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As we look toward 2026, challenges persist for women in the workforce across the United States, including North Dakota. Despite advancements in many areas, women continue to encounter disparities in pay, representation, and access to leadership positions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering a more equitable job market.
Following our analysis of the overall landscape for women in North Dakota, we have identified the cities that present the most significant challenges for women today. Location plays a crucial role in shaping opportunities and outcomes.
Discover how your city compares and learn about the factors that contribute to the rankings of the worst cities for women in North Dakota.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In North Dakota
These ten cities illustrate the ongoing difficulties women face in North Dakota. Continue reading to explore the reasons behind these rankings or skip to the end to discover the cities that offer more favorable conditions for women.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In North Dakota
Each city was evaluated based on four key categories:
- Percentage Of Women In Management (Lower percentages indicate worse conditions)
- Percentage Of Women In Poverty (Higher percentages indicate worse conditions)
- Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings (Lower ratios indicate worse conditions)
- Percentage Of Uninsured Women (Lower percentages indicate worse conditions)
We sourced our data from the Census American Community Survey. To calculate the gender pay gap, we divided median male income by median female income for each city.
For the poverty statistics, we focused on women living without family members to isolate their economic conditions. Individuals in this demographic, regardless of gender, often face higher poverty rates and lower earnings.
We examined women in management roles to assess leadership opportunities, as greater representation can positively influence workplace dynamics. Finally, we looked at the percentage of uninsured women in each city to understand healthcare access.
Only cities in North Dakota with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in our analysis.
1. Jamestown
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.60
Percentage Of Women In Management: 23.6%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 17.9%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 7.3%
Jamestown ranks as the most challenging city for women in North Dakota, with low scores across all categories. Women in Jamestown face significant obstacles, including high poverty rates and limited access to health insurance.
2. Williston
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.50
Percentage Of Women In Management: 33.0%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 7.5%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 11.8%
Williston is ranked second due to high poverty rates and overall unfavorable conditions for women in the workplace.
3. Minot
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.68
Percentage Of Women In Management: 33.9%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 13.5%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 6.0%
Minot presents challenges for women, with just 33.9% in management and a concerning poverty rate of 13.5%.
4. Dickinson
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.52
Percentage Of Women In Management: 40.0%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 12.4%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 9.9%
Dickinson ranks fourth, with a notable percentage of uninsured women and a significant portion living in poverty.
5. Grand Forks
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.72
Percentage Of Women In Management: 34.3%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 20.7%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 5.6%
In Grand Forks, while conditions are somewhat improved, the poverty rate for women remains concerning.
6. Watford City
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.59
Percentage Of Women In Management: 46.0%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 7.8%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 17.6%
Watford City ranks sixth, with a high percentage of women in management, but still faces challenges with poverty and health insurance access.
7. Mandan
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.70
Percentage Of Women In Management: 33.5%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 9.7%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 5.3%
Mandan’s high poverty rates and low representation in management highlight the challenges women face in this city.
8. Valley City
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.71
Percentage Of Women In Management: 28.2%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 10.5%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 4.2%
Valley City presents significant challenges for women, with a notable percentage living in poverty and earning less compared to their male counterparts.
9. Bismarck
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.70
Percentage Of Women In Management: 37.6%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 11.0%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 5.0%
Bismarck offers some opportunities for women, but significant gaps in income and health insurance coverage remain prevalent.
10. Fargo
Women’s Earnings Compared To Men’s Earnings: $0.81
Percentage Of Women In Management: 41.1%
Percentage Of Women In Poverty: 13.1%
Percentage Of Uninsured Women: 5.9%
Fargo ranks tenth but still presents challenges, with a significant percentage of women living in poverty despite better management representation.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In North Dakota
In summary, these cities highlight the ongoing struggles faced by women in North Dakota. While statewide initiatives and efforts to close the gender gap continue, the conditions in these cities reveal significant room for improvement.
Although it is difficult to generalize the experiences of every woman, the systemic challenges identified here suggest that those living in these areas may encounter unique hurdles in their professional lives.
Explore the detailed breakdown of the worst cities for women below to understand more about these challenges.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In North Dakota
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamestown | $0.60 |
| 2 | Williston | $0.50 |
| 3 | Minot | $0.68 |
| 4 | Dickinson | $0.52 |
| 5 | Grand Forks | $0.72 |
| 6 | Watford City | $0.59 |
| 7 | Mandan | $0.70 |
| 8 | Valley City | $0.71 |
| 9 | Bismarck | $0.70 |
| 10 | Fargo | $0.81 |
| 11 | Wahpeton | $0.82 |
| 12 | Devils Lake | $0.73 |
| 13 | West Fargo | $0.71 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
