Watford City, North Dakota

Watford City, North Dakota
Main Street Watford City
Motto: 
"Come be our guest"
Location of Watford City, North Dakota
Coordinates: 47°48′05″N 103°16′00″W / 47.801492°N 103.266731°W / 47.801492; -103.266731
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Dakota
CountyMcKenzie
Founded1914
IncorporatedJune 1915
Government
 • MayorPhil Riely
 • City CouncilBethany Devlin
Carissa Suter
Chelsea Bulzomi
Lance Renville
Shilo Chavez
Steve Sanford
Area
 • Total
8.994 sq mi (23.294 km2)
 • Land8.915 sq mi (23.090 km2)
 • Water0.079 sq mi (0.204 km2)  0.88%
Elevation
2,054 ft (626 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,207
 • Estimate 
(2024)
6,207
 • Density691.4/sq mi (266.97/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
58854
Area code701
FIPS code38-83860
GNIS feature ID1036317
HighwaysUS 85, ND 23, ND 23 Alt.
Sales tax6.5%
Websitecityofwatfordcity.gov

Watford City (Hidatsa: abaʔaruʔush), founded in 1914, is a city in and the county seat of McKenzie County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 6,207 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 6,207 in 2024, making it the 14th most populous city in North Dakota. Because Watford City is part of the Bakken field, the North Dakota oil boom has significantly increased population and construction since the 2010 census.

The main offices of First International Bank and the headquarters of McKenzie Electric Cooperative are in Watford City. The local newspaper is the McKenzie County Farmer.