Watford City, ND, United States

Capital City

This small North Dakota town has seen its population more than triple to 6,207 since the 2010 census, thanks to the Bakken oil boom. But don't be fooled - the harsh climate, isolation, and persistent bureaucratic headaches make Watford City a tough sell for all but the most stalwart residents. The median household income of $88,351 is decent, but with 7.9% living in poverty and a long, bitterly cold winter, the quality of life here is a far cry from the glitz of an oil boom town. If you can handle the brutal weather, navigate the red tape, and have no qualms about living in a remote corner of the Great Plains, then Watford City might be your kind of place.