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{{Short description|County in North Dakota, United States}}
{{Infobox U.S. County
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
| county = Williams County
{{Infobox U.S. county
| state = North Dakota
| county = Williams County
| seal =
| state = North Dakota
| map size = 225
| ex image = Williams County Courthouse - North Dakota.jpg
| founded year = 1891
| ex image cap = Williams County Courthouse
| founded date = December 8
| seal =
| seat wl = Williston
| founded year = 1891
| largest city wl = Williston
| founded date =
| area_total_sq_mi = 2148
| seat wl = Williston
| area_land_sq_mi = 2070
| largest city wl = Williston
| area_water_sq_mi = 78
| area_total_sq_mi = 2148
| area percentage = 3.61%
| area_land_sq_mi = 2077
| census estimate yr = 2012
| area_water_sq_mi = 70
| pop = 26,697
| area percentage = 3.3
| density_km2 = 4
| population_as_of = 2020
| time zone = Central
| population_total = 40950
| UTC offset = -6
| pop_est_as_of = 2023
| DST offset = -5
| population_est = 39113 {{decrease}}
| web = www.williamsnd.com
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| time zone = Central
| web = https://www.williamsnd.com/
| named for = Erastus Appleman Williams
| district = At-large
}}
}}


'''Williams County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Dakota]]. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 22,398.<ref name="2010 Census (County)">{{cite web|title=2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST05&prodType=table|work=American FactFinder|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=3 May 2011}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Williston, North Dakota|Williston]].{{GR|6}}
'''Williams County''' is located on the western border of the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Dakota]], next to [[Montana]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 40,950.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/williamscountynorthdakota/PST045223 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref> making it the [[List of counties in North Dakota|fifth most populous county in North Dakota]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Williston, North Dakota|Williston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>


The Williston [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]] includes all of Williams County.
The Williston [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]] includes all of Williams County. It is bordered on the south by the upper [[Missouri River]], whose confluence with its tributary [[Yellowstone River]] is located just east of the border with Montana.


==History==
==History==
There have been two Williams counties in the history of North Dakota. The first, created in 1873, was located south of the [[Missouri River]] near where [[Dunn County, North Dakota|Dunn]] and [[Mercer County, North Dakota|Mercer]] counties are today. The second Williams County was established by the 1891 [[North Dakota Legislative Assembly|state legislature]] and consists of the contemporary Williams and [[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide]] counties. The name comes from [[Erastus Appelman Williams]], an early politician from [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]] who served in both the [[Dakota Territory|territorial]] and state legislatures. The county government was first organized on December 8, 1891; Williston has always been the county seat.<ref name="ND Counties">{{cite web|title=County History|url=http://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=83&id=County%20History|publisher=Official Portal for North Dakota State Government|accessdate=4 May 2011}}</ref>
There have been two Williams counties in the history of North Dakota. The first, created in 1873, was located south of the [[Missouri River]] near where [[Dunn County, North Dakota|Dunn]] and [[Mercer County, North Dakota|Mercer]] counties are today. This county continued to exist through North Dakota statehood, and while the second Williams County was created in 1891. The first Williams County was extinguished by a county referendum on November 8, 1892; part of its territory was absorbed by Mercer County and the rest reverted to an unorganized territory.


The second Williams County was created by the [[North Dakota Legislative Assembly|North Dakota legislature]] on March 2, 1891, from the previous counties of Buford and Flannery, which were dissolved. The government of this county was organized on December 8, 1891. This county's boundaries were altered in 1910, when a portion of its territory was annexed to create [[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide County]]. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies|work=Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The [[Newberry Library]]|date=2006|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402202102/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|2,148|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|2,070|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|78|sqmi|km2}} of it (3.61%) is water.


The county is named for Erastus Appleman Williams, a European-American settler who served in the Dakota Territory legislature and the North Dakota legislature.<ref>{{cite web|title=County History|url=http://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=83&id=County%20History|publisher=Official Portal for North Dakota State Government|access-date=May 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202151843/http://www.nd.gov/content.htm?parentCatID=83&id=County%20History|archive-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Lake Sakakawea]], a reservoir on the [[Missouri River]], is situated on the southern boundary of the county. [[Little Muddy Creek (North Dakota)|Little Muddy Creek]] is entirely within Williams County. The confluence of the [[Yellowstone River]] with the Missouri is west of Williston.


