Watford City, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watford City, North Dakota had a total population of 6,039, the 13th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $102,260, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Dakota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Watford City Quick Facts
How Watford City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,016 | 6,039 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $88,351 | $102,260 | +15.7% |
| Median home value | $385,100 | $408,500 | +6.1% |
How Watford City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Watford City Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in McKenzie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandaree | 620 | $64,545 | 56.3% | $170,300 |
| Alexander | 255 | $121,953 | 0.4% | $229,200 |
| Arnegard | 201 | $80,536 | 13.9% | $323,800 |
| Four Bears Village | 154 | N/A | 33.8% | N/A |
| East Fairview | 137 | N/A | 37.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Watford City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley City | 6,541 | $60,339 | $162,200 | 31.4% | 16.7% |
| Lincoln | 4,381 | $87,652 | $278,900 | 17.6% | 5.6% |
| Horace | 4,588 | $138,578 | $414,500 | 45.0% | 4.3% |
| Minot AFB | 4,878 | $62,500 | N/A | 29.9% | 1.2% |
| Wahpeton | 8,010 | $62,750 | $171,300 | 23.1% | 15.6% |
Population Overview
Watford City is a small city located in North Dakota, within McKenzie County. The total population is 6,039. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watford City is 28.8 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 35.9 years. With 29.7% of the population under 18, Watford City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watford City is $102,260. This is 33% higher than the state median of $76,657. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $408,500. Housing costs are 63% higher than the state median of $249,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 29.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 53% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watford City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.5% vs 4.7%).
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 32.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watford City, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Watford City, North Dakota?
Watford City, North Dakota has a population of 6,039 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watford City, ND?
The median household income in Watford City is $102,260, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watford City, ND?
The poverty rate in Watford City is 7.8%. This means approximately 462 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watford City, North Dakota?
Watford City's population is 66.6% White, 2.5% Black, 24.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watford City, ND?
The median home value in Watford City is $408,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Watford City, North Dakota?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Watford City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.