Williston gives you more for your money than most places: homes are within reach, about $372K for a typical one, or 4.3 years of the Williston area’s $86K median household income. It grades C overall, ranked 20th of 23 in North Dakota. The low prices come with trade-offs. Its schools rank behind 87% of the state's, and its crime rate is higher than 84% of U.S. towns, with 124 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025. On the plus side, natural-hazard risk is low. 57% of working residents work locally in Williston, where North Dakota’s towns sit at 38% and U.S. towns at 8%. Williston is home to Williston State College. Williston is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 73% of U.S. towns.

StrongestAHazard riskWeakestDSchools C⁻Safety

What makes Williston stand out

Where Williston beats most towns.

Natural hazardsA

Lower risk than 88% of U.S. communities

Very low risk of storm and flood damage

FEMA National Risk Index.

WalkabilityB⁺

More walkable than 73% of U.S. towns

3.6% of workers walk, bike or ride transit

EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.

The college

College	Students
Williston State College	627

A college in town

627 college students

at Williston State College

Students are 5% of residents.

A growing town

Williston has grown 101% since 2010

14,716 counted in 2010 and 29,160 in 2020; an estimated 29,522 in 2025.

14,7162010

29,1602020

29,5222025 est.

U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025

How Williston grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within North Dakota), ordered by how far Williston is from typical.

How grading works

Hazard riskcold waves tops the listAOpen →SchoolsDOpen →SafetyC⁻Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.1 of 20; 7.5% of households have no carB⁺Open →HealthCHI St. Alexius Health Williston 2.4 miles awayB⁺Open →Cost of livingB⁺Open →Jobs & income$79K median household incomeB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors4% conserved landBOpen →History6 places on the National Register; 19 notable people born hereC⁺Open →Civic life4.5 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB⁻Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market$372K typical home, up 4.9% in a year; 33 days on market–Open →Who lives here26% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Historic District (Boundary Increase) · National Register of Historic Places

Williston’s story

139 years in pictures

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Historic District (Boundary Increase) is a National Historic Landmark, the National Register’s top tier.

Census counts: 295 in 1890, 29,160 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1880 and 3 maps from 1959 on.

6 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1887Williston is settled

Explore the history →

Getting set up

Moving to Williston: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Williston, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerMontana-Dakota Utilities11.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterCity of Williston water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Williston’s trash rules yet

SchoolsWilliston Basin Public School District 7Which school depends on your addressNCES

Who runs elections hereWilliams County AuditorWilliams County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2015

ZIP code5880158801 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Jul 30, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Williston.

Williston has a shorter frost-free season than nearly all U.S. towns and has seen reported crime fall by a fifth or more, but it has lost a quarter or more of its jobs in ten years.

SchoolsD

Williston’s grade for schools is a D

Of its 11 schools, two are listed below, each with the reason. Public schools: the Williston Basin 7 school district. The 5 public schools in Williston teach 1,858 students between them.

13%of ND districts it outscoresDSchool Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Williston Middle School Central CampusLargest public middle schoolGrades 5–8	Grades 5–8	1,536	–
Williston High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	1,370	–

Full pageWilliston’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsWILLISTON BASIN 7 Vs. the neighborsBehind its 2 graded neighbors Every school11 schools · Hagan Elementary School Questions“Are Williston’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within ND on state tests

SafetyC⁻

Williston’s grade for safety is a C−

Reported crimes fell from 792 to 632 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

Williston’s level of violent crime is 4.3 per 1,000 residents. Its property crime rate is 17.7 per 1,000 residents.

16%of U.S. towns report more crimeC⁻Safety Grade

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025)	4.3 per 1,000 residents	2.1	1.6
Property crimes per 1,000 (2025)	17.7 per 1,000 residents	14.5	9.9

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Williston4.3

North Dakota2.4

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Williston17.7

North Dakota14.9

U.S.15.5

16th

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

124

violent crimes reported in 2025

508

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageWilliston’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type4.3 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsDown since 2023 Vs. the neighbors5 bordering towns Questions“Is Williston, ND safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A

Williston faces a very low natural-hazard risk, led by cold waves

Williston’s FEMA risk score comes in at 12 of 100. Federal disaster aid has reached households in Williston after 6 declared disasters, most recently in 2024. Half of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from cold waves, followed by inland flooding at 27%.

12risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Cold wavesInland floodingTornadoes

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageWilliston’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesVery low risk Flood claims0 paid flood claims · No paid flood claims on record Past disasters6 federal disasters · Paid out in Williston Get ready19 events a year, on average · Ready for cold waves

FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

HousingCost of living grade B⁺

Williston’s grade for cost of living is a B+

Among households in Williston, 47% own their home. Values rose 4.9% in the 12 months to September 2026. Homes sold in Williston spent a median 33 days on the market.

