Fort Totten has been named the poorest town in North Dakota based on recent 2025 analyses focusing on small towns.
Key Statistics
Fort Totten, located south of Devils Lake in Benson County on the Spirit Lake Tribe reservation, has a population of about 1,042 residents. Its median household income stands at $30,234, far below the state average of $73,959.
The poverty rate is strikingly high at 41.7%, compared to North Dakota’s statewide rate of around 10.8-11.1%. No residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and median home values are just $36,200 versus the state’s $232,500.
Why Fort Totten?
Multiple sources, including 24/7 Wall St. and local outlets like US 103.3, rank it as North Dakota’s poorest among towns of 1,000-25,000 people using U.S. Census data. Factors include limited job opportunities, reliance on reservation economies, and broader rural challenges amid inflation.
| Metric | Fort Totten | North Dakota Average |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,042 | N/A [247wallst]​ |
| Median Income | $30,234 | $73,959 [247wallst]​ |
| Poverty Rate | 41.7% | 10.8% [us1033]​ |
| Bachelor’s Degree+ | 0.0% | 31.4% [247wallst]​ |
| Median Home Value | $36,200 | $232,500 [247wallst]​ |
Context and Comparisons
While larger cities like Devils Lake top some broader poverty lists with 22.4% rates, Fort Totten leads in small-town rankings due to extreme metrics. Tribal areas often face higher poverty; nearby Fort Yates shows 31.3% in school data.
North Dakota’s overall poverty remains low nationally at 11.1% in 2024, buoyed by energy sectors. Recent reports from late 2025 confirm no major shifts as of early 2026.
SOURCES :
- https://us1033.com/poorest-towns-america-north-dakota/
- https://usafacts.org/answers/what-is-the-us-poverty-rate/state/north-dakota/
