In 2008, North Dakota began rapidly extracting oil from the Bakken formation, a 200,000-square-mile source rock in Williston Basin. This led to a massive oil boom and employment spike in the state. Even as oil prices rise and fall, the city of Williston continues to profit from the boom. “We are the center of Bakken oil,” says Kristy Aasheim, longtime local and real estate agent at eXp Realty. “People come from all over the country to work at our oil fields.” Surrounding the oil industry are major transportation and construction companies, like FedEx and JMAC, that offer even more local opportunities. The city’s hardworking culture keeps the community connected, no matter the weather. “I know everybody in my entire neighborhood,” Aasheim says. “Those of us who’ve lived here a long time, we’ll take the shirt off our back to help you.”
As a major contributer to the local economy, oil pumps can be found all over Williston.
Williston's population has nearly doubled from 2010 to 2020.
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Custom housing along dirt roads
Downtown holds the city’s oldest homes, typically bungalow, New Traditional and ranch styles. Condos and apartments are also available for first-time buyers or those who relocate temporarily for work. Subdivisions with higher acreage and larger contemporary homes are farthest from downtown. Properties have sweeping valley views, and empty lots accommodate custom projects. However, the rural location of these subdivisions means paved streets are less common. The city’s median home price is around $320,000, less than the national median of $406,000.
Older ranch style homes are extremely common in established areas of Williston.
Many of the new builds in Williston are also ranch style homes.
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Tanker trunks mean continuous repaving
Public transportation is limited, but an Amtrak train line does run through Williston. Highways 2 and 85 accommodate statewide travel, while Broadway and Second Avenue West are primary city thoroughfares. Aasheim says traffic has improved, but road construction is continuous. Gravel and dirt roads lose traction and visibility during extreme weather, and asphalt streets need regular repaving. “They just replaced our highway’s asphalt with concrete to make it interstate-grade,” Aasheim says. “It just lasts longer under the weight of all the big trucks passing through.” The Williston Basin International Airport, recently relocated 11 miles outside the city, offers direct flights to Denver and Minneapolis.
Williston Basin Schools try to catch up
Over 5,000 students are under the Williston Basin School District #7, which has a C rating on Niche. New schools are always in demand because of the city’s explosive growth. “We’ve outgrown all of our schools. Even at our new high school, we’re already bursting at the seams, so they just passed an emergency extension for Williston High,” Aasheim says. Connected to Williston High School is a 20,000-square-foot career and technical education facility with trade shops, STEM classrooms and a greenhouse. The school has a C-plus rating.
The city is also home to the B-rated Williston State College. Through the Williams County Graduate Scholarship, high school graduates in the North Dakota oil patch are eligible for up to two years of free tuition.
Williston High School serves kids in grades 9 through 12.
Williston State College has scholarships offering local high school graduates up to two years free tuition.
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Fishing for Chinook at Lake Sakakawea
Recreation is a significant part of the community’s lifestyle. “Hunting and fishing are big here. In the summertime, everybody is at the lake with their boats and camping tents,” Aasheim says. The Missouri River feeds into Lake Sakakawea, a 368,000-acre lake full of Chinook salmon, Northern Pike and walleye. Painted Woods Sporting Range lets people practice their aim, while Davidson Park lets kids and sports teams play together. Williston Area Recreation Center (ARC) offers fitness rooms, an indoor waterpark and a golf simulator.
Davidson Park has an exceptionally large playground with equipment for kids of all ages.
Williston Area Recreation Center offers indoor swimming, water slides, basket ball and more.
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Safety equipment in no short supply
Williston’s commercial scene is dispersed throughout the city. Business Highway 2 is somewhat of a restaurant hub, with local chains lining a 2-mile stretch of the road. The city is slowly revitalizing downtown Williston into a central retail district, but empty storefronts are still common. Locally owned eateries sit beside boutique stores and an old-school movie theater. Safety supply and equipment wholesaler stores are abundant because of the city’s industry.
The Grand Theater is one of two active movie theaters in downtown Williston.
Equipment dealers out number traditional retail stores in Williston due to the oil connection.
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Auctioning more than evergreens at the Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees is among the city’s most anticipated events. Companies auction off Christmas trees paired with extravagant gift packages, ranging from high-end camping gear and ATVs to memorabilia collections and travel excursions. Auction proceeds go toward local projects and charities, and people go to great lengths to attend. “People will line up at 5 a.m. and wait out in the cold all day just to get tickets at 5 p.m.,” Aasheim says. Every four years, Williston hosts the Babe Ruth League World Series, where people come from all over the nation to watch talented teens hit home runs. The city also hosts the annual Miss North Dakota pageant.
Communities tough harsh weather and crime rates
Weather can be extreme at any time of the year. “Sometimes we have 70-degree weather in October and snowstorms in May. Next week, we’re expecting it to be 30 below, but summer can get up to 100 degrees,” Aasheim says. The area has at least six months of harsh winter, so residents regularly plan for inclement conditions. “Up here, you make a lot more money in the oil industry than places like Texas because our winters are brutal. It takes a harder person to live here.”
The Williston Police Department reported an overall increase in crimes between 2022 and 2023.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
