Williston city, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Williston city, North Dakota has a total population of 27,964, the 6th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $84,309, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Williston city Quick Facts
How Williston city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Williston city Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Williams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tioga city | 1,525 | $62,315 | 10.0% | $196,800 |
| Ray city | 762 | $69,792 | 9.7% | $211,500 |
| Grenora city | 323 | N/A | 19.5% | $103,800 |
| Wildrose city | 147 | $92,727 | 9.5% | $108,900 |
| Epping city | 136 | $64,420 | 0.8% | $208,900 |
| Alamo city | 50 | $55,781 | 6.0% | $112,500 |
| Springbrook city | 30 | $250,001 | 33.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Williston city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson city | 25,216 | $76,964 | $252,400 | 27.4% | 11.8% |
| Mandan city | 24,293 | $75,966 | $246,300 | 30.6% | 8.3% |
| West Fargo city | 39,325 | $96,877 | $302,200 | 45.2% | 6.1% |
| Minot city | 47,922 | $77,431 | $254,400 | 29.9% | 9.7% |
| Jamestown city | 15,774 | $54,809 | $192,500 | 22.1% | 13.8% |
Population Overview
Williston city is a mid-sized community located in North Dakota, within Williams County. The total population is 27,964. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 401 cities and towns in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Williston city is 31.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 35.7 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Williston city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Williston city is $84,309. This is 11% higher than the state median of $75,949. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 7% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $262,700. Housing costs are 9% higher than the state median of $241,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 50.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 63.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Williston city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.1% vs 3.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.9% vs 4.5%).
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 32.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Williston city, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 401 Census-designated places in North Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Williston city, North Dakota?
Williston city, North Dakota has a population of 27,964 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Williston city, ND?
The median household income in Williston city is $84,309, which is 7% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Williston city, ND?
The poverty rate in Williston city is 8.6%. This means approximately 2,381 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Williston city, North Dakota?
Williston city's population is 74.9% White, 7.1% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Williston city, ND?
The median home value in Williston city is $262,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Williston city, North Dakota?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Williston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.