$372KZillow home value

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
Households that own their home	47%	59%	73%
Median rent	$1,122 a month	$973 a month	$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Williston$372K

North Dakota$291K

Market temperature

days on market

102.3%

sale-to-list price

+4.9%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageWilliston’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 4.9% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 4.7 years of income Rents$1,122 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsAhead of all 2 graded neighbors

Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

HealthB⁺

On CDC estimates, Williston is healthier than two in three U.S. towns

In Williston, 17% of adults report frequent mental distress. This North Dakota town beats the North Dakota average on 8 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 13. Among adults in the town, 69% had a checkup this year and 34% feel lonely. Only 2 of the 23 North Dakota towns we compare have a higher share of adults who binge drink than Williston.

68%healthier than U.S. townsB⁺Health Grade

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)	26%	22%	16%
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)	69%	74%	79%
Feel lonely (CDC PLACES)	34%	29%	33%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)	28%	31%	35%

32 measures vs. North Dakota

8 better11 too close to call13 worse

What stands out	Williston	ND
Fewer adults who have had cancer	5.6%	8.2%
Fewer adults with heart disease	4.5%	6.1%
More uninsured adults	10%	7.3%

CHI St. Alexius Health Williston

2.4 mi away · emergency room

1 of 3

care shortages: mental health

32nd

percentile among ND towns

Full pageWilliston’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsMore binge drinkers Hospitals & doctors nearby2.4 miles to an ER · CHI St. Alexius Health Williston How adults are doingMore adults lacking emotional support Every CDC estimateBetter than ND on 8 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Climate

Williston has snowy winters and pleasant summers

The Williston Sloulin Intl Ap weather station records that the frost-free season runs about 123 days, shorter than in 97% of U.S. towns. January nights average 2°: colder than most of the country, but milder than 82% of North Dakota places with climate records; July afternoons average 84.2°.

Of the 23 North Dakota towns we compare, none has a higher typical July afternoon high than Williston. In Williston, the January low is 2°F. About 48 inches of snow falls in a winter.

48″snow a winter

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
January low	2°F	1°F	22°F
July high	84°F	82°F	85°F

Typical low → high °F

Winter5–25°

Spring29–55°

Summer53–82°

Fall31–56°

Sep 21

typical first frost

May 21

typical last frost

+1.9°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageWilliston’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 84°, January lows 2°Rain & snow48″ of snow a winter · 15 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingMostly a heating bill Then and now+1.9° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Work & commuteJobs & income grade B⁻

More than half of Williston’s working residents work in town

Jobs based here fell from 19,025 in 2013 to 14,268.

Williston had 14,268 jobs in 2023, down 4,757 from 2013. For Williston, the typical journey to work is 18 minutes. Half of commuters travel less than 3 miles. The top destinations are Williston Township (7%), Judson Township (5%) and Minot (3%).

57%work in town

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
Average trip to work	18 minutes	16 minutes	25 minutes
Below the poverty line	8.1%	10%	9.6%

Where working residents work

In Williston57%

Williston Township7%

Judson Township5%

Minot3%

Bismarck2%

3 mi

median commute distance

14,268

jobs based in Williston

Balanced

jobs vs. working residents

B+

Walkability grade: more walkable than 73% of U.S. towns

Full pageWilliston’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here14,268 jobs based here · Balanced Where people work57% work in Williston Commute times18 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 3 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

Who lives here

A younger population than North Dakota as a whole

Williston’s age of the median resident stands at 32 years. People 65 and older are one in ten residents (17% statewide); children under 18 are 28% of residents (24% statewide). North Dakota has 33% of adults 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or more; here it is 26%.

32median age · ND 35.9

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
Aged 65 or older	10%	13%	18%
Median age	32 years	34.3 years	40.5 years
Under 18	28%	26%	22%
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	26%	30%	29%

WillistonNorth DakotaUnited States

NDU.S.

Ages · share of residents

20%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma7%

High school36%

Some college17%

Associate’s14%

Bachelor’s18%

Graduate8%

Women and men · all residents

48% women, 52% men

That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.8 points. Across North Dakota, 48.8% of residents are women.

Ages and education in Williston
	Williston	ND	U.S.
Under 10	16.4%	13%	11.6%
10 to 17	11.2%	10.5%	10.3%
18 to 24	8.8%	11.1%	9.1%
25 to 34	17.2%	14.2%	13.7%
35 to 44	19.7%	13.2%	13.2%
45 to 54	9.6%	10.1%	12.2%
55 to 64	7.1%	11.4%	12.7%
65 to 74	6.3%	9.6%	10.2%
75 and older	3.7%	7%	7%
No diploma	6.9%	6%	10.4%
High school	35.8%	25.5%	26%
Some college	17.4%	21.8%	19.1%
Associate’s	14%	14%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	18.3%	23%	21.6%
Graduate	7.6%	9.7%	14.1%

Full pageWilliston by the numbersOpen the page

Ages32 median age · 10% are 65 or older Schooling26% have a four-year degree Homes47% own their home · Homeowners Income$79K a year · Median household income

U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

OutdoorsB

Williston keeps 4.4% of its land conserved

The biggest park or preserve is Spring Lake Park, at 126 acres. 12 miles of trail wind through 5 parks and preserves. The trail density in Williston is 0.5 miles per square mile.

