Oakes is the most populous city in Dickey County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 1,798 at the 2020 census. Oakes was founded in 1886.

Official town website ↗

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

Town numbers

ZIP code58474

Area code701

Living in Oakes

Housing in Oakes

$181K▲ 11.8% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Oakes home is worth about $181,000, up 11.8% in a year, 38% below the North Dakota typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Oakes

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Oakes's police department reported only 2023, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Oakes 0.6

North Dakota 2.8

U.S. 3.9

Property crime per 1,000

Oakes 0

North Dakota 19.7

U.S. 19.5

FBI crime data, 2023 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Oakes

Full picture →

About one in 3 of Oakes’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Gwinner (11%), Fargo (8%) and Bear Creek (6%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Gwinner

11%

Fargo

Bear Creek

Bismarck

36%Work in townlive and work in Oakes 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 641Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Oakes →

Health in Oakes

Health Grade B

Healthier than 56% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 74% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with North Dakota

2better than ND·9worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 21 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits 1▲ 3 close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind 1▼ 4 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

18%Fewer binge drinkersND 21.3% · better 80.4%More adults treating high blood pressureND 76.3% · better 8%More adults with COPDND 5.9% · worse

Care nearby

Chi Oakes HospitalOakes · 0.5 mi · ER · rural critical access

Family Healthcare Lamoure, North DakotaLamoure · 18 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Oakes · CMS · HRSAHealth in Oakes →

Natural hazards in Oakes

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 30% of U.S. communities.

🥶 Cold waves🌊 Inland flooding🧊 Hail

1Does Oakes flood?paid flood claims since 1997 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Oakes

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Oakes →

Climate in Oakes

Full climate →

Oakes has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 1°, and about 37 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

24° / 5°Winter

53° / 31°Spring

80° / 56°Summer

56° / 33°Fall

How much snow does Oakes get?About 37 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 28, with the last in spring around May 8.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Oakes →

Schools in Oakes

All Oakes schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Oakes’s kids attend outperform 75% of North Dakota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictOAKES 41Schools2

Oakes Elementary School B+Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 247 students Oakes High School B+High · Grades 7–12 · 228 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within ND. Ratings are from neighbors.