129 2nd St SW

Watford City sits in the heart of McKenzie County in northwestern North Dakota, serving as the county seat and a key hub for the region's energy industry. Founded in 1914 along the Great Northern Railroad, the city has deep roots in the Great Plains, but a significant oil boom beginning around 2010 reshaped it from a quiet rural town into a growing, economically active community. That energy sector presence remains a defining feature, drawing workers and businesses from across the country and giving the local economy a steady, industrial backbone. First International Bank and McKenzie Electric Cooperative are both headquartered here, reinforcing Watford City's role as an economic anchor for the broader region.

Despite its rapid growth, Watford City has held onto its small-town character. The downtown core along Main Street anchors daily life, offering a walkable stretch of local shops and services within a compact nine-square-mile footprint.