Williams
North Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Williams County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the average temperature is in the bottom 3% of American counties (42°F), population growth is in the top 3% of American counties (+3.0% a year), and homeownership is in the bottom 3% of American counties (54%). Within North Dakota it ranks 23rd of 53 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Williams County, North Dakota. 39,076 people live here with you. The population grew 3.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +690).

North Dakota's income tax is now among the lowest of any state that has one, with a top rate under 2.5% after 2023 cuts funded by oil revenue, and it stopped taxing Social Security in 2021. Housing is inexpensive and the state has the lowest unemployment in the country in most years. Winters are severe, and the Bakken oil economy makes the western counties boom and bust.

Money

The typical household here brings in $86,139 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $91,464. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 91% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

North Dakota takes 0.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $734 a year.

Home

The median home costs $356K, pricier than 80% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,085 a month. Property tax is 0.69% of home value, roughly $1,771 a year on that median home, lower than 66% of American counties. 54% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 93% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.0 years, longer than 75% of American counties. There are 50 active physicians in the county, about 12.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 8.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.76 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 82% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 65 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Dakota law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 42°F, highs near 53 and lows near 30, colder than 97% of American counties. About 17 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 72 out of 100, riskier than 72% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 270 Mbps down, faster than 84% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 1 National Park Service site.