Editing Watford City, North Dakota

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Watford City, North Dakota
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_blank_emblem = WatfordCityNDlogo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 135px
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "Come be our guest"
<!-- Images --------------->
| image_skyline      = Main Street-Watford City.jpg
| imagesize          = 275px
| image_caption      = Main Street Watford City
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
| image_map          = ND McKenzie County Watford City.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in McKenzie County and the state of [[North Dakota]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
<!-- Location ------------->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in North Dakota|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Dakota]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie]]
<!-- Government ----------->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Phil Riely
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1914
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1  = June 1915
<!-- Area ----------------->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024">{{cite web |title=2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files: North Dakota|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_place_38.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=April 3, 2025}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 8.994
| area_land_sq_mi    = 8.915
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.079
<!-- Population ----------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 6020
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 6207
| population_density_km2 = 258.9
| population_density_sq_mi = 671.0
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = –6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = –5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 626
| elevation_ft       = 2054
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|48|10|N|103|16|04|W|region:US-ND_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 58854
| area_code          = [[Area code 701|701]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 38-83860
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1036317<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1036317}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[List of North Dakota numbered highways|Highways]]
| blank2_info        = [[US 85]], [[North Dakota Highway 23|ND 23]], ND 23 Alt.
| blank3_name        = [[Sales tax]]
| blank3_info        = 6.5%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/north-dakota/cities/watford-city.html|title=Watford City (ND) sales tax rate|access-date=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|cityofwatfordcity.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Watford City''' ([[Hidatsa language|Hidatsa]]: '''abaʔaruʔush'''),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hidatsa Lessons Vocab2|work=Hidatsa Language Program|access-date=July 17, 2012|url=http://www.neiu.edu/~linguist/hidatsa_lessons_vocab2.html#villages_dwellings_and_towns_i|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606135144/http://www.neiu.edu/~linguist/hidatsa_lessons_vocab2.html#villages_dwellings_and_towns_i|archive-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref> founded in 1914, is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[McKenzie County, North Dakota]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The population was 6,207 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Watford_City_city,_North_Dakota?g=160XX00US3883860 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 7, 2023}}</ref> making it the [[List of cities in North Dakota|13th most populous city in North Dakota]]. Because Watford City is part of the [[Bakken formation|Bakken field]], the [[North Dakota oil boom]] has significantly increased population and construction since the 2010 census.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordcitynd.com/?id=10&nid=2021|work=McKenzie County Farmer |title=A Building Boom Coming |first=Neal A. |last=Shipman |date=January 30, 2013|access-date=August 1, 2018 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116193439/http://www.watfordcitynd.com/?id=10&nid=2021|archive-date=January 16, 2018}}</ref>

The main offices of [[First International Bank]] and the headquarters of [[McKenzie Electric Cooperative]] are in Watford City. The local newspaper is the ''[[McKenzie County Farmer]]''.

==History==
In 1913, a few prospective businessmen located on the townsite of the future Watford City in anticipation of the arrival of the first [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railroad]] train from [[Fairview, Montana]]. The Northern Land and Townsite Company, a division of the Great Northern, platted the town and sold lots in June 1914. Building began immediately, and many businesses and homes were moved from [[Schafer, North Dakota|Schafer]], which eventually became a ghost town. Watford was incorporated in June 1915, and was named by Vaughan G. Morris (1879–1940) for his hometown of [[Watford, Ontario]].<ref name=diamond>{{cite book |title=Watford City diamond jubilee, Watford City, North Dakota: 75 years of progress |publisher= The Committee |location=Watford City, ND |year=1989 |oclc=23135720}}</ref><ref>After graduating from [[Wayne State University]], Morris first homesteaded near [[Schafer, North Dakota|Schafer]] and then became Watford City's first doctor. Eventually Morris moved to [[Beach, North Dakota|Beach]].  He is buried in a cemetery between Watford City and Schafer.</ref> A year later the town added "City" to its name to differentiate itself from [[Wolford, North Dakota|Wolford]] in [[Pierce County, North Dakota|Pierce County]].<ref name=wick>{{cite book |author= Wick, Douglas A. |title= North Dakota Place Names |year= 1988 |publisher= Hedemarken Collectibles |location= [[Bismarck, North Dakota]] |isbn=0-9620968-0-6 |oclc=191277027}}</ref>

