According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 25.875 square miles (67.02 km2), of which 25.734 square miles (66.65 km2) is land and 0.141 square miles (0.37 km2) is water.[1]
Williston has a cold semi-arid climate; closely bordering upon a warm-summer humid continental climate. It is part of USDA Hardiness zone 4a.[13] The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 11.5 °F (−11.4 °C) in January to 70.4 °F (21.3 °C) in July.[14] On average, there are 2 days that reach 100 °F (38 °C) or higher, 22 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs, 39 days with a low of 0 °F (−18 °C) or below, 7 days with lows plummeting to at least −20 °F (−29 °C), and 6 days that do not rise above 0 °F annually.[14] The average window for freezing temperatures is September 20 through May 21,[14] allowing a growing season of 121 days; . Extreme temperatures officially range from −50 °F (−46 °C) on December 23, 1983 and February 16, 1936 up to 110 °F (43 °C) on July 5, 1936; the record cold daily maximum is −29 °F (−34 °C) on January 16, 1930, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 78 °F (26 °C) last set July 19, 1974.[14]
Precipitation is greatest in June and July and averages 14.88 in (378 mm) annually, but has ranged from 6.13 in (156 mm) in 1934 to 22.04 in (560 mm) in 1896.[14] Snowfall averages 48.2 in (122 cm) per season, and has historically ranged from 8.0 in (20 cm) in 1908–1909 to 107.2 in (272 cm) in 2010–2011;[14] the average window for measurable (≥0.1 in or 0.25 cm) snowfall is October 21 through April 26, although snow in May occurs at most several times per decade and September snow is a much rarer event.[14] Due to the relative aridity, there are only 3.9 days per season where 24-hour snowfall exceeds 3 in (7.6 cm).[15]
Climate data for Williston, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1894–present[b]
Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1962–1990, sun 1961–1990)[c][14][15][17]
Notes
^Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
^Official records for Williston kept at the Weather Bureau Office from January 1894 to June 1948, Sloulin Field International Airport from July 1948 until October 22, 2019, and the new Williston Basin Int'l since October 23, 2019.[16]
^Only 22 to 24 years out of the 29 in the normals period were used to calculate the humidity normals.
Williston is in northwestern North Dakota's booming oil patch, where adequate, affordable housing has become a concern since the 2010s.[19] According to a February 2014 article in Business Insider, Williston had the highest apartment rents in the United States.[20] The 2010 census counted a population of 14,716, up from 12,680 in 2000, but the number of current residents is possibly significantly higher since the count does not include those living in temporary housing. In September 2011, the mayor estimated the actual population to be 20,000 persons.[21] The aforementioned 2014 Business Insider story estimated that the population was over 30,000.[20]
As of the 2022 American Community Survey, there are 11,410 estimated households in Williston with an average of 2.39 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $80,352. Approximately 7.4% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Williston has an estimated 76.8% employment rate, with 25.8% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 89.8% holding a high school diploma.[22]
The top nine reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were German (18.0%), Norwegian (15.5%), English (4.5%), Irish (4.5%), Subsaharan African (2.9%), Polish (2.4%), French (except Basque) (2.1%), Scottish (1.3%), and Italian (0.8%).
The median age in the city was 31.4 years.
2020 census
Williston, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the 2020 census, there were 29,160 people, 11,706 households, and 6,570 families residing in the city.[26] The population density was 1,258.7 inhabitants per square mile (486.0/km2). There were 14,417 housing units at an average density of 622.3 inhabitants per square mile (240.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.10% White, 6.72% African American, 2.62% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 4.33% from some other races and 8.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.85% of the population.[27] 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.9% were under 5 years of age, and 7.9% were 65 and older.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 14,716 people, 6,180 households, and 3,589 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,962.1 inhabitants per square mile (757.6/km2). There were 6,542 housing units at an average density of 872.3 per square mile (336.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.65% White, 0.35% African American, 3.32% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from some other races and 2.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.23% of the population.
There were 6,180 households, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.9% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.99.
