Population 33,589 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Williston
Household size in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.26 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.39 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.36 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.65 | 2.38 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.39 | +0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.65 people per household, Williston sits right at the national average. The typical household here is bigger than in North Dakota overall, where it has 2.38 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.26, even as the national average fell. Only one other North Dakota city with 5,000+ people has larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.6 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.7 | 37.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.8 | 37.4 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.8 | 37.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | −4.9 | −0.8 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.8, Williston is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 37.6, even as the national median rose. Of the 14 North Dakota cities with 5,000+ people, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 8.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.2% | 8.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in ten households in Williston (10.7%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in North Dakota as a whole (8.8%). The single-parent share is up 1.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Williston
Renters in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.2% | 33.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 33.5% | 34.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.0% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 49.6% | 37.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +17.4 pts | +3.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Williston than nationally: 49.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among owners, 49.5% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northeast; owners are most common in the south. The renter share is up 17.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.4% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.9% | 13.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.0% | 12.0% | 9.6% |
| Change | +15.8 pts | +1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Williston: 25.0% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 15.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1976 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1993 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +19 | +11 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Williston is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1992, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $572 | $573 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $725 | $716 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $953 | $862 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,091 | $1,031 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$520 | +$458 | +$606 |
Rent in Williston runs $1,091 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in North Dakota overall ($1,031). Rent has climbed $520 a month since 2006–10, up 91%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 24.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Williston
Bachelor's degrees in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.2% | 27.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.6% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 31.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.3% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +6.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Williston have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 23.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 3.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 14 North Dakota cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.4% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.7% | 91.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.7% | 92.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 94.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Williston is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of North Dakota. The share with a diploma has risen 3.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Williston
| Period | Williston | North Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.1% | 3.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 1.2% | 3.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.2% | 2.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 2.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.7%, unemployment in Williston is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is higher than in North Dakota overall (2.8%). Unemployment has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Williston compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williston | 2.65 | 32.8 | 10.7% | 49.6% | 25.0% | 1992 | $1,091 | 23.3% | 93.5% | 4.7% |
| Springbrook | 2.85 | 35.7 | 11.4% | 29.9% | 28.7% | 1999 | $1,116 | 17.1% | 90.2% | 4.2% |
| Trenton | 3.16 | 30.1 | 4.9% | 27.2% | 24.4% | 2000 | $999 | 29.9% | 91.2% | 0.9% |
| Epping | 2.79 | 36.9 | 10.9% | 29.3% | 28.3% | 1996 | $1,116 | 17.0% | 89.3% | 4.1% |
| Buford | 2.91 | 33.8 | 3.8% | 20.3% | 22.7% | 1997 | $1,188 | 28.8% | 90.8% | 0.8% |
| Wheelock | 2.74 | 37.5 | 10.7% | 27.0% | 27.1% | 1995 | $1,152 | 15.9% | 89.7% | 3.6% |
| Alexander | 2.27 | 38.3 | 0.6% | 30.9% | 17.4% | 1984 | $2,074 | 13.9% | 91.0% | 0.3% |
| Charbonneau | 2.20 | 40.4 | 1.0% | 35.6% | 15.0% | 1982 | $2,088 | 15.3% | 94.0% | 0.2% |
| Ray | 2.60 | 41.4 | 8.9% | 24.3% | 27.1% | 1987 | $1,079 | 16.3% | 87.7% | 3.6% |
| Cartwright | 2.12 | 42.2 | 1.1% | 33.0% | 14.8% | 1981 | $2,093 | 17.0% | 95.1% | 0.3% |
| Alamo | 2.25 | 49.5 | 3.2% | 8.9% | 27.4% | 1972 | $814 | 11.7% | 94.2% | 1.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lenoir, NC · Spring Valley, CA · Spotsylvania, VA · Ossining, NY · Orange, NJ · Opelousas, LA · Ooltewah, TN · Media, PA · Lockport, IL · Lexington, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Williston. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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