Signature · 9.5% SNAP (86th pct in ND)
Foster County, ND
Foster County stands out on SNAP (9.5%, -2.6 pts vs U.S.) with 18.3% low-access from USDA FARA 2019.
- 18.3%
- low-access pop.
- 0
- food-desert tracts
- 9.5%
- on SNAP
- 3K
- residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA access plate
County Foster County, ND
LA-MODERATE · BELOW-NATIONAL · LILA-NONE · SNAP-LIGHT · VEH-TYPICAL · DENSITY-CLEAR
- LA-MODERATE 18.3% low-access
- BELOW-NATIONAL -3.8 pts vs US
- LILA-NONE 0 food-desert tracts
- SNAP-LIGHT 9.5% SNAP
- VEH-TYPICAL 8.0% no vehicle
- DENSITY-CLEAR 0% tracts LILA
Nearest low-access peer: Traill County ( -0.5 pts)
The food-access picture
According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, Foster County ranks #1,828 of 3,079 U.S. counties by low-access share and #47 of 53 counties in ND (18.3% low-access).
- #1,828
- national by low-access %
- #47
- in ND
- 1
- low-access tracts
- 197
- food-desert residents
Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA).
Signature read: 9.5% SNAP (86th pct in ND) (-2.6 pts vs U.S. SNAP) .
How Foster County compares nationally
Foster County lands in the middle of the national distribution: a 18.3% low-access share that beats 41% of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data (rank #1,828).
Foster County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown
1 census tracts grouped by USDA classification .
All 1 of Foster County's tracts are rural in the USDA classification, so every one is judged on the 10-mile test: a resident counts as low-access only when the nearest supermarket is more than 10 miles away.
Foster County low-access neighbourhood
Poles + nearest peers in North Dakota, not a full county-board reprint
- Nelson
Nelson 100%
100 % low-access
- McIntosh 19.9
McIntosh 19.9%
19.9 % low-access
- Walsh 19.5
Walsh 19.5%
19.5 % low-access
- Pierce 19.3
Pierce 19.3%
19.3 % low-access
- Foster 18.3
Foster 18.3%
18.3 % low-access
- Traill 17.8
Traill 17.8%
17.8 % low-access
- Rolette 9.6
Rolette 9.6%
9.6 % low-access
Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Census Tracts | 1 |
| Atlas Population (2010 basis) | 3,343 |
| Low-Access Tracts | 1 |
| Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access) | 0 |
| Low-Access Population | 613 |
| Low-Access Share | 18.3%below the national average |
| Low-Income & Low-Access Population | 197 |
ACS 2024 · elevated SNAP band
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 3,358 |
| Median Household Income | $87,831 |
| Poverty Rate | 8.8%below the national average |
| SNAP Households | 146 |
| SNAP Participation Rate | 9.5%below the national average |
| Households Without a Vehicle | 8.0%near the national average |
| Group-Quarters Population | 2.7% |
Slim SNAP store book in Foster County
Foster County has 4 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 4 store categories. Combination Grocery/Other lead with 1 locations (25% of the total), followed by convenience store.
Where the store book sits, by town
All 4 authorized stores are in Carrington, 1 of them grocery-grade (supermarket or large/medium grocery).
Combination Grocery/Other · 1
- dollar general 21657, carrington
Convenience Store · 1
- casey's 3364, carrington
Meat/Poultry Specialty · 1
- custom kut meat inc, carrington
Supermarket · 1
- leevers foods, carrington
Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).
Other Counties in North Dakota
One of 52 counties in North Dakota, 6 are shown here.
Compare Foster County vs Adams County → · All North Dakota counties →
North Dakota among West North Central states
North Dakota ranks 2nd of 7 West North Central states by population-weighted low-access (28.9%). Foster County, at 18.3%, runs 10.6 pts below the North Dakota rate.
- South Dakota 29.1%
- North Dakota 28.9%
- Minnesota 27.4%
- Kansas 26.4%
- Missouri 24.9%
- Nebraska 21.9%
- Iowa 20.0%
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted by state; divisions per the U.S. Census Bureau. National state map
Read with this county
Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .
PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Foster County, ND are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 38031. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.