With rich farmland, open prairies, rugged badlands, newcomers and old-timers, McKenzie County is unique in its economy, landscape and attitude. With over 1.7 million acres, we are North Dakota’s largest county geographically; and one of the top two highest oil producing counties in the United States. Largely due to petroleum development in the Bakken formation and its leaders’ progressive spirits, McKenzie County’s population has more than doubled in the past decade, and Watford City—our county seat—has more than tripled in population. Our community has found ways to move forward with both upswings and downswings in agriculture and energy markets with a continual determination to make our community a better place.
Voices of Watford City
Our Advantages
13,819
Population
Thriving Economy
$98,380
Median Family Income
Wide Open Spaces
31.3
Median Age
Watford City tackles housing challenges with innovative solutions
November 2024 Economy at a Glance
Living in McKenzie County podcast