Within the Bismarck metropolitan area, we're fortunate to have a prospering quality of life that not all areas of North Dakota are able to have.

Each state in the U.S. has at least one area and/or county that is deemed as a poor quality of life, especially in comparison to other flourishing counties in that given state. Recently, 24/7 Wall St. measured the quality of life in every county in each state with a population of over 10,000 to understand where the worst counties to live are. In North Dakota, that county is a little less than a three-hour drive up north from Bismarck, in Rolette County.

North Dakota has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.6 percent which makes it pretty alarming when Rolette County's unemployment rate sits at 7.7 percent, more than any other county in the state. Poverty is a problem there as well with a rate of 31.6 percent. That's almost three times the 11.2 percent of citizens in poverty for the entire state.

The life expectancy rate in North Dakota is nearly right at 80 years old. However, in Rolette County, that number drops to just over 73 years. This statistic is due largely to having less access to healthier options that may contribute to diet and lifestyle.

In the Bismarck metro area, we're lucky enough not to have such social and economic measures as what other counties may be dealing with, not just in Rolette County, but other areas of the state. Try not to take it for granted and know that overall, you're in a pretty good spot in North Dakota.

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