City · North Dakota
Watford City, North Dakota
Watford City, city, in McKenzie County, North Dakota. Watford City had 6,378 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,207 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,039 (±29). GEOID 3883860.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,378
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,207 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,039 ±29
Median household income
$102,260
±$27,776 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $76,657
Median home value
$408,500
±$40,969 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $249,900
Median gross rent
$1,336
±$74 (90% margin)
North Dakota: $954
Where is Watford City and what county is it in?
Watford City is a city in McKenzie County, North Dakota. It covers 8.9 square miles of land, 696 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Watford City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,378 people lived in Watford City on July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, in line with North Dakota (+2.6%). The 2020 Census counted 6,207 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,039 (±29).
| Measure | Watford City | McKenzie County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,039 ±29 | 14,321 | −873 |
| Households | 2,629 ±243 | 5,997 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26 ±0.21 | 2.34 | −0.32 |
| Housing units | 3,491 ±314 | 7,752 | −654 |
Watford City's population since 2000
From 1,435 in 2000 to 6,378 in 2025: up 344.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Watford City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Watford City?
The median resident of Watford City is 28.8 years old; 29.7% are under 18 and 5.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 24.5%. 9.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Watford City | McKenzie County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.8 ±1.0 | 31.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 29.7% ±4.2 pts | 31.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 5.1% ±2.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Male | 55.9% ±4.6 pts | 53.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.5% ±2.5 pts | 12.1% | +10.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.6% ±4.1 pts | 73.7% | −11.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±2.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±2.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±2.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.7% ±4.2 pts | 5.0% | +5.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.7% ±4.4 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.3% ±3.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 6.1% ±2.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7% ±3.3 pts | 10.9% | −6.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.8% ±5.7 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.9% ±6.8 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.3% ±2.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 68.8% ±8.3 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 15.4% ±7.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Watford City earn?
Half of Watford City's 2,629 households earn less than $102,260 a year (±$27,776), against $93,404 in McKenzie County and $76,657 in North Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $92,052 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Watford City | McKenzie County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $102,260 ±$27,776 | $93,404 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $128,426 ±$17,829 | $136,029 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,675 ±$7,890 | $51,333 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.8% ±4.9 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.8% ±6.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.8% ±4.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.8% ±1.9 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0% ±6.0 pts | 89.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Watford City?
Owners occupy 29.3% of Watford City's occupied homes and renters 70.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $408,500 by its owner (±$40,969). The median renter pays $1,336 a month including utilities, and 17.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Watford City | McKenzie County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $408,500 ±$40,969 | $349,600 | +$117,564 |
| Median gross rent | $1,336 ±$74 | $1,284 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 17.2% ±10.6 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,369 ±$332 | $2,274 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 29.3% ±7.9 pts | 53.4% | −16.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 70.7% ±7.9 pts | 46.6% | – |
| Housing units | 3,491 ±314 | 7,752 | −654 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 19.9% ±6.8 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 23.6% ±5.9 pts | 46.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.3% ±3.1 pts | 18.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 68.4% ±8.6 pts | 54.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.1% ±1.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.5% ±4.1 pts | 5.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Watford City building?
Builders took permits for 17 new housing units in Watford City in 2025 (17 in single-family houses), 2.7 per 1,000 residents against 3.1 across North Dakota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Watford City work and get to work?
77.1% of Watford City's workers drive alone and 7.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.8 minutes.
| Measure | Watford City | McKenzie County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 80.1% ±5.4 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.6% ±1.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 77.1% ±7.6 pts | 78.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.8% ±5.8 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±1.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.9% ±4.9 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.8 min ±4.7 | 22.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Watford City?
1 census tract lies mostly in Watford City, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9624McKenzie County | 5,166 | $91,745 |
| Tract 9623.01McKenzie County | 4,067 | $101,984 |
| Tract 9623.02McKenzie County | 1,819 | $132,188 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Watford City) · Census block assignment files
How does Watford City compare with other places in North Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Watford City is the 4,287th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 14th-most populous of 355 in North Dakota.
Watford City ranks 16th of 64 places in North Dakota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 14th | 355 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 14th | 62 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd | 67 |
| Median household income | 16th | 64 |
| Per capita income | 9th | 67 |
| Median home value | 7th | 59 |
| Median gross rent | 9th | 56 |
| Poverty rate | 38th | 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 59th | 65 |
| Median age | 55th | 67 |
| Owner-occupied share | 62nd | 64 |
| Work from home | 13th | 32 |
| Travel time to work | 11th | 67 |
Watford City's figures with every place in North Dakota (CSV)
Every place in North Dakota, sortable · Compare Watford City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Watford City?
16 of the 57 figures for Watford City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Watford City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Watford City.