McKenzie County, ND neighbors Billings near Watford City metropolitan centre granting a 2020 estimated population standing of 11,179 making it the 1st most populous county located in North Dakota overall. Its county seat is Watford City with other towns include Arnegard & Cartwright-Watford City itself corresponds out to McKenzie’s biggesttown aside from recognized country seat. This area had been created out of Billings and Stark Counties back in 1918 when local residents petitioned for new administrative boundaries - posthumously named after Alexander McKenzie early explorer observing region prior era Woodrow Wilson .