The Great Northern planned to extend its line to [[New Rockford, North Dakota|New Rockford]] and in 1914 began building the "Madson Grade," one of the longest dirt filled railroad grades in the country about a mile west of town.  Two years later the grade was ninety feet high and nearly a mile long, but the project was abandoned shortly before the United States entered [[World War I]].<ref name=diamond/>

Village officers were elected in 1915, and they concerned themselves with such tasks as impounding stray horses and cattle, prohibiting swine and chickens from town, locating hitching posts, and removing hay stacks from Main Street.<ref name=diamond/> The town had a band and baseball team from its founding.  A school and several churches were also constructed almost immediately.  During the [[Great Depression]], a water and sanitary system was completed using labor mostly paid by the [[Public Works Administration]].<ref name=diamond/>

In 1940, Watford City won a hotly contested campaign for county seat, defeating [[Alexander, North Dakota|Alexander]] and [[Arnegard, North Dakota|Arnegard]] and taking the prize from [[Schafer, North Dakota|Schafer]]. At first there was difficulty finding suitable office space, and a recently constructed hospital was sold to the county for use as a courthouse.  A new hospital was dedicated in 1952.<ref name=diamond/>  [[Watford City Air Force Station]] (formally Alexander) was opened nearby in 1979. [[Burlington Northern Railroad]] abandoned the branch line from Fairview to Watford City in 1992.<ref>https://www.abandonedrails.com/fairview-to-watford-city</ref>

==Geography==
Watford City is in western North Dakota, in central McKenzie County. [[U.S. Route 85]] and [[North Dakota Highway 200]], running concurrently, pass south and west of the city on a bypass. [[Williston, North Dakota|Williston]] is {{convert|46|mi}} to the northwest, and [[Interstate 94]] at [[Belfield, North Dakota|Belfield]] via US 87. [[North Dakota Highway 23]] has its western terminus in Watford City and leads east {{convert|49|mi}} to [[New Town, North Dakota|New Town]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Watford City has a total area of {{convert|8.994|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|8.915|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.079|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 0.88%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/> Cherry Creek, a tributary of the [[Little Missouri River (North Dakota)|Little Missouri River]], flows through the east side of the city.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 260
|1930= 769
|1940= 1023
|1950= 1371
|1960= 1865
|1970= 1768
|1980= 2119
|1990= 1784
|2000= 1435
|2010= 1744
|2020= 6207
|estyear=2023
|estimate=6020
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 12, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Watford City Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Watford City city, North Dakota|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Watford%20City%20city,%20North%20Dakota&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Number
!Percent
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|4,311
|69.5%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|145
|2.3%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|117
|1.9%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|136
|2.2%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|5
|0.1%
|-
|[[Some Other Race]] (NH)
|38
|0.6%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|294
|4.7%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|1,161
|18.7%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''6,207'''
|'''100.0%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 6,207 people, 2,449 households, and 1,390 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Watford%20City%20city,%20North%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|691.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,512 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 73.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.6% from some other races and 10.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 18.7% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Watford City city, North Dakota |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/watford-city-city-north-dakota/160-3883860/ |access-date=June 12, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 29.2% of residents were under the age of 18, 10.5% were under 5 years of age, and 7.4% were 65 and older.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 1,744 people, 733 households, and 445 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1243.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 873 housing units at an average density of {{convert|623.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 93.6% White, 0.1% African American, 3.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9%.

Of the 733 households 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.7% of households were one person and 15.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age was 40.2 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.1% male and 48.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 1,435 people, 619 households, and 378 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|964.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 790 housing units at an average density of {{convert|531.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 94.91% White, 0.21% African American, 3.83% Native American, 0.07% Asian, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

Of the 619 households 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.5% of households were one person and 22.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median household income was $29,688 and the median family income was $36,850. Males had a median income of $32,250 versus $21,193 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,084. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==
Northwest Dakota Public Transit provides [[dial-a-ride]] transit in the city. The service, run by the Williston Council for the Aging, operates weekdays from 7:30am–4:00pm and 5:00pm–9:00pm for a $3 fare.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.willistonseniors.org/nw-public-transit|title=NW Dakota Public Transit|access-date=July 12, 2024}}</ref>

