State Cancer Profiles > Interpretation of Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer Data

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Interpretation of Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer Data

Death Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer, 2019-2023

North Dakota Counties versus United States

All Cancer Sites

All Races, Female

Sorted by priority index

Explanation of Column Headers

State/County - The site and sex combination for this comparison.

Priority Index ¹ - The priority index is based upon the direction of the trend and the rate comparison. An index of 1 is the highest priority - that trend is rising and the rate is already higher. An index of 9 is the lowest priority - the trend is falling and the rate is already lower.

Recent Trends - This is an interpretation of the AAPC:

Rising when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is above 0.
Stable when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change includes 0.
Falling when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is below 0.

AAPC (95% Confidence Interval) - The Average Annual Percent Change is the change in rate over time. These AAPCs are based upon APCs that were calculated by Joinpoint Regression Program

Other Notes

Larger confidence intervals indicate less stability of the data. This is often due to low counts that are not quite low enough to be suppressed.
Data is currently being suppressed if there are fewer than 16 counts for the time period.

Line by Line Interpretation of the Report

United States

Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.2 to -1.0.
Rate : The death rate is 126.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 126.1 to 126.6 and 287,034 average annual deaths.

North Dakota

Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to -0.9.
Rate : The death rate is 118.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 114.0 to 122.9 and 597 average annual deaths.

Burleigh County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.1 to -0.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 113.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 101.8 to 125.1 and 81 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Ramsey County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -3.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.6 to -0.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 96.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 70.9 to 129.6 and 10 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8

Grand Forks County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.8 to -0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 116.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 101.8 to 133.5 and 48 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

McLean County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.1 to -0.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 103.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 71.7 to 147.0 and 8 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8

Stutsman County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.4 to -0.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 122.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 99.3 to 150.5 and 21 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Traill County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -14.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -33.4 to -3.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 105.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 71.9 to 150.8 and 7 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8

Ward County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -0.3.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 122.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 107.3 to 139.6 and 49 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Bottineau County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 7.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -2.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.7 to 0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 78.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 50.0 to 124.1 and 5 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.6

Richland County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 7.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.8 to 0.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 94.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 70.3 to 124.5 and 13 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.7

Barnes County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.2 to 1.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 144.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 111.8 to 185.9 and 15 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Cass County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -0.8 to 0.7.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 114.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 104.6 to 124.4 and 111 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Cavalier County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.2 to 1.9.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 164.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 101.5 to 257.9 and 6 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Dickey County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 0.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.8 to 2.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 136.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 90.6 to 202.2 and 6 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Hettinger County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.5 to 3.0.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 163.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 93.0 to 276.3 and 3 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

LaMoure County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.1 to 4.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 112.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 59.8 to 195.7 and 4 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

McHenry County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -0.8 to 4.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 158.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 109.1 to 226.8 and 7 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3

Mercer County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 0.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.4 to 2.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 114.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 79.5 to 162.6 and 8 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Morton County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.4 to 0.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 137.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 115.9 to 162.1 and 31 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Mountrail County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.2 to 2.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 141.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 95.4 to 201.0 and 7 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Pembina County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -3.1 to 2.6.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 135.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 93.1 to 193.8 and 9 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Pierce County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.9 to 2.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 134.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 86.5 to 207.8 and 5 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Ransom County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.0 to 1.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 89.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 54.2 to 143.5 and 4 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.7

Sargent County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -4.3 to 2.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 131.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 81.7 to 209.9 and 4 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Stark County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is 6.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -0.8 to 22.1.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 120.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 98.5 to 146.0 and 23 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Walsh County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.3 to 1.2.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 132.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 98.7 to 176.1 and 12 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0

Wells County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -5.0 to 2.5.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 114.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 64.7 to 195.2 and 4 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Williams County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 6.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.7 to 0.4.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 111.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 89.2 to 137.8 and 18 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Rolette County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 4.
Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -0.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.5 to 1.0.
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 193.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 148.7 to 249.0 and 13 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.5

Benson County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 140.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 86.9 to 217.0 and 5 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Emmons County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 116.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 59.5 to 213.1 and 3 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9

Foster County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 133.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 82.5 to 213.9 and 5 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

McIntosh County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 144.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 73.8 to 267.0 and 4 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

McKenzie County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
Rate : The death rate is 144.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 102.0 to 198.4 and 8 average annual deaths.
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1

Adams County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Billings County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Bowman County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Burke County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Divide County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Dunn County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Eddy County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Golden Valley County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Grant County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Griggs County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Kidder County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Logan County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Nelson County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Oliver County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Renville County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Sheridan County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Sioux County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Slope County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Steele County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Towner County

Priority Index(1) : The priority index cannot be determined.
Recent Trend(2) : **
County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : *
Rate : *
Rate Ratio(3) County to US : *

Notes:
Created by statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov on 03/13/2026 7:49 am.

Trend²
Rising

when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is above 0.
Stable

when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change includes 0.
Falling

when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is below 0.
Rate Comparison
Above

when 95% confident the rate is above and Rate Ratio³ > 1.10
Similar

when unable to conclude above or below with confidence.
Below

when 95% confident the rate is below and Rate Ratio³ < 0.90

* Data has been suppressed to ensure confidentiality and stability of rate and trend estimates.
** Data are too sparse to provide stable estimates of annual rates needed to calculate trend.
¹ Priority indices were created by ordering from rates that are rising and above the comparison rate to rates that are falling and below the comparison rate.
² Recent trend in death rates is usually an Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) based on the APCs calculated by Joinpoint. Due to data availability issues, the time period and/or calculation method used in the calculation of the trends may differ for selected geographic areas.
³ Rate ratio is the county rate divided by the US rate. Previous versions of this table used one-year rates for states and five-year rates for counties. As of June 2018, only five-year rates are used.
Source: Death data provided by the National Vital Statistics System public use data file. Death rates calculated by the National Cancer Institute using SEER*Stat. Death rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (20 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ... , 80-84, 85-89, 90+). The Healthy People 2030 goals are based on rates adjusted using different methods but the differences should be minimal. Population counts for denominators are based on Census populations as modified by NCI. The US Population Data File is used with mortality data.
Note: When the population size for a denominator is small, the rates may be unstable. A rate is unstable when a small change in the numerator (e.g., only one or two additional cases) has a dramatic effect on the calculated rate. Suppression is used to avoid misinterpretation when rates are unstable.

State Cancer Registries may provide more current or more local data. Data presented on the State Cancer Profiles Web Site may differ from statistics reported by the State Cancer Registries (for more information).

Data for the following has been suppressed to ensure confidentiality and stability of rate and trend estimates:
Adams County, Billings County, Bowman County, Burke County, Divide County, Dunn County, Eddy County, Golden Valley County, Grant County, Griggs County, Kidder County, Logan County, Nelson County, Oliver County, Renville County, Sheridan County, Sioux County, Slope County, Steele County, Towner County

Trend for the following could not be reliably determined due to small number of deaths per year:
Benson County, Emmons County, Foster County, McIntosh County, McKenzie County

Interpret Rankings provides insight into interpreting cancer statistics. When the population size for a denominator is small, the rates may be unstable. A rate is unstable when a small change in the numerator (e.g., only one or two additional cases) has a dramatic effect on the calculated rate.

Data for United States do not include Puerto Rico.

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