Watford City, ND

North Dakota

Watford City is a small city in North Dakota with a population of 6,016. Residents earn $88,351 per year, which is 18% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
6,016 Population 674/sq mi density
$88,351 Median Income $51,501 per capita
$385,100 Home Value $374,113 Zillow
$1,210 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
596 Violent Crime/100K 3,085 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$88,351 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$385,100 home value, $1,210/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
596 violent crimes/100K (57% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
25.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,351
18% higher than US avg
Home Value $385,100
37% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 596/100K
57% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.8%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,210
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

How Watford City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population6,016
Median Age28.5 yrs
Density674/mi²
Male / Female55% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

A+
Median Income$88,351
Per Capita$51,501
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$4,355M
Commute19 min

Housing

A
Home Value$385,100
Rent$1,210
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$374,113

Crime

F
Violent596/100K
Property3,085/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault441/100K
Burglary570/100K

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.5%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain15.7 in/yr
Elevation2,057 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.8%
High School+92.5%
School Score5.74

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute19 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Watford City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watford City receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. Watford City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watford City is $88,351, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watford City is $385,100, 37% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,210 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 596 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,085 per 100,000, 57% above the national average.

Education

25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Watford City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.7 inches, including 50.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Watford City has a population of 6,016 with a density of 674 people per square mile. The median age is 28.5 years, 27% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.8%), with 5.3% Hispanic, 2.4% Black, 2.7% Asian.

Population

6,016
Total Population
674
People / sq mi
28.5yrs
Median Age
27% below US avg
8.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.5%
Female 45.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Watford City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.2%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.8%
4% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watford City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watford City is $88,351, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Watford City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,351
18% above US avg
Per Capita Income$51,501
Avg Weekly Wage$1,750
IRS Avg AGI$143,007

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)819
County GDP$4,355M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare20
Retail47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,576
2% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.3 min
Work from Home6.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Watford City is $385,100, 37% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,210 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $374,113.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$385,100
37% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$374,113

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,210
4% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,225

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$769
1 Bedroom$795
2 Bedrooms$965
3 Bedrooms$1,297
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied35.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,576
2% above US avg
Effective Rate0.93%
In Watford City, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.5% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Watford City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma9.8%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression19.5%
Mental Distress14.3%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.2%
Checkup Rate71.5%
Premature Death13,744/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access40.4%
Healthcare Facilities20
Watford City has a violent crime rate of 596 per 100,000 residents, 57% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,085 per 100,000 (57% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Watford City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent596.2/100K
57% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape155.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault440.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,084.5/100K
57% above US avg
Burglary570.2/100K
Theft2,125.5/100K
Vehicle Theft388.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Watford City has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.1°F
22% below US avg
January Average13°F (-10°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.7 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall50.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,057 ft (627 m)
Area8.9 sq mi (23.1 km²)
Population Density674/sq mi
Coordinates47.8015°N, 103.2667°W
County FIPS38053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 25.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.4%
D 14.8%

Winner: Republican by 69.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.8%
23% below US avg
High School+92.5%
School Test Score5.74
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density674/sq mi
Total Area8.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants47
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.3 min
Work from Home6.8%

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