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Shell Lake, WI

Full City Profile · Wisconsin · Washburn County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,513 Population 259/sq mi density
$56,875 Median Income $39,049 per capita
$207,100 Home Value $302,303 Zillow
$713 Median Rent 27.6% income on rent
42°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
575 Violent Crime/100K 2,606 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$56,875 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$207,100 home value, $713/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
575 violent crimes/100K (51% above avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Shell Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 270 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 31.6 inches. The area receives 55.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.2°F
22% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,224 ft (373 m)
Area10.2 sq mi (26.4 km²)
Population Density259/sq mi
Coordinates45.7264°N, 91.9100°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWashburn County County
Nearest AirportRice Lake Regional/Carl's Field (RIE)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.6"
17% below US avg
Snowfall 55.7"
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.45"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.75"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score32.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability41.4 / 100
Community Resilience58.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

221 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 32 fatalities, 285 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 4, 1958 EF5 98 km 21
Jul 30, 1977 EF4 76 km 0
Jun 4, 1958 EF4 95 km 3
May 21, 1957 EF4 76 km 0
Sep 24, 2019 EF3 97 km 0
May 16, 2017 EF3 56 km 1
Sep 2, 2002 EF3 67 km 0
Jun 18, 2001 EF3 58 km 2
Jul 30, 1977 EF3 66 km 0
Jun 23, 1952 EF3 66 km 2
Jul 1, 2011 EF2 66 km 0
Jun 17, 2010 EF2 75 km 0
May 30, 1998 EF2 95 km 0
Apr 26, 1994 EF2 41 km 0
Sep 11, 1990 EF2 25 km 0
Sep 11, 1990 EF2 39 km 0
Sep 3, 1986 EF2 50 km 0
Sep 12, 1982 EF2 68 km 0
Sep 3, 1980 EF2 95 km 0
Jul 15, 1980 EF2 75 km 1
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

9 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: GERMANN ROAD FIRE (6,751 ac, 2013).

Year Name Acres Distance
2013 GERMANN ROAD FIRE 6,751 72 km
2024 RX-86_FY23 2,187 55 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,850 72 km
1990 UNNAMED 1,371 96 km
2007 PIONEER FIRE 1,072 81 km
1985 UNNAMED 1,068 94 km
2013 CRANBERRY FIRE 779 56 km
2024 RX-64 553 57 km
2007 BN COMPLEX 2 547 91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.9 in Coldest
February 16°F (-9°C) 0.8 in Driest
March 28°F (-2°C) 1.5 in
April 43°F (6°C) 2.4 in
May 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in
June 64°F (18°C) 4.0 in
July 69°F (21°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 4.5 in Wettest
September 57°F (14°C) 3.9 in
October 46°F (8°C) 2.7 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 1.9 in
December 15°F (-9°C) 1.1 in

Shell Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 11°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (0.8").

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