Williams County
ND · Pop. 39,368 · Rural County
Williams County sits in North Dakota across 2,078 square miles, home to 39,368 people at 18.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, canola. A median home price of $268,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.71% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 121-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F and average winter lows of 3.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 14.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. CHI St Alexius Health Williston is 15.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.71% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, canola means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 18.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 121-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 14.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 3.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Williams County, ND is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 31/100
- Median home price
- $268k
- Property tax
- 0.71%
- Growing season
- 121 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 14.4"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- CHI St Alexius Health Williston, 15.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Williams County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Williams County?
- Williams County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 121-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.7°F, and average winter lows of 3.2°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, canola.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $268,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.71%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- CHI St Alexius Health Williston is 15.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore North Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Dakota
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The closest counties to Williams County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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