Wishek, North Dakota

History

Wishek was platted in 1898 when the railroad was extended to that point. A post office has been in operation at Wishek since 1898. The city was named in honor of John H. Wishek, Sr., a local cattleman. Wishek was originally built up chiefly by Germans from Russia.

Geography

Wishek is located at 46°15′27″N 99°33′25″W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.45 square miles (3.76 km²), of which, 1.44 square miles (3.73 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,002 people, 454 households, and 263 families residing in the city. The population density was 695.8 inhabitants per square mile (268.6/km²). There were 516 housing units at an average density of 358.3 per square mile (138.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% White, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 454 households of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the city was 51.5 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 34.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,122 people, 466 households, and 290 families residing in the city. The population density was 772.1 people per square mile (298.8/km²). There were 532 housing units at an average density of 366.1 per square mile (141.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.84% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52% of the population.

There were 466 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out with 18.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 18.4% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 38.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,208, and the median income for a family was $36,696. Males had a median income of $25,441 versus $17,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,111. About 4.4% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Wishek has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.