Williston, ND Demographics

A map of Williston's Population by Race

Williston, North Dakota has an estimated population of 28,056, a decrease from the 29,160 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 73.6% White, 10.4% Hispanic, 6.4% Black, 4.8% Multiracial, 3.0% Native American/Other, and 1.7% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Williston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Williston has become 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 Williston, that probability was 45.9% in 2020 and 43.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Williston is ranked the 6th most populous place in North Dakota, out of 406 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Williston was ranked the 6th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Williston's White Population

20,661 residents of Williston, or 73.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Williston is lower than in North Dakota overall, where 81.7% of the population is White. Williston ranks 367th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 406 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williston's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Williston's population has increased from 72.2% to 73.6%.

Williston is more White than neighboring Trenton (40.1% White), and Epping (69.4% White). Williston is less White than neighboring Springbrook (85.2% White), Blacktail (81.7% White), and Alexander (89.4% White).

Williston's Black Population

1,806 residents of Williston, or 6.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Williston is slightly higher than in North Dakota overall, where 3.3% of the population is Black. Williston ranks 6th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 406 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williston's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.5%. Black residents' share of Williston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.4%.

Williston is more Black than neighboring Springbrook (0% Black), Trenton (0% Black), Blacktail (0% Black), Epping (0% Black), and Alexander (0% Black).

Williston's Asian Population

472 residents of Williston, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Williston is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Williston ranks 34th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 406 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williston's Asian population has declined by an estimated 13.4%. Asian residents' share of Williston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Williston is more Asian than neighboring Springbrook (0% Asian), Trenton (0.5% Asian), Blacktail (0% Asian), Epping (0% Asian), and Alexander (0.4% Asian).

Williston's Hispanic Population

2,920 residents of Williston, or 10.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Williston is higher than in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Hispanic. Williston ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 406 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williston's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 7.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Williston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.4%.

Williston is more Hispanic than neighboring Springbrook (0% Hispanic), Blacktail (0% Hispanic), Epping (0% Hispanic), and Alexander (7.1% Hispanic). Williston is less Hispanic than neighboring Trenton (11.3% Hispanic).

Williston's Native American/Other Population

848 residents of Williston, 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 Williston is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Williston ranks 77th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 406 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 4.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Williston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.0%.

Williston is more Native American/Other than neighboring Springbrook (0% Native American/Other), Blacktail (0% Native American/Other), Epping (1.6% Native American/Other), and Alexander (0% Native American/Other). Williston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Trenton (38.2% Native American/Other).

Williston's Multiracial Population

1,349 residents of Williston, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Williston is comparable to the share in North Dakota overall, where 4% of the population is Multiracial. Williston ranks 95th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 406 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Williston's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 15.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Williston's population has decreased from 5.5% to 4.8%.

Williston is more Multiracial than neighboring Alexander (3.1% Multiracial). Williston is less Multiracial than neighboring Springbrook (14.8% Multiracial), Trenton (9.9% Multiracial), Blacktail (18.3% Multiracial), and Epping (29% 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.