Forbes, ND

Full City Profile · North Dakota · Brown County County

3.6 /5.0

B+ Good

23 Population 96/sq mi density

$97,000 Median Income $50,765 per capita

43°F Avg Temperature

B+

Overall

3.6 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

A+

Economy

4.9 / 5.0

$97,000 median income, 0.0% unemployment

Education

2.3 / 5.0

15.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Forbes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.1 inches. The area receives 39.2 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.2°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	12°F (-11°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation	1,558 ft (475 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	96/sq mi
Coordinates	45.9425°N, 98.7820°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brown County County
Nearest Airport	Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.1"

39% below US avg

Snowfall 39.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.79"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.61"

Air Quality

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)	7.1 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	73.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.1 / 100
Community Resilience	85.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M3.7 on Oct 20, 1995.

Oct 20, 1995	8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota	M3.7	150 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

353 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 57 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
May 22, 2010	EF4	93 km	0
Jul 18, 2004	EF4	98 km	0
Jun 23, 2002	EF4	40 km	0
Jul 17, 2011	EF3	62 km	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	76 km	0
Jun 23, 2002	EF3	27 km	0
May 31, 1996	EF3	58 km	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF3	58 km	0
May 20, 1974	EF3	70 km	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	80 km	1
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	78 km	0
Jun 25, 1969	EF3	77 km	0
Jul 31, 1966	EF3	54 km	2
May 20, 1965	EF3	24 km	0
Jun 21, 1961	EF3	68 km	1
Jul 4, 2020	EF2	31 km	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	67 km	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	93 km	0
Jul 14, 2010	EF2	95 km	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	48 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

6 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: ROHRBACH (2,887 ac, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2022	ROHRBACH	2,887	86 km
2003	JOEL BERTSCH 2	1,460	54 km
2004	TACOMA PARK PLACE	1,336	62 km
2004	ALLEN STUECKLE	1,330	69 km
2016	SLR 2016 RX MICHELL	1,242	46 km
2000	PHEASANT OPENER	1,206	98 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	12°F (-11°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	15°F (-10°C)	0.7 in
March	29°F (-2°C)	0.9 in
April	44°F (6°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.4 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	3.6 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	2.8 in
September	61°F (16°C)	2.1 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.7 in
December	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in	Driest

Forbes has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 12°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and December the driest (0.6").

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