In June 2014, lightning struck a Williams County Oasis Petroleum saltwater disposal facility.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=William |title=North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones |date=2024 |publisher=Valley Star Publications |year=2024 |isbn=979-8-89480-378-4 |location=Dickinson, ND |publication-date=2024 |pages=109}}</ref> It sparked a fire that destroyed the facility, burning 630 gallons of oil and tens of thousands of gallons of brine.<ref name=":0" />
The [[Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site]] is located in Williams County along the Missouri River on the Montana border.


[[File:Map of Williams County, N.D., 1914.jpg|thumb|Outline map of Williams County, North Dakota, 1914]]
===Townships===


==Geography==
{|
Williams County lies on the west edge of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of [[Montana]]. The [[Missouri River]] flows eastward along the county's south boundary line from the confluence with its tributary [[Yellowstone River]], located on the Dakota side of the state border with Montana. Horse Creek and Willow Creek flow to the west across the upper portion of the county. The terrain consists of isolated hills amid rolling, hilly, semi-arid stretches. The area is partly devoted to agriculture.<ref name=WCND>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Williams+County,+ND/@48.569148,-103.5899113,14.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x532113b80ae97061:0x84fb8b477b9a46c2!8m2!3d48.432044!4d-103.2923954 ''Williams County ND'' Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)]</ref> The terrain is highest across its midpoint, and slopes to the NW and SE. Its highest point is a hill near the NE corner, at {{convert|2,470|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude/Williams County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019) |access-date=February 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|2148|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2077|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|70|sqmi}} (3.3%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_38.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 1, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129045530/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_38.txt|archive-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> It is the fourth-largest county in North Dakota by area.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
*Alamo
*Athens
*Barr Butte
*Big Meadow
*Big Stone
*Blacktail
*Blue Ridge
*Bonetraill
*Brooklyn
*Buford
*Bull Butte
*Champion
*Climax
*Cow Creek
*Dry Fork
{{col-4}}
*Dublin
*East Fork
*Egypt
*Ellisville
*Equality
*Farmvale
*Golden Valley
*Good Luck
*Grenora
*Hanks
*Hardscrabble
*Hazel
*Hebron
*Judson
*Lindahl
{{col-4}}
*Lund's Landing
*Marshall
*McGregor
*Missouri Ridge
*Mont
*New Home
*Oliver
*Orthell
*Pleasant Valley
*Rainbow
*Rock Island
*Round Prairie
*Sauk Valley
*Scorio
*South Meadow
{{col-4}}
*Springbrook
*Stony Creek
*Strandahl
*Tioga
*Trenton
*Truax
*Twelve Mile
*Tyrone
*View
*West Bank
*Wheelock
*Williston
*Winner
*Zahl
{{col-end}}
|}


[[Lake Sakakawea]], a reservoir on the [[Missouri River]], is situated on the southern boundary of the county. [[Little Muddy Creek (North Dakota)|Little Muddy Creek]] is entirely within Williams County. The confluence of the [[Yellowstone River]] with the Missouri is west of Williston.
===Defunct Townships===
*Hofflund<ref>[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/boundary_changes/ U.S. Census Bureau: Boundary Changes]</ref>


The [[Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site]] is located in Williams County along the Missouri River on the Montana border.
===Adjacent counties===
*[[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide County]] (north)
*[[Burke County, North Dakota|Burke County]] (northeast)
*[[Mountrail County, North Dakota|Mountrail County]] (east)
*[[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie County]] (south)
*[[Roosevelt County, Montana]] (southwest)
*[[Sheridan County, Montana]] (west)


Williams County is one of several western North Dakota counties with significant exposure to the [[Bakken formation]] in the [[Williston Basin]].
{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Williams County, North Dakota
|North = [[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide County]]
|Northeast = [[Burke County, North Dakota|Burke County]]
|East = [[Mountrail County, North Dakota|Mountrail County]]
|Southeast =
|South = [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie County]]
|Southwest = [[Roosevelt County, Montana]]
|West = [[Sheridan County, Montana]]
|Northwest =
}}


