Nespelem, WA

Full City Profile · Washington · Ferry County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
155 Population 816/sq mi density
$50,938 Median Income $28,464 per capita
$89,000 Home Value $237,661 Zillow
$1,050 Median Rent 10.0% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$50,938 median income, 6.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$89,000 home value, $1,050/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Nespelem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches. The area receives 27.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,864 ft (568 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density816/sq mi
Coordinates48.1669°N, 118.9721°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyFerry County County
Nearest AirportGrant County International (MWH)
68 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.1"
71% below US avg
Snowfall 27.9"
Wettest Month (Dec) 1.42"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.33"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability91.2 / 100
Community Resilience11.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

182 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.6. Most recent: M2.6 on Jun 6, 2025.

Jun 24, 1997 16 km WNW of Malott, Washington M4.6 71 km
Jun 27, 2013 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington M4.3 133 km
Sep 1, 2015 15 km N of Nespelem Community, Washington M4.2 16 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 129 km
Sep 10, 2016 23 km E of Oliver, Canada M3.9 117 km
Apr 15, 1991 4 km SE of Pateros, Washington M3.9 68 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 129 km
Mar 3, 1998 16 km NNE of Grand Forks, Canada M3.8 120 km
Jan 26, 1992 9 km SSE of Okanagan Falls, Canada M3.7 129 km
Jul 4, 1997 8 km NNE of Waterville, Washington M3.7 94 km
Jun 24, 1997 16 km NW of Malott, Washington M3.6 71 km
Dec 24, 2000 8 km NNW of Entiat, Washington M3.5 107 km
Jun 6, 2002 7 km NW of Entiat, Washington M3.4 110 km
Jan 24, 1992 4 km WNW of Waterville, Washington M3.4 103 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 144 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 127 km
Sep 13, 2012 10 km ESE of Rock Island, Washington M3.4 121 km
Jul 24, 2017 Washington M3.3 94 km
Jan 14, 2004 2 km S of Manson, Washington M3.3 95 km
Sep 3, 1997 4 km WNW of Entiat, Washington M3.3 110 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

25 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972 EF3 57 km 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 80 km 0
Apr 5, 1972 EF2 53 km 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 76 km 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 83 km 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 83 km 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 1 km 0
Jul 21, 1997 EF1 1 km 0
May 31, 1997 EF1 63 km 0
May 30, 1987 EF1 60 km 0
Jul 25, 1983 EF1 95 km 0
May 3, 1982 EF1 49 km 0
Aug 14, 1980 EF1 88 km 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF1 50 km 0
Mar 26, 2024 EF0 79 km 0
Jul 10, 2023 EF0 49 km 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 54 km 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 57 km 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 57 km 0
Jun 6, 2009 EF0 58 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Tsunami History

9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m - 76 km
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m - 60 km
2024 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 14.3 m - 76 km
1944 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.1 m - 76 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m - 81 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 4.8 m - 76 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m - 68 km
1953 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological - - 76 km
1952 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological - - 76 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Glacier Peak (159 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Glacier Peak Stratovolcano 3,213 m (10,541 ft) 1700 159 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: CARLTON COMPLEX (276,249 ac, 2014).

Year Name Acres Distance
2014 CARLTON COMPLEX 276,249 74 km
2015 NORTH STAR 218,547 28 km
2020 PEARL HILL 217,720 62 km
2020 COLD SPRINGS 187,561 41 km
2015 TUNK BLOCK 180,111 44 km
2015 LIMEBELT 137,098 65 km
2020 WHITNEY 127,930 68 km
2012 BARKER CANYON COMPLEX 85,906 25 km
2018 GRASS VALLEY 76,074 29 km
2015 CARPENTER RD. 62,488 67 km
2015 BLACK CANYON 61,379 83 km
2021 WHITMORE 59,925 21 km
2006 TRIPOD COMPLEX (TRIPOD) 59,712 85 km
2021 SUMMIT TRAIL 54,855 46 km
2015 STICKPIN 54,119 86 km
2019 WILLIAMS FLATS 44,680 41 km
2002 DEER POINT 41,348 92 km
2021 CHUWEAH CREEK FIRE 37,393 8 km
2001 VIRGINIA L 35,780 48 km
2001 ST MARYS 34,914 32 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 1.2 in Coldest
February 32°F (0°C) 0.9 in
March 41°F (5°C) 1.1 in
April 49°F (10°C) 1.0 in
May 58°F (15°C) 1.1 in
June 65°F (18°C) 1.2 in
July 74°F (23°C) 0.5 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 0.3 in Driest
September 64°F (18°C) 0.4 in
October 50°F (10°C) 0.9 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.2 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 in Wettest

Nespelem has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 28°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.4") and August the driest (0.3").

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