Williston, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Williston, North Dakota had a total population of 28,056, the 6th largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $79,381, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Williston Quick Facts
How Williston 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 | 27,964 | 28,056 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $84,309 | $79,381 | -5.8% |
| Median home value | $262,700 | $286,200 | +8.9% |
How Williston 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+)
Williston Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Williams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tioga | 1,657 | $66,181 | 8.0% | $199,600 |
| Ray | 714 | $72,031 | 12.3% | $227,600 |
| Grenora | 408 | N/A | 16.2% | $97,200 |
| Trenton | 406 | $107,417 | 1.7% | $305,400 |
| Wildrose | 260 | $95,536 | 19.6% | $113,800 |
| Epping | 124 | $67,174 | 1.7% | $209,000 |
| McGregor | 108 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Blacktail | 93 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Alamo | 47 | $58,333 | 6.4% | $108,300 |
| Long Creek | 38 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Williston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson | 25,357 | $82,696 | $263,700 | 31.9% | 13.6% |
| Mandan | 24,522 | $71,780 | $259,800 | 30.2% | 9.8% |
| West Fargo | 40,094 | $90,665 | $321,900 | 42.1% | 8.8% |
| Minot | 47,791 | $73,219 | $257,100 | 29.7% | 11.1% |
| Jamestown | 15,787 | $56,554 | $199,800 | 24.0% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Williston is a mid-sized community located in North Dakota, within Williams County. The total population is 28,056. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Williston is 32.0 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Williston is $79,381. This is 4% higher than the state median of $76,657. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $286,200. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $249,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 47.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Williston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.4% vs 3.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 4.7%).
Education
25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Williston, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Williston, North Dakota?
Williston, North Dakota has a population of 28,056 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Williston, ND?
The median household income in Williston is $79,381, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Williston, ND?
The poverty rate in Williston is 8.1%. This means approximately 2,244 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Williston, North Dakota?
Williston's population is 73.6% White, 6.4% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Williston, ND?
The median home value in Williston is $286,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Williston, North Dakota?
25.8% of adults (25+) in Williston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.