Signals
Williston
Minot
Growth
36 · Bottom 27%
vs48 · Bottom 48%
Climate
46 · Bottom 1%
vs52 · Bottom 5%
Physical resilience
80 · Top 14%
vs88 · Top 7%
Housing affordability
96 · Top 43%
vs97 · Top 41%
Access
0 · Bottom 1%
vs0 · Bottom 1%
Economic stability
74 · Top 20%
vs80 · Top 14%
Measured values
| Metric | Williston | Minot | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,555 | 76,484 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $85,595 | $78,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $44,320 | $42,764 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 19/sq mi | 16/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $284,800 | $254,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,123 | $1,039 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 53.0% | 62.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.4% | 28.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 8.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 111 | 168 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.8 | 2.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -15.3% | 34.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 1°F | 4°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 15.1" | 16.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 295 mi | 226 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.9 min | 21.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 31.8 | 34.2 | 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
Williston
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, ice storm.
Minot
Elevated or high exposure: winter weather, ice storm, wildfire.
Full profiles: Williston, ND Micro Area · Minot, ND Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology