All 50 States Ranked from Poorest to Richest

North Dakota’s income ranking falls in the middle because its energy boom raised wages for years, but volatility in oil prices affects long-term income stability. Agriculture also dominates large areas of the state and typically provides modest household earnings. Smaller towns often lack high-wage, high-skill job options.

Going forward, North Dakota could strengthen its income outlook by developing clean-energy technology, value-added agriculture, and drone research—an area where it’s already a national leader. Continued investment in workforce training and broadband could connect residents with better-paying roles and stabilize incomes over time.