Eviction Rates Surge in Williams County: A Tale of the Fracking Boom in North Dakota

Williams County, North Dakota, stands as a prime example of the dual-edged sword that is the fracking boom. Over the past decade, the county has reaped immense benefits from the surge in oil extraction, witnessing a doubling of its largest city, Williston's population, alongside the extraction of millions of barrels of oil from its land. However, a housing crisis that has caused a spike in eviction rates has tainted this prosperity.

Williams County's Transition Amidst the Fracking Boom

A recent report from Bloomberg referenced a study conducted by sociologists affiliated with Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, Williams County experienced a drastic shift from almost no evictions in 2010 to an eviction rate exceeding 7% by 2020. Even during the peak of the oil boom in 2019, characterized by North Dakota contributing 11% of the country's oil production, eviction filing rates rivaled those of major renter-heavy cities like New York City and Philadelphia.

The Impact of Oil Industry Influx on Williams County's Affordability

The influx of workers drawn by job opportunities in the oil industry led to a scarcity of housing options, triggering a rural gentrification process. Rent prices soared, with two-bedroom apartments tripling in cost to $1,000 and makeshift accommodations like "man camps" and RVs becoming exorbitantly priced due to their scarcity. Weak tenant protections and an expedited eviction process further exacerbated the crisis.

Williams County's Struggle Beyond the Oil Boom

Despite the boom's slowdown around 2015 due to declining oil prices, the correlation between oil production and evictions remained stark. Local resident Steve Kemp recalled the housing crunch firsthand, emphasizing the exorbitant rents comparable to those in major metropolitan areas. Kemp, now a county commissioner, advocates for more affordable housing options to address the ongoing housing shortage.

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Additionally, there's a recognition of the need for proactive planning, including the construction of adequate housing, bolstering tenant protections, and considering equitable redistribution of new revenues to mitigate the adverse impacts of rapid economic growth. As Williams County explores carbon sequestration projects for sustainable growth, lessons from its housing challenges serve as a blueprint for future development strategies, emphasizing the importance of foresight and community-centric policies. Here's to positive things to come!