===Major highways===
===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] [[US 2|U.S. Highway 2]]
* {{jct|state=ND|US|2}}
*[[Image:US 85.svg|20px]] [[US 85|U.S. Highway 85]]
* {{jct|state=ND|US|85}}
*[[Image:North Dakota 40.svg|20px]] [[North Dakota Highway 40]]
* {{jct|state=ND|US|85B}}
*[[Image:North Dakota 50.svg|20px]] [[North Dakota Highway 50]]
* {{jct|state=ND|ND|40}}
*[[Image:North Dakota 1804.png|20px]] [[North Dakota Highway 1804]]
* {{jct|state=ND|ND|42}}
* {{jct|state=ND|ND|50}}
* {{jct|state=ND|ND|1804}}
{{div col end}}


===Transit===
===National [[protected area]]s===
*[[Amtrak]] ''[[Empire Builder]]'' (''[[Williston station]]'')

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide County]] (north)
* [[Burke County, North Dakota|Burke County]] (northeast)
* [[Mountrail County, North Dakota|Mountrail County]] (east)
* [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie County]] (south)
* [[Roosevelt County, Montana]] (southwest)
* [[Sheridan County, Montana]] (west)
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas<ref name=WCND/>===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site]] (part)
* [[Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site]] (part)
* Hofflund State Game Management Area
* Lewis & Clark State Park
* [[Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge]]
* North Tobacco Garden State Game Management Area
{{div col end}}

===Lakes<ref name=WCND/>===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Alkali Lake
* Blacktail Lake
* Cottonwood Lake
* Epping Dam
* Green Lake
* Helle Slough
* Holm Lake
* Kota-Ray Dam
* Lake Trenton
* Lake Zahl
* McLeod Lake
* Shirley Lake
* Tioga River Dam
* Twin Lakes
{{div col end}}


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
{{USCensusPop
|1880= 14
|1880= 14
|1890= 109
|1890= 109
Line 155: Line 117:
|2000= 19761
|2000= 19761
|2010= 22398
|2010= 22398
|2020= 40950
|estimate= 26697
|estyear= 2012
|estyear=2023
|estimate=39113
|footnote=<center>U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=March 15, 2013}}</ref><br>2012 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/0400000US38.05000|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|accessdate=March 15, 2013}}</ref></center>
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=[[Census.gov]]}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nd190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=April 20, 1995|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}
}}


===2020 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 19,761 people, 8,095 households, and 5,261 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 9,680 housing units at an average density of 5 per square&nbsp;mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.95% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.40% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.14% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.21% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 48.3% were of [[norwegian people|Norwegian]] and 22.0% [[german people|German]] ancestry according to the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]].
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 40,950 people, 16,095 households, and 9,585 families in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Williams%20County,%20North%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 18, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|19.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}} There were 20,227 housing units.


===2010 census===
There were 8,095 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.99.
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 22,398 people, 9,293 households, and 5,746 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|10.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 10,464 housing units at an average density of {{convert|5.0|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.2% were of Norwegian, 35.9% of German, 9.8% of Irish, 4.5% of [[Swedish Americans|Swedish]] and 4.4% of English ancestry.


In the county the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
Of the 9,293 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.0 years.


The median income for a household in the county was $31,491, and the median income for a family was $39,065. Males had a median income of $29,884 versus $19,329 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,763. About 9.6% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
The median income for a household in the county was $55,396 and the median income for a family was $67,875. Males had a median income of $50,735 versus $27,071 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,153. About 4.7% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.


===Population by decade===
==Economy==
<timeline>
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ImageSize = width:700 height:350
Williams County is primarily dominated by agriculture and resource extraction- it is one of several western North Dakota counties with significant exposure to the [[Bakken formation]] in the [[Williston Basin]].
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==Places==
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bar:1890 text:1890
bar:1900 text:1900
bar:1910 text:1910
bar:1920 text:1920
bar:1930 text:1930
bar:1940 text:1940
bar:1950 text:1950
bar:1960 text:1960
bar:1970 text:1970
bar:1980 text:1980
bar:1990 text:1990
bar:2000 text:2000
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bar:2020 text:2020
bar:2023 text:present

