As Williston and the surrounding area is being touted in the various media as the place to go to find work, untold numbers of the unemployed are wondering what about life in Williston.
Williston has all the Comforts of a Small Town and Crude Oil
The population of Williston has recently passed 15,000 due to the rapid influx of job-seekers. The decade from the year 2000 to 2010 saw an 18% increase in population as the oil industry began to ramp up production of oil in the Bakken oil region. As a result of the increase, Williston is changing.
Most of the hype recently has gone to oil and gas industries, but the Williston area also supports numerous other occupations, especially farmers. Within the city limits employment opportunities are much the same as in other towns of its size — retail sales, restaurants, wholesale, and governmental services including education. Of course, Williston has a huge edge in those jobs that involve oil production directly and indirectly.
Williston’s grand opportunity with increasing oil production is and will continue to create jobs in numbers that are difficult to project accurately. New technology has increased oil and gas production. There is still disagreement about how far the expansion of the oil industry will carry the growing economy. Nevertheless, optimism is high, and if current surveys conducted by the United States Geological Survey are substantially higher than the 2008 survey the impact will certainly stimulate economical growth.
Williston is a Pleasant Town with Growing Pains
Williston is located in the northwest corner of North Dakota with Montana only 20 miles to the west and the Canadian border about 50 miles to the north. The surrounding country consists primarily of rolling plains. Williston is on the north of the convergence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers. The pleasant small town facade of Williston is being changed by increasing numbers of mobile homes and newly constructed residences.
Winters are cold. Temperatures below zero are common during December, January, and February with snow on the ground into spring. The record low is -50 F, and temperatures of -10 or lower are common. Summer temperatures are milder than most of the country, and highs in the mid-80s are the summer norm. Rainfall is ample for growing grain and other crops.
Violent crime is below the national average, but traffic is increasing as the oil and gas industry grows. Real estate prices are increasing, as might be expected, but the general cost of living is below the national average. Williston has the usual complement of fast food, cinemas, and other franchises typical of towns its size. Sloulin Field International Airport is located in Williston and there are several smaller airfields in the immediate area.
The town is home to Williston State College — a two-year public college which provides general, vocational and technical education. It is associated with the University of North Dakota. Over 85% of the adult population has a high school diploma.
Mercy Medical Center provides an array of hospital services. There are several medical, dental, and chiropractic clinics. These services will almost certainly need to expand if the rapid growth continues.
Employment in Williston is Growing with Oil Production
Newspapers and Internet job sites are clear testimony to Williston’s growing economy and its current unemployment rate of an incredible 1.5%. Those considering a move should take care to investigate various job sources first. The oil industry is growing, but there is some uncertainty as to how far the boom will last. Growing pains are already challenging its resources.
Williston is situated over the Bakken oil field. For decades the oil field produced relatively little petroleum, but new techniques have increased production significantly over the region and wells are being drilled at a rapid pace. Williston was a more or less typical small town, but rapid growth has brought changes. The ultimate fate of the oil boom is not known, but the oil industry has increased the need for all types of jobs in Williston and the surrounding region into Montana.
Sources:
“Williston Area Chamber of Commerce,” Accessed: November 1, 2011
“Williston ND,” Accessed: November 1, 2011
Harvey Craft - I am a retired educator with diverse experience. I read anything science, education, and history. I write to share what I learn.
