McKenzie County is the fastest growing county in the United States by percentage according to data recently released by the US Census Bureau. From 2010 to 2020 McKenzie County grew from 6,360 to 14,704 or 131%. For the same time period the Census Bureau reported Watford City, county seat for McKenzie County, growing from 1,744 to 6,207 or 256%. A host of news outlets picked up on the Census results for McKenzie County. Find their stories here:
The August Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
McKenzie County had 247 resident births and 105 resident deaths in 2020, according to data recently released by the North Dakota Department of Health Vital Statistics Division. That represents a decline in births from the all-time-high in 2019 where there were 278 births recorded. When compared to a decade ago in 2010 where there were 53 births and 56 deaths recorded.
AgweekTV in conjunction with StrengthenND is profiling modern-day homesteaders. Sandy Rieker who lives outside Alexander, ND is the first to be profiled. Rieker and her family moved to North Dakota a decade ago and through grit and determination have built a life that they love.
The Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce led a group of their members to visit Western ND in early July. The trip coincided with the North Dakota Petroleum Council’s Cookfest held in Arnegard. Tour attendees got to hear from petroleum industry leaders about the basics of the industry as well as new trends and technologies. The next day attendees met at the Rough Rider Center in Watford City to hear from western North Dakota leaders about the current state of affairs and what might be next for public and private projects. Tour attendees found the trip to be valuable—seeing things in person rather than just reading about them. Plans are underway to keep the east-west dialogue continuing.
