Williams County, North Dakota

Williams County: County in North Dakota, United States

About

Williams County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,398 and a population density of 10 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 38,700 inhabitants. Its county seat is Williston. The county was created 133 years ago in 1890.

Williams County is located in western North Dakota along the border with Montana. As of 2020, the population was 38,700. The county seat is Williston, which had a population of 14,716 as of 2020.

Some key facts about Williams County:

  • Williams County was created in 1891 and named for E.W. Williams, a railroad surveyor and early legislator in North Dakota.
  • The economy of Williams County is primarily driven by oil production from the Williston Basin Formation and the Bakken Formation.
  • Williston serves as the retail hub for western North Dakota’s oil boom region. Major employers include oil and gas companies as well as retail and construction firms.
  • The Missouri River forms the northern border of Williams County. Popular recreational activities include fishing, boating, and camping.
  • Lake Sakakawea, a large reservoir on the Missouri River, stretches through the northeastern part of Williams County.
  • Williams County contains 10 organized townships and 7 incorporated cities including Williston, Ray, and Tioga.
  • The county has experienced rapid population growth since 2010 due to the increase in oil industry jobs.

Williams County is at the heart of North Dakota’s oil industry, with a rapidly growing economy and population. The Missouri River valley provides recreation mixed with oil fields and wide open plains across the county's landscape.

Williams County locator map
Location of Williams County on North Dakota map.

Quick Facts about Williams County

Population : 38,700 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : North Dakota (United States)
Different from : Williams County, Williamsburg County, Williamsburg
Area : 2148 km2
Water as percent of area : 3.3%
Land as percent of area : 96.7%
Capital : Williston
Establishment : January 01, 1891
Time Zone : America/Chicago
Local time : 02:32:15 (29th March 2024)
Density : 18 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 42.12% (2010-2020)
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Geography

Williams County is located at 48°20'37"N 103°28'49"W (48.3436800, -103.4802100). It has 6 neighbors: Roosevelt County, Sheridan County, Burke County, Divide County, McKenzie County and Mountrail County.

Williams County map

The largest city of Williams County is Ray with a population of 943. Other cities include, Trenton population 762, Williston population 706, Wildrose population 155 and Epping population 147. See all Williams County cities & populated places.

Williams County Populated Places

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Williams County.

City Name Population Title
Ray 943 City in North Dakota, USA
Trenton 762 Unincorporated community in North Dakota
Williston 706 City in Williams County, North Dakota, United States of America
Wildrose 155 City in Williams County, North Dakota, United States
Epping 147 City in Williams County, North Dakota, USA
Buford 113 Unincorporated community in North Dakota
Tioga 100 City in Williams County, North Dakota, United States
Wheelock 93 Township in Williams County, North Dakota
Alamo 81 City in Williams County, North Dakota in the United States
Hamlet 44 City in North Dakota, United States
Bonetraill 24 Township in Williams County, North Dakota
Grenora 11 City in Williams County, North Dakota, United States of America

Williams County has 6 neighbours.

  • Williston

Demographics

The population of Williams County increased by 42.12% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 22,398 - census
2011 24,406 8.23% estimation process
2012 26,735 8.71% estimation process
2013 29,591 9.65% estimation process
2014 32,106 7.83% estimation process
2015 35,301 9.05% estimation process
2016 34,213 -3.18% estimation process
2017 33,467 -2.23% estimation process
2018 35,469 5.64% estimation process
2019 37,589 5.64% estimation process
2020 38,700 2.87% estimation process

Comitatul Williams, Comte de Williams, Comté de Williams, Condado de Williams, Condado han Williams, Contea di Williams, Hrabstwo Williams, Okrug Vilijams, Quan Williams, Quận Williams, Uil'jams, Uiljams, Vil'jams, Williams, Williams Kun, Williams Kūn, Williams konderria, Williams megye, Williamsi maakond, mqatʿt wylymz, shhrstan wylyamz dakwtay shmaly, u'iliyamasa ka'unti, u~iriamuzu jun, wei lian si xian, Вільямс, Округ Вилијамс, Уильямс, Уилямс, شهرستان ویلیامز، داکوتای شمالی, مقاطعة ويليمز, ولیمز کاؤنٹی، شمالی ڈکوٹا, উইলিয়ামস কাউন্টি, ウィリアムズ郡, 威廉斯縣

Other places with the same name (2)

North Dakota Other Counties (more counties)

County Name Population Title
Cass County 183,904 County in Minnesota, United States
Burleigh County 96,212 County in North Dakota, United States
Bismarck 74,018 The capital of North Dakota.
Grand Forks County 69,481 County in North Dakota, United States
Ward County 68,466 County in North Dakota, United States
Minot 47,428 The most populous city in Ward County, North Dakota.
West Fargo 38,194 City in North Dakota, United States of America
Stark County 32,107 County in North Dakota, United States
Morton County 31,503 County in North Dakota, United States
Dickinson 23,527 City in North Dakota
Stutsman County 20,498 County in North Dakota, United States
Richland County 16,156 County in North Dakota, United States
McKenzie County 15,242 County in North Dakota, United States
Jamestown 14,930 City in Stutsman County, North Dakota, United States
Rolette County 14,165 County in North Dakota, United States
Ramsey County 11,388 County in North Dakota, United States