From boomtown to hometown: Watford City charts its path for the next generation
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
On March 17, 2026, Watford City Mayor Phil Riely addressed the McKenzie County Board of Commissioners, presenting a detailed look at the city’s historic growth, current financial standing, and a vision for the future of downtown. Mayor Riely’s presentation highlighted the significant financial hurdles Watford City has overcome. Between 2010 and 2015, the city experienced a staggering 487 percent population boom and a 367 percent increase in debt, which peaked at nearly $140 million. At its height, the per capita debt reached over $20,000 per person.
Riely emphasized that these investments in roads, water, and sewer were essential to support a service population that now includes 7,500 daily residents and 1,000 hotel and business occupants. Today, the city’s debt has been reduced to $54 million. With freed-up cash flow, the city aims to accelerate the replacement of legacy infrastructure in the “old town” and invest in projects that ensure long-term sustainability.
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