#18for trails in ND

	Williston	North Dakota towns	U.S. towns
Miles of trail per square mile	0.5 miles per square mile	0.7	0.4
Conserved land	4.4%	2.7%	4.3%

4.4%

conserved · 715 of 16,413 acres

12 mi

of trails · 0.5 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Harmon Park	0.3 mi	9
2. Spring Lake Park	—	126
3. Cote Park	—	10

Full pageWilliston’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map12 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.3 miles of trail · Harmon Park Conserved land4.4% conserved · 715 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Williston?”

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Williston

20pages on Williston

The big questions

SchoolsDBehind 87% of ND districts · 11 schools SafetyC⁻4.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB⁺Better than ND on 8 of 32 CDC measures Cost of livingB⁺$372K typical home · up 4.9% in a year Work & commuteB⁻$79K median household income · 14,268 jobs here Natural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 12% of U.S. communities · cold waves

Out and about

OutdoorsB12 mi of trails · 4% conserved land PlacesAttractions3 nearby · Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center 21 mi LibraryB⁻Williston Community Library CollegesWilliston State College, in town

The story

HistoryC⁺Settled 1887 · 6 on the National Register Famous people19 born in Williston Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 89 residents Climate84° summer highs · 48″ of snow

Day to day

News5 recent stories about Williston WeatherHandbookZIP code 58801, 58802, 58803 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

1 within 15 miles of the center of Williston

Williston State CollegeCommunity college · Public · WillistonIn town$6,128 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Williston residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across North Dakota.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

College town

Williston State College calls Williston home

Williston State College627 students on campus

Admission: Open
Net price: $5,932
Graduate: 42%

College Scorecard · IPEDS

Landmarks

6 places in Williston on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Historic District (Boundary Increase)Built 1966 · National Historic Landmark

Old US Post Office

James Memorial Library

Old Armory

Famous people from Williston

19 notable people were born in Williston.

See all 19 →

Michael GoldadeAmerican Traditionalist Catholic bishop · born 1980

Darlene HooleyAmerican politician · born 1939

Sally FraserAmerican actress · 1932–2019

Brian QvaleAmerican basketball player · born 1988

James Alan AbrahamsonUnited States Air Force general · born 1933

Julie FedorchakAmerican politician · born 1968

About Williston

City in North Dakota, United States

Official town website ↗

Williston is a city in and the county seat of Williams County, North Dakota, United States. The 2020 census gave its population as 29,160, making Williston the sixth-most populous city in North Dakota. It is near the southeast edge of the Williston Basin, named after the city. This huge subterranean geologic feature is known for its rich deposits of petroleum, coal, and potash, which contributed to the city's population nearly doubling between 2010 and 2020, due largely to the North Dakota oil boom. Williston's newspaper is the weekly Williston Herald. Williston is the home of Williston State College and the Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1887
Area: 21 sq mi
Elevation: 1,877 ft
ZIP code: 58801, 58802, 58803
Area code: 701

Williston’s neighbors

5 towns share a border with Williston.

Explore the map →

Missouri Ridge TownshipStony Creek TownshipWilliston TownshipMont TownshipPherrin TownshipWilliston

Missouri Ridge Township

N · 2% of Williston workers commute here

Visit

Stony Creek Township

Visit

Williston Township

W · 7% of Williston workers commute here

Mont Township

How the neighbors grade

Town	ND rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Williston	#20	C	B⁺	C⁻	D	B⁺
Missouri Ridge Township	—	—	B	—	D	B⁺
Stony Creek Township	—	—	—	—	—	—
Williston Township	—	—	B	—	D	B⁺
Mont Township	—	—	—	—	—	—
Pherrin Township	—	—	—	—	—	—

Missouri Ridge Township and Williston Township have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Missouri Ridge Township and Williston Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Stony Creek Township, Mont Township and Pherrin Township aren’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Williston with a neighbor →

Questions about Williston

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Williston, ND a good place to live?

Williston grades C overall, better than 34% of U.S. towns and #20 of 23 in North Dakota. It grades B+ for health, C− for safety and D for schools. Schools is its weak spot, with a D.

Is Williston, ND safe?

Williston reports more crime per resident than 84% of U.S. towns, a C− Safety Grade: 124 violent and 508 property crimes in 2025.

Is Williston, ND expensive?

Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B+.

What is Williston, ND known for?

19 notable people were born here, including Michael Goldade and Darlene Hooley.

Post to Williston

Check your email

WillistonND

Is Williston a good place to live?

What makes Williston stand out

Williston has grown 101% since 2010

How Williston grades

139 years in pictures

Moving to Williston: who provides what

The data

Williston’s grade for schools is a D

Williston’s grade for safety is a C−

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Williston faces a very low natural-hazard risk, led by cold waves

Williston’s grade for cost of living is a B+

Typical home value

On CDC estimates, Williston is healthier than two in three U.S. towns

Williston has snowy winters and pleasant summers

Typical low → high °F

More than half of Williston’s working residents work in town

Where working residents work

A younger population than North Dakota as a whole

Ages · share of residents

Education · adults 25 and older

Women and men · all residents

Williston keeps 4.4% of its land conserved

Everything we know about Williston

Colleges nearby

Williston State College calls Williston home

Landmarks

Famous people from Williston

About Williston

Williston’s neighbors

Questions about Williston