The median age in the city was 35.5 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 49.0% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 12,512 people, 5,255 households, and 3,205 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,794.1 inhabitants per square mile (692.7/km2). There were 5,912 housing units at an average density of 847.7 inhabitants per square mile (327.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.69% White, 0.17% African American, 3.65% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from some other races and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.23% of the population.
There were 5,255 households, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.96.
The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,962, and the median income for a family was $38,713. Males had a median income of $29,578 versus $18,879 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,656. About 11.3% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Gas station at Farmers' Cooperative in Williston, 1941. Photo by Marion Post Wolcott.Pumping oil and flaring gas near Williston, July 2021
Williston's economy, while historically based in agriculture and especially ranching, is increasingly being driven by the oil industry. The Williston Basin, named after the town, is a huge subterranean geologic feature known for its rich deposits of petroleum, coal, and potash.
Williston developed over the Bakken formation, which by the end of 2012 was predicted to be producing more oil than any other site in the United States, surpassing even Alaska's Prudhoe Bay, the longtime leader in domestic output in the nation.[28] The oil boom has been spurred here by the development of new technologies—such as fracking—which enabled extraction from areas previously inaccessible.
In 1995, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that there were 150 million barrels of oil "technically recoverable" from the Bakken shale. In April 2008, the number was said to be about four billion barrels; in 2010 geologists at Continental Resources, the major drilling operation in North Dakota, estimated the reserve at eight billion. In March 2012, after the discovery of a lower shelf of oil, it announced a possible 24 billion barrels. Although current technology allows for extraction of only about 6% of the oil trapped 0.99–1.99 mi (1.6–3.2 km) beneath the earth's surface, recoverable oil might eventually exceed 500 billion barrels.[28]
Williston has seen a huge increase in population and infrastructure investments during the last several years with expanded drilling using the fracking petroleum extraction technique in the Bakken Formation and Three Forks Groups.[29] Examples of oil industry-related infrastructure investments are the multi-acre branch campus of Baker Hughes and the Sand Creek Retail Center.
Williston, North Dakota Amtrak Station; the railroad is a popular way for migrants to reach the city.
A major regional grain elevator is served by the BNSF Railway. Williston's livestock arena has weekly auctions.
Lake Sakakawea – a large man-made lake located close to Williston. The lake offers plenty of recreational activities.
The Confluence – where the Missouri River and the Yellowstone River meet. A historical center, boat ramp, camp site, and bike path are located here.
Eagle Ridge Golf Club – an eighteen-hole golf course located on Highway 2 north of Williston. It measures 6,240 yards (5,710 m) from the back tees.
Williston Municipal Golf Course – a 9-hole golf course located at 3600 42nd Street West in Williston.
Cut Bluff Overlook – a historic site located about two miles (3 km) east of Williston on the south side of Highway 1804. Commemorating Lewis and Clark's campsite near Cut Bluff on the south banks of the Missouri River.
James Memorial Art Center – Originally the community library (est 1911), The James was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.It now serves as an art & cultural center for the community, offering art exhibits and art classes.[30]
Old Armory – The Old Armory was built in 1915 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[31] The Old Armory is now home to community theater non-profit organization Entertainment, Inc!, founded in 1981. Entertainment, Inc! produces five shows each year.[32]
Williston Area Recreation Center – a 234,000 square foot recreation center, built in 2014, that includes an indoor surfing, golf simulators, and a water park. There are also the more traditional tennis and basketball courts, along with turf fields and an indoor track.[33]
Sports
Williston Keybirds of North Dakota American League Baseball
Williston State College Tetons: women's and men's basketball, women's volleyball, men's ice hockey, women's softball and men's baseball.
The Links of North Dakota at Red Mike Resort – an 18-hole links course east of Williston. Golfweek ranked it 41st among America's 100 best modern courses in 1997, 75th in 1998, and 81st in 1999.[citation needed]
Coyote Clay Target League - Named the largest clay target team in the nation by USA Clay Target. The CCTL compete against teams across North Dakota, and the country, in Sporting Clays, 5-Stand, and Trap.
Trinity Christian School is a private K–12 school, and St. Joseph Catholic School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bismarck) a private K–6 school, both located in Williston.
