Areas in North Dakota Among Nation’s Fastest-Growing

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Cities and counties in the western North Dakota oil patch continue to be among the fastest-growing areas in the country.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that between 2013 and 2014, Williston and Dickinson were the fastest-growing micropolitan areas in the country. A micropolitan area is an entity with between 10,000 and 50,000 people.

By percentage, Williams County remained the nation's fastest-growing county, with a population growth of nearly 9 percent. It was followed by Stark County, with 7 percent growth.

Williston is in Williams County and Dickinson is in Stark County.

People from around the country have flocked to the western North Dakota oil fields in recent years in search of good-paying jobs.