Stanley is the only major city in Mountrail County, North Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Mountrail County. The population was 2,321 at the 2020 census, making it the 22nd most populous city in North Dakota. Stanley was founded in 1902. The town's economy is heavily connected to the nearby oil-rich Bakken Formation.

Official town website ↗

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

Town numbers

ZIP code58784

Area code701

Living in Stanley

Housing in Stanley

$207K▼ 0.5% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Stanley home is worth about $207,000, down 0.5% in a year, 29% below the North Dakota typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Stanley

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Stanley's police department reported only 2023 and 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Stanley 1.9

North Dakota 2.6

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Stanley 14.1

North Dakota 17.1

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Stanley

Full picture →

About one in 4 of Stanley’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are New Town (5%), Tioga (5%) and Minot (4%). Half commute less than 25 miles.

New Town

Tioga

Minot

Williston

28%Work in townlive and work in Stanley 25 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,233Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Stanley →

Health in Stanley

Health Grade B

Healthier than 64% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with North Dakota

2worse than ND

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 30 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▼ 11 close Habits all close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

9.5%More uninsured adultsND 7.3% · worse 13.9%More older adults who have lost all their teethND 10.8% · worse

Care nearby

Mountrail County Medical CenterStanley · 0.9 mi · ER · rural critical access

Bowbells ClinicBowbells · 34.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

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

Natural hazards in Stanley

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 16% of U.S. communities.

🥶 Cold waves🌊 Inland flooding🧊 Hail

0Does Stanley flood?no paid flood claims on record 3Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Stanley MapStanley vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

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

Climate in Stanley

Full climate →

Stanley has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 0°, and about 47 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

22° / 3°Winter

52° / 27°Spring

78° / 52°Summer

53° / 30°Fall

How much snow does Stanley get?About 47 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 23, with the last in spring around May 17.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.3° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in Stanley

All Stanley schools →

School Grade D

The public schools Stanley’s kids attend trail 88% of North Dakota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictSTANLEY 2Schools2

Stanley Elementary School CElementary · Grades PK–6 · 463 students Stanley High School DHigh · Grades 7–12 · 320 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.