Baby Boom Check-In: Williston North Dakota Welcomes Hundreds of New Faces

A new year always has a way of making us take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. We look at snow totals, job numbers, housing starts—and around here, there’s another unofficial but time-honored measure of how a town is really doing: babies. Lots of babies.

Because nothing says “things are happening” quite like a busy maternity ward.

At CHI St. Alexius Health in Williston, 2024 wrapped up with a whopping 634 births. That’s a lot of newborn cries, proud grandparents, and coffee-fueled parents learning the fine art of functioning on two hours of sleep. For a community our size, that’s a strong, healthy number—and a reminder that Williston continues to be a place where people are planting roots, not just passing through.

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A Small Dip, But a Bright Future for Western North Dakota

I reached out to Marcia at the hospital, and in 2025 did see a slight dip, with 568 births reported. Yes, that’s down a bit—but let’s keep some perspective here. That’s still hundreds of new North Dakotans arriving in one year, each one destined to someday ask “why is it so windy?” or argue about the best place to get a burger in town. In other words, the future looks just fine.

In western North Dakota especially, numbers like these matter. They tell a story beyond charts and graphs. They say families feel confident enough to stay, grow, and raise kids here. They say our hospitals are busy for the best possible reason. And they say our schools, parks, and community events will have no shortage of tiny participants in the years ahead.

Read More: North Dakota Sees Fewer Homicides In 2024 Than Before

So as we step into another new year, it’s worth celebrating these numbers—even the slightly smaller ones. Because whether it’s 634 or 568, each birth represents hope, growth, and another chapter in Williston’s story.

And let’s be honest: a town with this many babies? That’s a town that’s very much alive.