Watford City, North Dakota

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Watford City, North Dakota
Motto: "Come be our guest"
Location in North Dakota
Location in North Dakota
Coordinates: 47°48′9″N 103°16′50″W / 47.8025, -103.28056
Country United States
State North Dakota
County McKenzie
Founded 1914
Incorporated
Government
 - Mayor Kent Pelton
Area
 - Total 1.5 sq mi (1.5 km²)
 - Land 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation 2,119 ft (646 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 1,435
 - Density 964.8/sq mi (371.9/km²)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 58854
Area code(s) 701
FIPS code 38-83860[1]
GNIS feature ID 1032701[2]
Website: http://www.4eyes.net/VisitorInformation/default.aspx

Watford City is a city in McKenzie County, North Dakota in the United States. It is the county seat of McKenzie County[3]. The population was 1,435 at the 2000 census. Watford City was founded in 1914.

The local newspaper is the McKenzie County Farmer and Watford City is the location of the main offices for the First International Bank and Trust. It is also the headquarters for McKenzie Electric Cooperative.

Contents

[edit] History

Watford City's namesake is Watford, Ontario. The former was named after the latter by Dr. Vaughan G. Morris, a Watford, Ontario native who homesteaded near Schafer, North Dakota (now a ghost town) before resettling in Watford City, North Dakota. Born in 1879, Morris graduated from Wayne State University and was Watford City's first doctor. He eventually moved to Beach, North Dakota and is buried in a cemetery between Watford City and Schafer.

[edit] Geography

Watford City is located at 47°48′9″N, 103°16′50″W (47.802603, -103.280505)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1920 260
1930 769 195.8%
1940 1,023 33%
1950 1,371 34%
1960 1,865 36%
1970 1,768 −5.2%
1980 2,119 19.9%
1990 1,784 −15.8%
2000 1,435 −19.6%
Est. 2006 1,382 [5] −3.7%

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,435 people, 619 households, and 378 families residing in the city. The population density was 964.8 people per square mile (371.9/km²). There were 790 housing units at an average density of 531.2/sq mi (204.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.91% White, 0.21% African American, 3.83% Native American, 0.07% Asian, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 619 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,688, and the median income for a family was $36,850. Males had a median income of $32,250 versus $21,193 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,084. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

[edit] Sites of interest

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named population

[edit] External links