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bar:1930 from: 0 till:19553
bar:1940 from: 0 till:16315
bar:1950 from: 0 till:16442
bar:1960 from: 0 till:22051
bar:1970 from: 0 till:19301
bar:1980 from: 0 till:22237
bar:1990 from: 0 till:21129
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</timeline>

==Media==
* ''The Williston Herald''

==Communities==
===Cities===
===Cities===
{{div col}}
*[[Alamo, North Dakota|Alamo]] (Population:57)
*[[Epping, North Dakota|Epping]] (Population:100)
* [[Alamo, North Dakota|Alamo]]
*[[Grenora, North Dakota|Grenora]] (Population:244)
* [[Epping, North Dakota|Epping]]
*[[Ray, North Dakota|Ray]] (Population:592)
* [[Grenora, North Dakota|Grenora]]
*[[Springbrook, North Dakota|Springbrook]] (Population:27)
* [[Ray, North Dakota|Ray]]
*[[Tioga, North Dakota|Tioga]] (Population:1,230)
* [[Springbrook, North Dakota|Springbrook]]
*[[Wildrose, North Dakota|Wildrose]] (Population:110)
* [[Tioga, North Dakota|Tioga]]
*[[Williston, North Dakota|Williston]] (Population:14,716)
* [[Wildrose, North Dakota|Wildrose]]
* [[Williston, North Dakota|Williston]] (county seat)
''Note: all incorporated communities in North Dakota are called "cities" regardless of their size.''
{{div col end}}


===Census-designated places===
===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Buford, North Dakota|Buford]]
* [[Blacktail, North Dakota|Blacktail]]
*[[Corinth, North Dakota|Corinth]]
* [[Long Creek, North Dakota|Long Creek]]
*[[Hanks, North Dakota|Hanks]]
* [[McGregor, North Dakota|McGregor]]
*[[McGregor, North Dakota|McGregor]]
* [[Trenton, North Dakota|Trenton]]
*[[Trenton, North Dakota|Trenton]]
*[[Wheelock, North Dakota|Wheelock]]
*[[Zahl, North Dakota|Zahl]]


===Other unincorporated communities===
==Print==
{{div col}}
* ''[[The Williston Trader]]''
* [[Appam, North Dakota|Appam]]
* Bonetraill<ref name=WCND/>
* [[Buford, North Dakota|Buford]]
* [[Corinth, North Dakota|Corinth]]
* [[Hamlet, North Dakota|Hamlet]]
* [[Hanks, North Dakota|Hanks]]
* Lunds Landing<ref name=WCND/>
* [[Temple, North Dakota|Temple]]
* [[Wheelock, North Dakota|Wheelock]]
* [[Zahl, North Dakota|Zahl]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
[[File:West Bonetraill, North Dakota.jpg|thumb|Scandia Valley Lutheran Church in Bonetraill Township, North Dakota]]
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* Athens
* Barr Butte
* Big Meadow
* Big Stone
* Blacktail
* Blue Ridge
* Bonetraill
* Brooklyn
* Buford
* Bull Butte
* Champion
* Climax
* Cow Creek
* Dry Fork
* Dublin
* East Fork
* Ellisville
* Equality
* Farmvale
* Golden Valley
* Good Luck
* Grenora
* Hardscrabble
* Hazel
* Hebron
* Judson
* Lindahl
* Marshall
* Missouri Ridge
* Mont
* New Home
* Oliver
* Orthell
* Pherrin
* Pleasant Valley
* Rainbow
* Rock Island
* Round Prairie
* Sauk Valley
* Scorio
* South Meadow
* Springbrook
* Stony Creek
* Strandahl
* Tioga
* Trenton
* Truax
* Twelve Mile
* Tyrone
* View
* West Bank
* Wheelock
* Williston
* Winner
{{div col end}}

===Defunct townships===
* Hofflund<ref>[https://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/boundary_changes/ U.S. Census Bureau: Boundary Changes]</ref>

