Bowbells, ND

Full City Profile · North Dakota · Burke County County

4.1 /5.0
A Great
267 Population 281/sq mi density
$80,938 Median Income $54,892 per capita
$113,600 Home Value $233,818 Zillow
$525 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
38°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$80,938 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$113,600 home value, $525/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Bowbells has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.7 inches. The area receives 47.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-13°C) 65°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average37.9°F
30% below US avg
January Average8°F (-13°C)
July Average65°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation1,960 ft (597 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density281/sq mi
Coordinates48.8022°N, 102.2458°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBurke County County
Nearest AirportMinot International (MOT)
58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.7"
59% below US avg
Snowfall 47.4"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.70"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.37"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood
Good Days %83.3%
Unhealthy Days10

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0483 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)3.4 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)1.51 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.3 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score1.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience58.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M3.3 on Sep 28, 2012.

Nov 11, 1998 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota M3.5 134 km
Sep 28, 2012 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota M3.3 117 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

143 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 7 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 5, 1955 EF4 42 km 0
Aug 12, 2010 EF3 5 km 1
Jul 6, 1977 EF3 55 km 0
Jul 11, 1974 EF3 69 km 0
Jul 23, 1997 EF2 52 km 1
Jun 5, 1976 EF2 70 km 0
Jun 4, 1974 EF2 79 km 0
Aug 5, 1969 EF2 22 km 0
Jun 14, 1962 EF2 59 km 0
Aug 2, 1960 EF2 89 km 0
Jun 30, 1958 EF2 90 km 0
Jul 6, 2024 EF1 70 km 0
Jul 8, 2009 EF1 35 km 0
Jul 8, 2009 EF1 37 km 0
Jul 18, 2003 EF1 78 km 0
Jul 19, 2001 EF1 26 km 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF1 24 km 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF1 64 km 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF1 89 km 0
Jun 26, 1990 EF1 70 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 ac, 2024).

Year Name Acres Distance
2024 WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE 67,150 88 km
2015 LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 6,837 22 km
2005 H RX 05 WILD 5,644 23 km
1986 WILDERNESS 5,615 23 km
1997 WILDERNESS 5,556 23 km
2005 CLEAR LAKE 5,040 41 km
2024 CHARLSON 3,055 99 km
2005 LOSTWOOD NON-NFP 2,769 28 km
2006 HB 35 2,164 16 km
2023 NDLWR-HFR-FY23-RX-ASPEN 2,074 23 km
2017 NDLWR FY17 RX CENTRAL CORE 1,899 26 km
2016 LWR WUI RX FESCUE 2016 1,802 27 km
1993 KRUSES 1,802 29 km
1990 KRUSES 1,619 29 km
1986 KRUSES 1,615 30 km
1996 KRUSES 1,516 30 km
2003 KRUSE 1,507 30 km
1987 TEAL 1,470 21 km
2001 HB 35 1,441 15 km
2010 ASPEN HFR 1,333 24 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 8°F (-13°C) 0.4 in Coldest
February 11°F (-12°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 23°F (-5°C) 0.6 in
April 39°F (4°C) 0.9 in
May 52°F (11°C) 2.3 in
June 61°F (16°C) 3.7 in Wettest
July 65°F (19°C) 2.5 in Warmest
August 64°F (18°C) 1.4 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.5 in
October 40°F (5°C) 1.0 in
November 24°F (-4°C) 0.5 in
December 12°F (-11°C) 0.5 in

Bowbells has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 8°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (0.4").

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