Williams County, North Dakota

Williams County is located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 22,398.[1] Its county seat is Williston.[2] Between 2010 and 2019, according to Census Bureau estimates, it was the second fastest growing county in the United States, trailing only neighboring McKenzie County, to its south.

Williams County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°21′N 103°29′W
Country United States
State North Dakota
Founded1891
Named forErastus Appleman Williams
SeatWilliston
Largest cityWilliston
Area
 • Total2,148 sq mi (5,560 km2)
 • Land2,077 sq mi (5,380 km2)
 • Water70 sq mi (200 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total22,398
 • Estimate 
(2018)
37,589
 • Density10/sq mi (4.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.williamsnd.com

The Williston Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Williams County. The Micropolitan Statistical Area is the fastest-growing Primary Statistical Area, growing 67.8% in population from 2010 to 2019.

In 2014, Williams County had the lowest percentage of unemployed people of any county in the United States, at 1.2 percent.[3]

History

There have been two Williams counties in the history of North Dakota. The first, created in 1873, was located south of the Missouri River near where Dunn and Mercer counties are today. This county continued to exist through North Dakota statehood, and even while the second Williams County was created in 1891. The first Williams County was extinguished by a county referendum on November 8, 1892; part of its territory was absorbed by Mercer County and the rest reverted to unorganized territory.

The second Williams County was created by the North Dakota legislature on March 2, 1891, from the previous counties of Buford and Flannery, which were dissolved. The government of this county was organized on December 8, 1891. This county's boundaries were altered in 1910, when a portion of its territory was annexed to create Divide County. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.[4]

The county is named for Erastus Appleman Williams, who served in the Dakota Territory legislature and the North Dakota legislature.[5]

Geography

Williams County lies on the west edge of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Montana. The Missouri River flows eastward along the county's south boundary line. Horse Creek and Willow Creek flow to the west across the upper portion of the county. The terrain consists of isolated hills amid rolling hilly semi-arid stretches. The area is partly devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain is highest across its midpoint, and slopes to the NW and SE. Its highest point is a hill near the NE corner, at 2,470' (753m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 2,148 square miles (5,560 km2), of which 2,077 square miles (5,380 km2) is land and 70 square miles (180 km2) (3.3%) is water.[8] It is the fourth-largest county in North Dakota by area.

Lake Sakakawea, a reservoir on the Missouri River, is situated on the southern boundary of the county. Little Muddy Creek is entirely within Williams County. The confluence of the Yellowstone River with the Missouri is west of Williston.

The Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is located in Williams County along the Missouri River on the Montana border.

Williams County is one of several western North Dakota counties with significant exposure to the Bakken formation in the Williston Basin.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[6]

Lakes[6]
  • Alkali Lake
  • Blacktail Lake
  • Cottonwood Lake
  • Epping Dam
  • Green Lake
  • Helle Slough
  • Holm Lake
  • Lake Trenton
  • Lake Zahl
  • McLeod Lake
  • Shirley Lake
  • Tioga River Dam
  • Twin Lakes

KotaRay Dam

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
188014—
1890109678.6%
19001,5301,303.7%
191014,234830.3%
192017,98026.3%
193019,5538.7%
194016,315−16.6%
195016,4420.8%
196022,05134.1%
197019,301−12.5%
198022,23715.2%
199021,129−5.0%
200019,761−6.5%
201022,39813.3%
2019 (est.)37,589[9]67.8%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2019[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 19,761 people, 8,095 households, and 5,261 families in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 9,680 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.95% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 4.40% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 48.3% were of Norwegian and 22.0% German ancestry.

