Williston Passes Bismarck in Sales Receipts -- North Dakota, USA

Hmmm, this is surprising. Little ol' Williston, population 12,000, has surpassed the capital of North Dakota, Bismarck, in sales receipts in most recent reporting quarter.

All figures rounded:

• Fargo: $593 million.
• Williston: $379 million.
• Bismarck: $363 million.
• Minot: $294 million.
• Grand Forks: $261 million.

Williston's 3Q10 results were up 151 percent over same period in 2009; an increase of more than $228 million.

Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot and Dickinson combined saw an increase of $146.5 million.

A spokesman said the fourth quarter should be even larger when considering oil activity and retail sales from the holiday season.

And then I read stories this past year that there's not enough money in Williston for schools and parks. I don't get it.

Reminder: those are sales receipts, not income for the city. Sales taxes vary but if the average is five (5) percent, that amounts to an increase of about $11 million for the third quarter compared to last year for Williston.