Signals
Minot
Williston
Growth
48 · Bottom 48%
vs36 · Bottom 27%
Climate
52 · Bottom 5%
vs46 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 7%
vs80 · Top 14%
Housing affordability
97 · Top 41%
vs96 · Top 43%
Access
0 · Bottom 1%
vs0 · Bottom 1%
Economic stability
80 · Top 14%
vs74 · Top 20%
Measured values
| Metric | Minot | Williston | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,484 | 39,555 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $78,200 | $85,595 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,764 | $44,320 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 16/sq mi | 19/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $254,000 | $284,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,039 | $1,123 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.8% | 53.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.6% | 24.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | 8.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 168 | 111 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.2 | 2.8 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 34.4% | -15.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 4°F | 1°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 16.7" | 15.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 226 mi | 295 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.1 min | 20.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.2 | 31.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Minot
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, ice storm, wildfire.
Williston
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, ice storm.
Full profiles: Minot, ND Metro Area · Williston, ND Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology