 75,556 | $78,387 | $369,559 | 25.5% |
| 13 | Williston | 28,056 | $79,381 | $365,979 | 30.5% |
| 14 | Grafton | 4,102 | $62,679 | $156,085 | 23.8% |
| 15 | Minot | 47,791 | $73,219 | $272,695 | 26.8% |
| 16 | Mandan | 24,522 | $71,780 | $341,688 | 30.0% |
| 17 | Fargo | 131,627 | $66,998 | $314,973 | 22.6% |
| 18 | Grand Forks | 59,042 | $63,627 | $291,535 | 23.4% |
| 19 | Tioga | 1,657 | $66,181 | $250,223 | 25.6% |
Source: U.S. Census data via Saturday Night Science. 19 North Dakota cities with more than 1,000 residents.
Summary
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In North Dakota
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in North Dakota ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in North Dakota are Carrington, West Fargo, Lisbon, Bowman, Dickinson, Beulah, Stanley, Rolla, Lincoln, and Jamestown. Not sold on North Dakota? Take the two-minute Find Your Place quiz and see which state actually fits you.
Questions and answers
Best Places For Families In North Dakota FAQs
What is the best place to raise a family in North Dakota?
Carrington is the best place to raise a family in North Dakota for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. West Fargo and Lisbon round out the top three.
What are the best places for families in North Dakota?
The best North Dakota places to raise a family are Carrington, West Fargo, Lisbon, Bowman, Dickinson, Beulah, Stanley, Rolla, Lincoln, and Jamestown. We ranked all 19 cities with more than 1,000 residents.
How do you rank family-friendly cities?
Family-friendliness blends low crime, good schools, proximity to a major city, the share of households with kids, and nearby amenities. The city that balances all of it best in North Dakota is Carrington.
Is Carrington affordable for families?
The median home in Carrington costs $195,800 against a median household income of $77,171. Statewide, the median home runs $284,076, so check the gap before you pack the minivan.
What is the toughest place to raise a family in North Dakota?
Tioga lands at the bottom of the family ranking for North Dakota. Families make it work everywhere, but the crime, school, and income numbers stack against it there.