==Politics==
Williams County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.
{{PresHead|place=Williams County, North Dakota|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, Socialist [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 588 votes, while [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 402 votes, [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin|Eugene Chafin]] received 45 votes.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|12,501|2,276|345|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|11,739|2,169|426|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|10,069|1,735|1,003|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,184|2,322|302|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,291|2,921|161|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,278|2,512|139|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,187|2,330|290|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,590|3,018|1,232|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,664|3,008|3,245|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,653|4,004|111|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,166|3,177|180|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,530|2,545|829|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,230|4,189|273|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,800|2,989|225|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,980|3,263|483|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,076|5,352|11|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|4,492|4,683|2|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,188|4,157|19|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,307|2,999|61|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,133|2,571|791|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,217|3,748|98|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,470|4,579|162|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,021|4,903|1,549|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,509|4,823|552|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,591|2,503|178|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|1,865|308|2,900|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,768|1,330|671|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|903|1,769|521|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|549|696|1,035|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,979|1,034|263|North Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|825|316|22|North Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|249|95|2|North Dakota}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref name=Schooldistmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38105_williams/DC20SD_C38105.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813035630/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38105_williams/DC20SD_C38105.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Williams County, ND|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 23, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st38_nd/schooldistrict_maps/c38105_williams/DC20SD_C38105_SD2MS.txt Text list] - This map was made before [[Williston Public School District 1]] and [[Williams County Public School District 8]] merged into [[Williston Basin School District 7]].</ref>
* [[Divide County Public School District 1]]
* [[Eightmile Public School District 6]]
* [[Grenora Public School District 99]]
* [[Nesson Public School District 2]]
* [[Tioga Public School District 15]]
* [[Williston Basin School District 7]]

Former districts include:<ref name=Schooldistmap2020/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38105_williams/DC10SD_C38105_001.pdf|title=SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Williams County, ND|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 23, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st38_nd/c38105_williams/DC10SD_C38105_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Williston Public School District 1]] - Merged into Williston Basin 7 in 2021.<ref name=Distmerge>{{cite web|url=http://www.district8nd.com/|title=Home|publisher=Williams County School District 8|access-date=August 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725032444/http://www.district8nd.com/|archive-date=July 25, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Williams County Public School District 8]] (formerly New Public School District 8, elementary only) - Merged into Williston Basin 7 in 2021.<ref name=Distmerge/>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in North Dakota#Williams County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Williams County, North Dakota]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in North Dakota#Williams County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Williams County, North Dakota]]
* [[North Dakota statistical areas]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
* [https://www.williamsnd.com/ Williams County official website]
* [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/williams_sheet1.pdf Map of southeastern portion of Williams County] ''North Dakota DOT''
* [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/williams_sheet2.pdf Map of northern portion of Williams County] ''North Dakota DOT''
* [https://www.dot.nd.gov/docs/maps/base-maps/counties/williams_sheet3.pdf Map of southwestern portion of Williams County] ''North Dakota DOT''

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Williams County, North Dakota
|North = [[Divide County, North Dakota|Divide County]]
|Northeast = [[Burke County, North Dakota|Burke County]]
|East = [[Mountrail County, North Dakota|Mountrail County]]
|South = [[McKenzie County, North Dakota|McKenzie County]]
|Southwest = [[Roosevelt County, Montana]]
|West = [[Sheridan County, Montana]]
}}
{{Williams County, North Dakota}}
{{Williams County, North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{North Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}


{{coord|48.35|-103.48|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}
{{Coord|48.35|-103.48|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-ND_source:UScensus1990}}


[[Category:North Dakota counties]]
[[Category:Williams County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:Williams County, North Dakota| ]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in North Dakota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1891]]
[[Category:North Dakota counties on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:North Dakota counties on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 00:38, 24 November 2024

Williams County
County
Williams County Courthouse
Williams County Courthouse
Map of North Dakota highlighting Williams County
Location within the U.S. state of North Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting North Dakota
North Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°21′N 103°29′W / 48.35°N 103.48°W / 48.35; -103.48
Country United States
State North Dakota
Founded1891
Named forErastus Appleman Williams
SeatWilliston
Largest cityWilliston
Area
 • Total
2,148 sq mi (5,560 km2)
 • Land2,077 sq mi (5,380 km2)
 • Water70 sq mi (200 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
40,950
 • Estimate 
(2023)
39,113 Decrease
 • Density19/sq mi (7.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.williamsnd.com

Williams County is located on the western border of the U.S. state of North Dakota, next to Montana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,950.[1] making it the fifth most populous county in North Dakota. Its county seat is Williston.[2]

The Williston Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Williams County. It is bordered on the south by the upper Missouri River, whose confluence with its tributary Yellowstone River is located just east of the border with Montana.

