Community Profile:
Watford City is located in
western North Dakota and is the county seat of McKenzie County. It is surrounded by the Missouri River to the
east, Lake Sakakawea to the north, the Yellowstone River to the west, and the
Little Missouri River in Badlands county to the south. Watford City is the epicenter of the Bakken
Shale Formation, home to the north unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National
Park, and the Little Missouri National Grasslands where landscapes of natural
beauty efface with a robust economy driven by America’s energy frontier.
The 2010 US Census counted Watford City at 1,744 people. The 2017 US estimated Census counted the city
at 6,525 people. Today’s estimate on the
cusp of the 2020 US Census is around 8,000 people. In the same 2010 - 2018 time frame, McKenzie County
School District #1 located in Watford City realized K-12 enrollment growth from
581 students to 1,814.
The community is sustained by a natural
resource based economy of ranching, farming, tourism, and oil and gas energy
production. With over 500,000 acres of
public and tribal land in the Little Missouri National Grasslands, the Theodore
Roosevelt National Park, Lake Sakakawea, and the Fort Berthold Indian
Reservation, Watford City has a sizable federal employee base in addition to
its robust economy.
Watford City has developed an
extensive community plan focusing on advanced technology infrastructure,
recreation and quality of life assets, and attractive community amenities to
support employers in successfully attracting and retaining a skilled workforce
and their families.
Demographics:
2017 US
Census est. County Population: 12,724
Est. Median
Family Income: $
93,269
Median Age: 31.2
Median Value
of owner-occupied housing $
213,600
Location:
Distance in
Miles from:
Bismarck 190
Denver 600
Dickinson 89
Fargo 360
Minot 125
Minneapolis 575
Regina 245
Williston 47
Climate:
Annual Ave
Temp: 41 degrees F
Monthly Ave
Temp: January 18 degrees F
July
84 degrees F
Annual Ave
Rainfall: 14”
Annual Ave
Snowfall: 39”
K-12 Education:
“Home
of the Wolves”
Watford City Elementary Schools
Watford City Intermediate School
Watford City High School
https://www.watford-city.k12.nd.us/
Library:
McKenzie County Community Library
https://mckenziecountyndlibrary.com/
Medical:
McKenzie County Healthcare System, Inc.
https://www.mckenziehealth.com/
Recreation:
Rough Rider
Center
https://www.roughridercenter.com/
Watford City
Parks & Recreation
https://www.watfordcityparks.com/
Watford City
Parks
https://www.watfordcityparks.com/Parks
Watford
City Area Chamber of Commerce:
https://www.watfordcitychamber.com/
Official
Newspaper:
http://www.watfordcitynd.com/