There were 8,095 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. Of all households 30.9% were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,491, and the median income for a family was $39,065. Males had a median income of $29,884 versus $19,329 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,763. About 9.6% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 22,398 people, 9,293 households, and 5,746 families in the county.[14] The population density was 10.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.2/km2). There were 10,464 housing units at an average density of 5.0 per square mile (1.9/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 46.2% were of Norwegian, 35.9% of German, 9.8% of Irish, 4.5% of Swedish and 4.4% of English ancestry.[16]

Of the 9,293 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.0 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $55,396 and the median income for a family was $67,875. Males had a median income of $50,735 versus $27,071 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,153. About 4.7% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Media
  • The Williston Herald

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships
  • Athens
  • Barr Butte
  • Big Meadow
  • Big Stone
  • Blacktail
  • Blue Ridge
  • Bonetraill
  • Brooklyn
  • Buford
  • Bull Butte
  • Champion
  • Climax
  • Cow Creek
  • Dry Fork
  • Dublin
  • East Fork
  • Ellisville
  • Equality
  • Farmvale
  • Golden Valley
  • Good Luck
  • Grenora
  • Hardscrabble
  • Hazel
  • Hebron
  • Judson
  • Lindahl
  • Marshall
  • Missouri Ridge
  • Mont
  • New Home
  • Oliver
  • Orthell
  • Pherrin
  • Pleasant Valley
  • Rainbow
  • Rock Island
  • Round Prairie
  • Sauk Valley
  • Scorio
  • South Meadow
  • Springbrook
  • Stony Creek
  • Strandahl
  • Tioga
  • Trenton
  • Truax
  • Twelve Mile
  • Tyrone
  • View
  • West Bank
  • Wheelock
  • Williston
  • Winner

Defunct townships

Politics

Williams County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 81.9% 11,739 15.1% 2,169 2.0% 426
2016 78.6% 10,069 13.6% 1,735 7.8% 1,003
2012 73.3% 7,184 23.7% 2,322 3.1% 302
2008 67.1% 6,291 31.2% 2,921 1.7% 161
2004 70.3% 6,278 28.1% 2,512 1.6% 139
2000 66.4% 5,187 29.9% 2,330 3.7% 290
1996 45.8% 3,590 38.5% 3,018 15.7% 1,232
1992 37.0% 3,664 30.3% 3,008 32.7% 3,245
1988 57.9% 5,653 41.0% 4,004 1.1% 111
1984 70.9% 8,166 27.6% 3,177 1.6% 180
1980 65.9% 6,530 25.7% 2,545 8.4% 829
1976 48.7% 4,230 48.2% 4,189 3.1% 273
1972 59.9% 4,800 37.3% 2,989 2.8% 225
1968 51.5% 3,980 42.2% 3,263 6.3% 483
1964 36.5% 3,076 63.4% 5,352 0.1% 11
1960 49.0% 4,492 51.0% 4,683 0.0% 2
1956 50.1% 4,188 49.7% 4,157 0.2% 19
1952 58.5% 4,307 40.7% 2,999 0.8% 61
1948 38.8% 2,133 46.8% 2,571 14.4% 791
1944 36.6% 2,217 61.8% 3,748 1.6% 98
1940 34.3% 2,470 63.5% 4,579 2.3% 162
1936 13.7% 1,021 65.6% 4,903 20.7% 1,549
1932 21.9% 1,509 70.1% 4,823 8.0% 552
1928 57.3% 3,591 39.9% 2,503 2.8% 178
1924 36.8% 1,865 6.1% 308 57.2% 2,900
1920 65.3% 3,768 23.1% 1,330 11.6% 671
1916 28.3% 903 55.4% 1,769 16.3% 521
1912 24.1% 549 30.5% 696 45.4% 1,035[20]
1908 60.4% 1,979 31.6% 1,034 8.0% 263
1904 70.9% 825 27.2% 316 1.9% 22
1900 72.0% 249 27.5% 95 0.6% 2

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Labor Force Data by County, 2014 Annual Averages". US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  4. "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  5. "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  6. Williams County ND Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)
  7. ""Find an Altitude/Williams County ND" Google Maps (accessed 19 February 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  14. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  16. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  17. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  18. US Census Bureau: Boundary Changes
  19. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  20. The leading "other" candidate, Socialist Eugene Debs received 588 votes, while Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 402 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 45 votes.

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