Can households afford energy in North Dakota?
39th of 51. All North Dakota households: 2.4% ($2,173 of $90,030). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 16.1% on $9,110. Renters 1.9%, owners 2.5%.
North Dakota burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in North Dakota: under 30%. Together 12% of homes (36,946 of 320,038).
North Dakota burden, % of income
- 16.1Under 30%
- 5.930% to 60%
- 4.060% to 80%
- 3.380% to 100%
- 1.8Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in North Dakota down to 6% takes $924 off its $1,471 energy cost, or $15,407 more income.
North Dakota income, cost and burden
| Bracket | North Dakota homes | Share | North Dakota income | Electric | All energy | North Dakota burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 36,946 | 12% | $9,110 | $880 | $1,471 | 16.1% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 51,671 | 16% | $29,198 | $1,075 | $1,723 | 5.9% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 36,611 | 11% | $49,396 | $1,228 | $1,986 | 4.0% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 36,163 | 11% | $64,326 | $1,288 | $2,141 | 3.3% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 158,647 | 50% | $143,923 | $1,520 | $2,534 | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| All | 320,038 | 100% | $90,030 | $1,315 | $2,173 | 2.4% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in North Dakota
Renters pay $906 on $47,527 (1.9%); owners $2,912 on $114,795 (2.5%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 42% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 7.0%.
| North Dakota heating fuel | Homes | Share | North Dakota income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 127,029 | 39.7% | $76,552 | $1,532 | 2.0% |
| Utility gas | 133,161 | 41.6% | $104,062 | $2,012 | 1.9% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 43,713 | 13.7% | $99,245 | $4,255 | 4.3% |
| Fuel oil | 6,486 | 2.0% | $67,723 | $4,728 | 7.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 9,649 | 3.0% | $47,052 | $1,690 | 3.6% |
Your burden against North Dakota
Help and shutoff rules in North Dakota
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 14,165 homes, 16 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $23,595,315, $266 per such home.
Eligibility listed: 60% State Median Income.
Benefits listed: Heating: $1 minimum, $7,500 maximum Cooling: $1 minimum, $1,000 maximum Crisis: $500 maximum.
- North Dakota LIHEAP office, phone 866-614-6005
- Clearinghouse snapshot, North Dakota
- North Dakota help with your bill
Cold-weather clause: no season or temperature ban found in the text read
Read: N.D. Admin. Code 69-09-02-05.1 (Discontinuance of electric service), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your North Dakota utility.
Highest-burden North Dakota counties
40 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Sioux County at 7.5%, lowest of the 40: Williams County at 1.7%.
| North Dakota county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux County | 1,047 | $47,110 | $3,534 | 7.5% | 17.1% |
| McIntosh County | 1,193 | $74,911 | $4,648 | 6.2% | 20.9% |
| Grant County | 1,060 | $74,282 | $4,294 | 5.8% | 18.6% |
| Benson County | 1,869 | $70,927 | $3,878 | 5.5% | 15.7% |
| Nelson County | 1,297 | $77,265 | $3,782 | 4.9% | 15.3% |
| Rolette County | 3,668 | $63,699 | $3,118 | 4.9% | 12.2% |
| Pierce County | 1,689 | $80,018 | $3,586 | 4.5% | 13.3% |
| McHenry County | 2,312 | $84,233 | $3,646 | 4.3% | 15.3% |
Next to North Dakota in the ranking
More
Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do North Dakota households spend on energy?
2.4% for all households ($2,173 of $90,030) and 7.8% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in North Dakota?
Households under 30% of median income: 16.1%, 36,946 homes spending $1,471 on $9,110.
How many North Dakota homes get LIHEAP heating help?
14,165 in FY2024, 16 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole North Dakota energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.5% of 2.4%; gas and other fuel are the rest.