Williston State College, on University Avenue, was founded in 1961 as the University of North Dakota—Williston (UND-W). It is a two-year public college in the North Dakota University System (NDUS). Students can earn Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, and transfer to the state universities offering four-year programs and degrees.
The Williston Public Library serves as the public library for all of Williams County. The library also has a bookmobile that serves rural schools and retirement home communities.[41] The main library also serves as a community center, hosting many groups that hold public meetings there.
The library hosts an annual fundraiser called "Table of Contents", for which local patrons create unique table arrangements and dining themes. Proceeds are used to purchase equipment for local organizations that hold public meetings at the library.[42] Numerous public events, including voting stations, are regularly held at the library.
The first Williston Public Library was completed in town in 1911, opening February 27, 1911, and it operated as the only facility until 1983. In the early 1990s the city began to address the issue of probable demolition of this aged building to replace it with one meeting modern needs.
In 1993 a concerned group of citizens formed the James Memorial Preservation Society to save the historic building and develop it as a center for the visual arts. After the library moved to a new building on Davidson Drive, this structure became known as the James Memorial Art Center. It was adapted for use as an art gallery and event center.[43] The James Memorial Art Center now hosts an annual Art Fest, art classes for youth and adults, and exhibits by local, national, and international artists.
Media
A woman photographed in Williston in 1937 by Russell Lee
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, KXMD and KUMV were rebroadcast across Saskatchewan as part of that region's first terrestrial-based cable television system. By 1984, however, the Williston signals had been replaced by those of similar stations in Detroit.
FedEx Express of Memphis, TN, provides cargo flights to and from the Williston, ND Airport and Grand Forks, ND (GFK) airport utilizing Cessna 208B Caravans with CargoMaster cargo pods. These flights run Monday through Saturday. The Saturday service has an early cutoff time and pickups are limited to in-town stops and drop box locations only.
US 2 runs through the city. US 85 bypasses the city to the northwest, and US 85B bypasses the city to the northeast. ND 1804 runs through the southern portion of the city and is concurrent with US 2 between 143rd Avenue, and 2nd Street.
Public Transit
Demand response service is provided by Northwest Dakota Public Transit, a service of the Williston Council for the Aging, Inc.[45] There is no fixed-route bus service in the city, making Williston the largest city in North Dakota without such service.
Health care
Williston clinics include Craven-Hagan Clinic, Fairlight Medical Center, and Trinity Community Clinic-Western Dakota. Fairlight has the only Veteran's Affairs clinic in northwestern North Dakota and also serves residents of northeastern Montana. Fairlight includes a walk-in clinic with four health care professionals. Mercy Medical Center is the Williston hospital. It provides 24-hour emergency and trauma care but lacks a walk-in clinic.
Mercy Medical Center is home to the Leonard P. Nelson Family Cancer Treatment Center (est. 1996), providing oncology services in the region for the past seventeen years to an area of a 100-mile radius. Patients receive treatment for a wide variety of cancers including breast, gynecologic, head and neck, lung and prostate. Mercy Medical Center broke ground August 24, 2012 on an expanded cancer treatment facility. Improvements include the installation of a highly specialized linear accelerator to increase precision radiation therapy treatment delivery with decreased patient treatment time. The grand opening was October 7, 2013.[46]
Mercy Medical Center was named among the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the United States by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in September 2012.[47]
^"Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^John Matzko, Reconstructing Fort Union (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2001), 26; Ben Innis, Sagas of the Smoky-Water (Williston, ND: privately published, 1985), 344.
^Wick, Douglas A. (1988). North Dakota PlaceNames. Bismarck, North Dakota: Hedemarken Collectibles. ISBN0-9620968-0-6. OCLC191277027.
^Williams, Mary Ann (Barnes) (1966). Origins of North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck, North Dakota: Bismarck Tribune, 1966. OCLC431626.
^Jackson, William (2024). North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones. Dickinson, ND: Valley Star Publications. p. 98. ISBN979-8-89480-378-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
^ ab"Station: Williston Sloulin INTL AP, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