==Education==
* Watford City Elementary School
* [[Watford City High School]]

==Sites of interest==
* [[Theodore Roosevelt National Park]] (North Unit), {{convert|15|mi}} to the south
* [[Maah Daah Hey Trail]]
* McKenzie County Heritage Park
* Long X Trading Post Visitor Center
* Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County

==Climate==
This [[climate|climatic]] region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Watford City has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=332923&cityname=Watford+City,+North+Dakota,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Watford City, North Dakota Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=April 24, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921090030/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=332923&cityname=Watford+City%2C+North+Dakota%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|archive-date=September 21, 2015}}</ref> The wettest time of year is late spring to early summer; winter is the driest season. Temperature variation between seasons is significant.

{{Weather box
|location = Watford City, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1912–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 60
|Feb record high F = 64
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 111
|Sep record high F = 103
|Oct record high F = 96
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 66
|year record high F = 112
|Jan high F = 21.6
|Feb high F = 26.2
|Mar high F = 38.8
|Apr high F = 53.1
|May high F = 64.8
|Jun high F = 74.1
|Jul high F = 82.2
|Aug high F = 81.6
|Sep high F = 71.1
|Oct high F = 54.7
|Nov high F = 38.0
|Dec high F = 26.2
|year high F = 52.7
|Jan mean F = 13.4
|Feb mean F = 17.2
|Mar mean F = 28.8
|Apr mean F = 41.8
|May mean F = 53.5
|Jun mean F = 63.5
|Jul mean F = 70.0
|Aug mean F = 68.5
|Sep mean F = 58.0
|Oct mean F = 43.7
|Nov mean F = 29.0
|Dec mean F = 18.0
|year mean F = 42.1
|Jan low F = 5.1
|Feb low F = 8.1
|Mar low F = 18.8
|Apr low F = 30.5
|May low F = 42.1
|Jun low F = 52.9
|Jul low F = 57.9
|Aug low F = 55.4
|Sep low F = 44.9
|Oct low F = 32.6
|Nov low F = 20.0
|Dec low F = 9.9
|year low F = 31.5
|Jan record low F = −45
|Feb record low F = −44
|Mar record low F = -30
|Apr record low F = -13
|May record low F = 12
|Jun record low F = 19
|Jul record low F = 32
|Aug record low F = 29
|Sep record low F = 10
|Oct record low F = -7
|Nov record low F = -22
|Dec record low F = -36
|year record low F = -45
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.50
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.41
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.63
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.96
|May precipitation inch = 2.38
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.44
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.63
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.35
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.16
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.04
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.60
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.55
|year precipitation inch = 15.65
|Jan snow inch = 9.5
|Feb snow inch = 8.2
|Mar snow inch = 7.3
|Apr snow inch = 4.2
|May snow inch = 1.4
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 2.9
|Nov snow inch = 6.8
|Dec snow inch = 10.1
|year snow inch = 50.4
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.9
|Feb precipitation days = 5.7
|Mar precipitation days = 6.5
|Apr precipitation days = 7.6
|May precipitation days = 11.1
|Jun precipitation days = 12.6
|Jul precipitation days = 9.4
|Aug precipitation days = 8.6
|Sep precipitation days = 7.3
|Oct precipitation days = 6.6
|Nov precipitation days = 6.1
|Dec precipitation days = 6.9
|year precipitation days = 95.3
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 8.1
|Feb snow days = 6.3
|Mar snow days = 5.0
|Apr snow days = 2.5
|May snow days = 0.7
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 1.5
|Nov snow days = 4.6
|Dec snow days = 7.5
|year snow days = 36.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=bis
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00329233&format=pdf
| title = Station: Watford City, ND
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 18, 2021}}</ref>
|date=November 2017
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Official|cityofwatfordcity.gov}}
* [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ndsl-books/id/19532/rec/176 Watford City golden jubilee, Watford City, North Dakota: 50 years of progress (1964)] from the [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/ Digital Horizons website]

{{McKenzie County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in McKenzie County, North Dakota]]
[[Category:County seats in North Dakota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1914]]
[[Category:1914 establishments in North Dakota]]
[[Category:Cities in North Dakota]]