History

[edit]

There have been two Williams counties in the history of North Dakota. The first, created in 1873, was located south of the Missouri River near where Dunn and Mercer counties are today. This county continued to exist through North Dakota statehood, and while the second Williams County was created in 1891. The first Williams County was extinguished by a county referendum on November 8, 1892; part of its territory was absorbed by Mercer County and the rest reverted to an unorganized territory.

The second Williams County was created by the North Dakota legislature on March 2, 1891, from the previous counties of Buford and Flannery, which were dissolved. The government of this county was organized on December 8, 1891. This county's boundaries were altered in 1910, when a portion of its territory was annexed to create Divide County. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.[3]

The county is named for Erastus Appleman Williams, a European-American settler who served in the Dakota Territory legislature and the North Dakota legislature.[4]

In June 2014, lightning struck a Williams County Oasis Petroleum saltwater disposal facility.[5] It sparked a fire that destroyed the facility, burning 630 gallons of oil and tens of thousands of gallons of brine.[5]

Outline map of Williams County, North Dakota, 1914

Geography

[edit]

Williams County lies on the west edge of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Montana. The Missouri River flows eastward along the county's south boundary line from the confluence with its tributary Yellowstone River, located on the Dakota side of the state border with Montana. Horse Creek and Willow Creek flow to the west across the upper portion of the county. The terrain consists of isolated hills amid rolling, hilly, semi-arid stretches. The area is partly devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain is highest across its midpoint, and slopes to the NW and SE. Its highest point is a hill near the NE corner, at 2,470 ft (750 m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 2,148 square miles (5,560 km2), of which 2,077 square miles (5,380 km2) is land and 70 square miles (180 km2) (3.3%) is water.[8] It is the fourth-largest county in North Dakota by area.

Lake Sakakawea, a reservoir on the Missouri River, is situated on the southern boundary of the county. Little Muddy Creek is entirely within Williams County. The confluence of the Yellowstone River with the Missouri is west of Williston.

The Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is located in Williams County along the Missouri River on the Montana border.

Williams County is one of several western North Dakota counties with significant exposure to the Bakken formation in the Williston Basin.

Major highways

[edit]

Transit

[edit]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Protected areas[6]

[edit]

Lakes[6]

[edit]
  • Alkali Lake
  • Blacktail Lake
  • Cottonwood Lake
  • Epping Dam
  • Green Lake
  • Helle Slough
  • Holm Lake
  • Kota-Ray Dam
  • Lake Trenton
  • Lake Zahl
  • McLeod Lake
  • Shirley Lake
  • Tioga River Dam
  • Twin Lakes

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188014—
1890109678.6%
19001,5301,303.7%
191014,234830.3%
192017,98026.3%
193019,5538.7%
194016,315−16.6%
195016,4420.8%
196022,05134.1%
197019,301−12.5%
198022,23715.2%
199021,129−5.0%
200019,761−6.5%
201022,39813.3%
202040,95082.8%
2023 (est.)39,113[9]−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 40,950 people, 16,095 households, and 9,585 families in the county.[14] The population density was 19.7 inhabitants per square mile (7.6/km2) There were 20,227 housing units.

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 22,398 people, 9,293 households, and 5,746 families in the county. The population density was 10.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.2/km2). There were 10,464 housing units at an average density of 5.0 per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.2% were of Norwegian, 35.9% of German, 9.8% of Irish, 4.5% of Swedish and 4.4% of English ancestry.

