Sheldon, ND

Full City Profile · North Dakota · Ransom County County

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
118 Population 288/sq mi density
$55,000 Median Income $34,408 per capita
$55,600 Home Value $168,960 Zillow
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$55,000 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$55,600 home value, /mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Sheldon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.6 inches. The area receives 46.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.1°F
16% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,077 ft (328 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density288/sq mi
Coordinates46.5885°N, 97.4944°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyRansom County County
Nearest AirportHector International (FAR)
39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.6"
38% below US avg
Snowfall 46.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.13"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.54"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score13.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability22.0 / 100
Community Resilience96.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.1. Most recent: M3.7 on Oct 20, 1995.

Jun 5, 1993 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota M4.1 138 km
Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 101 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

445 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 164 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957 EF5 36 km 10
Aug 7, 2010 EF4 85 km 0
Jul 18, 2004 EF4 71 km 0
Jun 28, 1975 EF4 66 km 0
Jul 2, 1955 EF4 39 km 2
Jul 17, 2011 EF3 88 km 0
Jun 28, 1975 EF3 76 km 0
May 20, 1974 EF3 75 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 58 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 66 km 0
Jun 16, 1973 EF3 93 km 0
Jun 15, 1973 EF3 36 km 0
Aug 23, 1968 EF3 96 km 0
May 5, 1964 EF3 91 km 0
Sep 6, 1958 EF3 52 km 0
Jul 16, 1957 EF3 91 km 0
Aug 30, 1956 EF3 63 km 0
Jul 2, 1955 EF3 61 km 0
Jul 1, 1952 EF3 71 km 0
Jun 13, 1950 EF3 40 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

14 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 BIESTERFELD 3,481 23 km
2003 ROTHSAY 3,015 87 km
2003 DANIELSON 1,682 82 km
2003 OLERUD 1,275 22 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 94 km
1996 UNNAMED 1,153 84 km
1985 ALICE 02 1,142 19 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,128 67 km
2006 FULLERS LAKE 06 1,109 78 km
2019 UNNAMED 1,060 67 km
2021 HARTLEBEN WPA 1,002 69 km
1992 MEADOWS 922 76 km
2007 HAUGVEDT WPA 630 95 km
2006 MEADOWS (SOUTH) 569 77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-11°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 17°F (-8°C) 0.6 in
March 30°F (-1°C) 1.2 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.5 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.2 in
June 69°F (21°C) 4.1 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 2.7 in
September 63°F (17°C) 2.7 in
October 48°F (9°C) 2.1 in
November 33°F (0°C) 0.8 in
December 19°F (-7°C) 0.7 in

Sheldon has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 13°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.5").

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