Williams County Demographics

A map of Williams County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	29,931	30,761	75.7%	75.1%
Hispanic	4,028	3,897	10.2%	9.5%
Multiracial	2,063	2,252	5.2%	5.5%
Black	1,858	2,041	4.7%	5.0%
Native American/Other	1,194	1,387	3.0%	3.4%
Asian	481	612	1.2%	1.5%

Williams County, North Dakota has an estimated population of 39,555, a decrease from the 40,950 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.7% White, 10.2% Hispanic, 5.2% Multiracial, 4.7% Black, 3.0% Native American/Other, and 1.2% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Williams County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Williams has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than North Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Williams County, that probability was 42.0% in 2020 and 41.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Williams County is ranked the 5th most populous county in North Dakota, out of 53 counties. Williams County was ranked the 5th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Williams County's White Population

29,931 residents of Williams County, or 75.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Williams County is lower than in North Dakota overall, where 81.7% of the population is White. Williams County ranks 48th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Williams County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.7%. White residents' share of Williams County's population has increased from 75.1% to 75.7%.

Williams County is more White than neighboring McKenzie County (73.7% White), and Mountrail County (56.3% White). Williams County is less White than neighboring Divide County (88.1% White), Burke County (86.5% White), and Sheridan County (88.2% White).

Williams County's Black Population

1,858 residents of Williams County, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Williams County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 3.3% of the population is Black. Williams County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Williams County's Black population has declined by an estimated 9.0%. Black residents' share of Williams County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Williams County is more Black than neighboring Divide County (0.1% Black), McKenzie County (1.9% Black), Burke County (1.7% Black), Sheridan County (0% Black), and Mountrail County (1.8% Black).

Williams County's Asian Population

481 residents of Williams County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Williams County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Williams County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Williams County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 21.4%. Asian residents' share of Williams County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Williams County is more Asian than neighboring Divide County (0.5% Asian), McKenzie County (1.1% Asian), Sheridan County (0.7% Asian), and Mountrail County (0.6% Asian). Williams County is less Asian than neighboring Burke County (2.1% Asian).

Williams County's Hispanic Population

4,028 residents of Williams County, or 10.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Williams County is higher than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Hispanic. Williams County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Williams County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Williams County's population has increased from 9.5% to 10.2%.

Williams County is more Hispanic than neighboring Divide County (4.3% Hispanic), Burke County (2.5% Hispanic), Sheridan County (4% Hispanic), and Mountrail County (8.6% Hispanic). Williams County is less Hispanic than neighboring McKenzie County (12.1% Hispanic).

Williams County's Native American/Other Population

1,194 residents of Williams County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Williams County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Williams County ranks 13th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Williams County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Williams County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Williams County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Divide County (0% Native American/Other), Burke County (2.1% Native American/Other), and Sheridan County (2.3% Native American/Other). Williams County is less Native American/Other than neighboring McKenzie County (6.7% Native American/Other), and Mountrail County (28.5% Native American/Other).

Williams County's Multiracial Population

2,063 residents of Williams County, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Williams County is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4% of the population is Multiracial. Williams County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 53 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Williams County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 8.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Williams County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.2%.

Williams County is more Multiracial than neighboring McKenzie County (4.5% Multiracial), Burke County (5.1% Multiracial), Sheridan County (4.9% Multiracial), and Mountrail County (4.2% Multiracial). Williams County is less Multiracial than neighboring Divide County (6.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.