Of the 9,293 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 39.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,396 and the median income for a family was $67,875. Males had a median income of $50,735 versus $27,071 for females. The per capita income for the county was $29,153. About 4.7% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Population by decade

[edit]

Media

[edit]
  • The Williston Herald

Communities

[edit]

Cities

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

Townships

[edit]
Scandia Valley Lutheran Church in Bonetraill Township, North Dakota
  • Athens
  • Barr Butte
  • Big Meadow
  • Big Stone
  • Blacktail
  • Blue Ridge
  • Bonetraill
  • Brooklyn
  • Buford
  • Bull Butte
  • Champion
  • Climax
  • Cow Creek
  • Dry Fork
  • Dublin
  • East Fork
  • Ellisville
  • Equality
  • Farmvale
  • Golden Valley
  • Good Luck
  • Grenora
  • Hardscrabble
  • Hazel
  • Hebron
  • Judson
  • Lindahl
  • Marshall
  • Missouri Ridge
  • Mont
  • New Home
  • Oliver
  • Orthell
  • Pherrin
  • Pleasant Valley
  • Rainbow
  • Rock Island
  • Round Prairie
  • Sauk Valley
  • Scorio
  • South Meadow
  • Springbrook
  • Stony Creek
  • Strandahl
  • Tioga
  • Trenton
  • Truax
  • Twelve Mile
  • Tyrone
  • View
  • West Bank
  • Wheelock
  • Williston
  • Winner

Defunct townships

[edit]

Politics

[edit]

Williams County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Williams County, North Dakota[16][17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 12,501 82.67% 2,276 15.05% 345 2.28%
2020 11,739 81.90% 2,169 15.13% 426 2.97%
2016 10,069 78.62% 1,735 13.55% 1,003 7.83%
2012 7,184 73.25% 2,322 23.67% 302 3.08%
2008 6,291 67.12% 2,921 31.16% 161 1.72%
2004 6,278 70.31% 2,512 28.13% 139 1.56%
2000 5,187 66.44% 2,330 29.85% 290 3.71%
1996 3,590 45.79% 3,018 38.49% 1,232 15.71%
1992 3,664 36.95% 3,008 30.33% 3,245 32.72%
1988 5,653 57.87% 4,004 40.99% 111 1.14%
1984 8,166 70.87% 3,177 27.57% 180 1.56%
1980 6,530 65.93% 2,545 25.70% 829 8.37%
1976 4,230 48.67% 4,189 48.19% 273 3.14%
1972 4,800 59.90% 2,989 37.30% 225 2.81%
1968 3,980 51.51% 3,263 42.23% 483 6.25%
1964 3,076 36.45% 5,352 63.42% 11 0.13%
1960 4,492 48.95% 4,683 51.03% 2 0.02%
1956 4,188 50.07% 4,157 49.70% 19 0.23%
1952 4,307 58.46% 2,999 40.71% 61 0.83%
1948 2,133 38.82% 2,571 46.79% 791 14.39%
1944 2,217 36.57% 3,748 61.82% 98 1.62%
1940 2,470 34.25% 4,579 63.50% 162 2.25%
1936 1,021 13.66% 4,903 65.61% 1,549 20.73%
1932 1,509 21.92% 4,823 70.06% 552 8.02%
1928 3,591 57.25% 2,503 39.91% 178 2.84%
1924 1,865 36.76% 308 6.07% 2,900 57.17%
1920 3,768 65.31% 1,330 23.05% 671 11.63%
1916 903 28.28% 1,769 55.40% 521 16.32%
1912 549 24.08% 696 30.53% 1,035 45.39%
1908 1,979 60.41% 1,034 31.56% 263 8.03%
1904 825 70.94% 316 27.17% 22 1.89%
1900 249 71.97% 95 27.46% 2 0.58%

Education

[edit]

School districts include:[18]

Former districts include:[18][19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  4. ^ "County History". Official Portal for North Dakota State Government. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Jackson, William (2024). North Dakota Tornadoes Twisters & Cyclones. Dickinson, ND: Valley Star Publications. p. 109. ISBN 979-8-89480-378-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ a b c d e Williams County ND Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Williams County ND" Google Maps (accessed February 19, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Census.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  14. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  15. ^ U.S. Census Bureau: Boundary Changes
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  17. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Socialist Eugene Debs received 588 votes, while Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 402 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 45 votes.
  18. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Williams County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list - This map was made before Williston Public School District 1 and Williams County Public School District 8 merged into Williston Basin School District 7.
  19. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Williams County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list
  20. ^ a b "Home". Williams County School District 8. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
[edit]

48°21′N 103°29′W / 48.35°N 103.48°W / 48.35; -103.48

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Williams_County,_North_Dakota&oldid=1259218269"