Nelson County, ND Property Records
Property records in Nelson, North Dakota are maintained through Nelson County offices and document key details about real estate, including ownership, legal descriptions, parcel information, assessed values, property taxes, deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded transfers. These records are useful for verifying property ownership, researching sales history, preparing real estate transactions, checking tax obligations, and supporting title or boundary research.
Users can access official Nelson property records through the Nelson County Recorder, Tax Director, or related county departments. The official Nelson County government website provides information on county offices, public records access, and contacts for requesting recorded land documents or property assessment details. For certified copies or the most current information, users should contact the appropriate Nelson County office directly.
Nelson County, ND Property Records & Statistics
Nelson County is an affordable place to live compared with North Dakota and the nation. The median rent is $565, well below the state median of $688 and the national figure of $840.25. The median home value of $108,800 is also lower than the state value of $131,900 and the national value of $173,750, so both renters and buyers face lower housing costs here.
Property taxes run in the opposite direction. The county's median property tax rate is 0.87%, higher than the state rate of 0.81% and the national rate of 0.74%. Even so, with modest home values, the dollar amount of taxes on a typical home is likely to stay manageable. The median household income is $68,125, below the state median of $76,250 but above the national median of $65,108.
Employment is a strength. The unemployment rate is 1.01%, lower than both the state rate of 1.59% and the national rate of 2.87%, which indicates that most people who want work in the county are finding it.
Renter-occupied housing accounts for 22.1% of occupied homes, above the state share of 19.11% and just above the national share of 21.81%. Overall, the figures describe a low-cost, low-unemployment county with a slightly larger rental market than most of North Dakota and somewhat higher tax rates.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Nelson
Nelson County property records cover tax assessments, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 7,897 total parcels, including 1,744 residential and 442 commercial parcels, and tax records cover 89.91% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Foreclosures in the county follow a judicial process, with 2 lis pendens records on file.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 7,897 |
| Residential Parcels | 1,744 |
| Commercial Parcels | 442 |
| Other Parcels | 5,711 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 89.91% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Last Assessor Update | April 11, 2025 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 8 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 2 |
How to Search Nelson County, ND Property Records
Nelson County property records cover 7,897 parcels, including 1,744 residential and 442 commercial parcels. The available information includes parcel counts, tax record coverage for the 2024 tax and assessment years, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. Together these records can show how a property is classified, when it was last updated by the assessor, and whether any foreclosure filings exist.
The best way to search is to start with the property address, owner name, or parcel number. County offices such as the Recorder and the Auditor can look up a parcel for you and explain what is on file, and they are the right place to ask for copies of recorded documents or tax information. Calling or visiting the county courthouse in Lakota is usually the quickest route when you are not sure which office holds a particular record.
When you search, enter the most complete details you have and review the matching entries. Note the parcel number, since it is the most reliable way to confirm that you have the right property across assessment, tax, and recorded records.
If you are looking for foreclosure information, keep in mind that Nelson County follows a judicial process, so related filings appear as court-based records rather than trustee sale notices. Records from April 12, 2024 forward show 2 lis pendens records.
Nelson County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Nelson County property records by address?
Contact the Nelson County Recorder or Auditor at the county courthouse in Lakota and give them the property address. Staff can find the parcel and tell you what records are on file. Having the owner's name or a parcel number ready helps if the address does not return a match, since the county has 7,897 parcels.
How can I find property owners in Nelson County?
Owner names appear in the county's assessment and recorded document records. Ask the Nelson County Recorder or Auditor to look up a parcel by address or parcel number and to show the most recent recorded deed. Tax records cover 89.91% of the population, so most parcels have ownership details on file for the 2024 tax year.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Nelson County?
Assessed values are part of the county's assessment records for the 2024 assessment year, last updated by the assessor on April 11, 2025. To see the value for a specific parcel, ask the Nelson County Auditor or assessing office. Have the property address or parcel number ready so staff can locate the correct record.
Where can I find Nelson County property tax bills and payment records?
Nelson County's tax records are for tax year 2024. Tax statements and payment history are kept by the county's tax offices, so call the Nelson County Auditor or Treasurer's office at the courthouse in Lakota. Give them the parcel number or property address, and they can tell you what is owed and how to pay.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Nelson County?
Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are held by the Nelson County Recorder. Visit the office at the courthouse in Lakota or call to ask for a search by owner name, property description, or date. The North Dakota Recorders' Information Network, NDRIN, also covers recorded records for many North Dakota counties.
Where can I access Nelson County parcel maps and GIS information?
Nelson County has 7,897 parcels, and maps of those parcels are maintained by county offices. Contact the county courthouse in Lakota and ask which department provides parcel maps or GIS information. Staff can tell you whether maps are available online or by request, and can confirm the parcel number you need.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Nelson County?
Permits and zoning are handled by the county or by the city where the property sits, so the right office depends on the location. Ask at the Nelson County courthouse in Lakota which office covers your parcel. Provide the address or parcel number, and staff can point you to the correct zoning or building contact.
How can I create a list of property owners in Nelson County?
Owner information is looked up one parcel at a time through the Recorder and Auditor. For a longer list, contact the Nelson County offices and describe the area or property type you need, such as residential parcels, of which there are 1,744. Staff can explain whether a bulk request is possible and any fees that apply.