Watford City, North Dakota
City
Main Street Watford City
Main Street Watford City
Motto: 
"Come be our guest"
Location in North Dakota
Location in North Dakota
Coordinates: 47°48′10″N 103°16′04″W / 47.80278°N 103.26778°W / 47.80278; -103.26778
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Dakota
CountyMcKenzie
Founded1914
IncorporatedJune 1915
Government
 • MayorPhil Riely
Area
[1]
 • Total9.06 sq mi (23.46 km2)
 • Land8.98 sq mi (23.25 km2)
 • Water0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2)
Elevation
[2]
2,054 ft (626 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total6,207
 • Estimate 
(2022)[4]
5,885
 • Density691.43/sq mi (266.97/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
58854
Area code701
FIPS code38-83860
GNIS feature ID1036317[2]
HighwaysUS 85, ND 23, ND 23 Alt.
Websitecityofwatfordcity.com

Watford City (Hidatsa: abaʔaruʔush),[5] founded in 1914, is a city in and the county seat of McKenzie County, North Dakota, United States.[6] The population was 6,207 at the 2020 census,[3] making it the 13th most populous city in North Dakota. Because Watford City is part of the Bakken field, the North Dakota oil boom has significantly increased population and construction since the 2010 census.[7]

The main offices of Frontier Energy Group, First International Bank, and the headquarters of McKenzie Electric Cooperative are in Watford City. The local newspaper is the McKenzie County Farmer.

History

In 1913, a few prospective businessmen located on the townsite of the future Watford City in anticipation of the arrival of the first Great Northern Railroad train. The Northern Land and Townsite Company, a division of the Great Northern, platted the town and sold lots in June 1914. Building began immediately, and many businesses and homes were moved from Schafer, which eventually became a ghost town. Watford was incorporated in June 1915, and was named by Vaughan G. Morris (1879–1940) for his hometown of Watford, Ontario.[8][9] A year later the town added "City" to its name to differentiate itself from Wolford in Pierce County.[10]

The Great Northern planned to extend its line to New Rockford and in 1914 began building the "Madson Grade," one of the longest dirt filled railroad grades in the country about a mile west of town. Two years later the grade was ninety feet high and nearly a mile long, but the project was abandoned shortly before the United States entered World War I.[8]

Village officers were elected in 1915, and they concerned themselves with such tasks as impounding stray horses and cattle, prohibiting swine and chickens from town, locating hitching posts, and removing hay stacks from Main Street.[8] The town had a band and baseball team from its founding. A school and several churches were also constructed almost immediately. During the Great Depression, a water and sanitary system was completed using labor mostly paid by the Public Works Administration.[8]

In 1940, Watford City won a hotly contested campaign for county seat, defeating Alexander and Arnegard and taking the prize from Schafer. At first there was difficulty finding suitable office space, and a recently constructed hospital was sold to the county for use as a courthouse. A new hospital was dedicated in 1952.[8] Watford City Air Force Station (formally Alexander) was opened nearby in 1979.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.41 square miles (3.65 km2), of which 1.40 square miles (3.63 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920260—
1930769195.8%
19401,02333.0%
19501,37134.0%
19601,86536.0%
19701,768−5.2%
19802,11919.9%
19901,784−15.8%
20001,435−19.6%
20101,74421.5%
20206,207255.9%
2022 (est.)5,885[4]−5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
2020 Census[3]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,744 people, 733 households, and 445 families living in the city. The population density was 1,245.7 inhabitants per square mile (481.0/km2). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 623.6 per square mile (240.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 0.1% African American, 3.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9%.

Of the 733 households 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.7% of households were one person and 15.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age was 40.2 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.1% male and 48.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,435 people, 619 households, and 378 families living in the city. The population density was 964.8 inhabitants per square mile (372.5/km2). There were 790 housing units at an average density of 531.2 per square mile (205.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.91% White, 0.21% African American, 3.83% Native American, 0.07% Asian, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

Of the 619 households 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.5% of households were one person and 22.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 24.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median household income was $29,688 and the median family income was $36,850. Males had a median income of $32,250 versus $21,193 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,084. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Sites of interest

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Watford City has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[13] The wettest time of year is late spring to early summer; winter is the driest season. Temperature variation between seasons is significant.

Climate data for Watford City, North Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1912–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 60
(16)		 64
(18)		 81
(27)		 92
(33)		 103
(39)		 110
(43)		 112
(44)		 111
(44)		 103
(39)		 96
(36)		 77
(25)		 66
(19)		 112
(44)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 21.6
(−5.8)		 26.2
(−3.2)		 38.8
(3.8)		 53.1
(11.7)		 64.8
(18.2)		 74.1
(23.4)		 82.2
(27.9)		 81.6
(27.6)		 71.1
(21.7)		 54.7
(12.6)		 38.0
(3.3)		 26.2
(−3.2)		 52.7
(11.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 13.4
(−10.3)		 17.2
(−8.2)		 28.8
(−1.8)		 41.8
(5.4)		 53.5
(11.9)		 63.5
(17.5)		 70.0
(21.1)		 68.5
(20.3)		 58.0
(14.4)		 43.7
(6.5)		 29.0
(−1.7)		 18.0
(−7.8)		 42.1
(5.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 5.1
(−14.9)		 8.1
(−13.3)		 18.8
(−7.3)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 42.1
(5.6)		 52.9
(11.6)		 57.9
(14.4)		 55.4
(13.0)		 44.9
(7.2)		 32.6
(0.3)		 20.0
(−6.7)		 9.9
(−12.3)		 31.5
(−0.3)
Record low °F (°C) −45
(−43)		 −44
(−42)		 −30
(−34)		 −13
(−25)		 12
(−11)		 19
(−7)		 32
(0)		 29
(−2)		 10
(−12)		 −7
(−22)		 −22
(−30)		 −36
(−38)		 −45
(−43)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.50
(13)		 0.41
(10)		 0.63
(16)		 0.96
(24)		 2.38
(60)		 3.44
(87)		 2.63
(67)		 1.35
(34)		 1.16
(29)		 1.04
(26)		 0.60
(15)		 0.55
(14)		 15.65
(398)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.5
(24)		 8.2
(21)		 7.3
(19)		 4.2
(11)		 1.4
(3.6)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 2.9
(7.4)		 6.8
(17)		 10.1
(26)		 50.4
(128)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.9 5.7 6.5 7.6 11.1 12.6 9.4 8.6 7.3 6.6 6.1 6.9 95.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 8.1 6.3 5.0 2.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 4.6 7.5 36.2
Source: NOAA[14][15]

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Watford City, North Dakota
  3. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Hidatsa Lessons Vocab2". Hidatsa Language Program. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ↑ Shipman, Neal A. (January 30, 2013). "A Building Boom Coming". McKenzie County Farmer. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Watford City diamond jubilee, Watford City, North Dakota: 75 years of progress. Watford City, ND: The Committee. 1989. OCLC 23135720.
  9. ↑ After graduating from Wayne State University, Morris first homesteaded near Schafer and then became Watford City's first doctor. Eventually Morris moved to Beach. He is buried in a cemetery between Watford City and Schafer.
  10. ↑ Wick, Douglas A. (1988). North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck, North Dakota: Hedemarken Collectibles. ISBN 0-9620968-0-6. OCLC 191277027.
  11. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Watford City, North Dakota Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  14. ↑ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Station: Watford City, ND". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 18, 2021.

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