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CenterND

A town of 562, settled in 1903. Public schools that outperform most of North Dakota.

Population
562
+3% since 2010
Median home value
$204K
Census ACS
Household income
$77K
median
Median age
36.8
years
Jobs based here
202
Balanced

What makes Center stand out

The thing Center does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data
Small town

562 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Nearby towns

Center’s report card

See the data ↓

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The data

Ordered by what stands out in Center. Another town gets a different order.

Natural hazards

Very high risk, with inland flooding at the top

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 86% of U.S. communities.

86risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
86Very high riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingCold wavesHail
2
paid flood claims since 1979
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Schools

Center’s public schools outperform 20% of North Dakota districts

The public schools Center’s kids attend trail 80% of North Dakota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

C−School Grade
SchoolGradesStudentsGrade
Center-Stanton Elementary SchoolPK–6146C−
Center-Stanton High School7–12119C
NCES · EDFacts · graded within ND on state testsAll 2 schools →
Climate

Snowy winters, pleasant summers

Center has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 3°, and about 45 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

45″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter6–25°
Spring30–53°
Summer54–80°
Fall32–55°
Sep 29
typical first frost
May 11
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Work & commute

About one in eight working residents works right in Center

Most working residents leave Center for work: only 13% work in town. The top destinations are Bismarck (24%), Mandan (7%) and Washburn (5%). Half commute less than 30 miles.

13%work in town

Where working residents work

In Center13%
Bismarck24%
Mandan7%
Washburn5%
Hazen4%
30 mi
median commute distance
202
jobs based in Center
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Health

How healthy Center is

Center beats the North Dakota average on 3 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 4.

32 measures vs. North Dakota
3 better25 too close to call4 worse
What stands outCenterND
Fewer adults without reliable transportation5.4%6.5%
More adults getting cholesterol checked86.9%82.7%
More adults who have had cancer10.2%8.2%
Sakakawea Medical Center - Cah
19.5 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Housing

Homes in Center sell for about $230K

The median sale price was $230,000 in May 2026.

$230Kmedian sale price
2
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

About Center

City in North Dakota, United States

Official town website ↗

Center is a city in Oliver County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of, and the only incorporated place in Oliver County. The population was 588 at the 2020 census. Center along with Oliver County is included in the Bismarck metropolitan area.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established
1903
Population
588
Area
0.5 sq mi
Elevation
1,975 ft
ZIP code
58530
Area code
701

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