Wishek ( ) is a city in McIntosh County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 864 as of the 2020 census, and was estimated at 827 in 2025.

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. The Old Wishek City Hall was built in 1916.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which is land and (0.62%) is water.

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.

Demographics

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 371 estimated households in Wishek with an average of 2.07 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $69,904. Approximately 12.9% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Wishek has an estimated 59.8% employment rate, with 23.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 86.3% holding a high school diploma. There were 434 housing units at an average density of .

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (82.2%), Spanish (6.0%), Indo-European (11.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.1%), and Other (0.5%).

The median age in the city was 48.6 years.

+Wishek, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1990 Pop. 2000 Pop. 2010 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 White alone (NH) 1,165 1,093 958773 99.49% 97.42% 95.61%89.47% Black or African American alone (NH) 0 0 03 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%0.35% Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2 2 95 0.17% 0.18% 0.90%0.58% Asian alone (NH) 1 0 113 0.09% 0.00% 0.10%1.50% Pacific Islander alone (NH) — 1 00 — 0.09% 0.00%0.00% Other race alone (NH) 0 0 06 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%0.69% Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — 9 325 — 0.80% 0.30%2.89% Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3 17 3139 0.26% 1.52% 3.09%4.51%Total1,1711,1221,002864100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census As of the 2020 census, there were 864 people, 396 households, and 216 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 500 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 90.86% White, 0.35% African American, 0.81% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from some other races, and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.51% of the population.

There were 396 households, 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a male householder with no spouse present, 4.0% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 45.5% were non-families. 42.4% of households were one person and 23.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age was 55.0 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.2% were from 25 to 44; 20.7% were from 45 to 64; and 36.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2010 census As of the 2010 census, there were 1,002 people, 454 households, and 263 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 516 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.30% White, 0.00% African American, 0.90% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from some other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.09% of the population.

There were 454 households, 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 households were one person and 23.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age 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 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census Languages (2000) Percent Spoke English at home 66.95% Spoke German at home 33.05% As of the 2000 census, there were 1,122 people, 466 households, and 290 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 532 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.84% White, 0.00% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from some other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.52% of the population.

There were 466 households, 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 households were one person and 23.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.77.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $30,208 and the median family income 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.

Education Wishek is served by the Wishek Public School District 19. It operates the Wishek School. In the 2025-26 academic year, the district reported a total of 250 students.

Notable people

Ted Mann, owner of the Mann Theatres Mark Pfeifle, top national security adviser and communicator for President George W. Bush

References

External links City of Wishek, North Dakota North Dakota Chamber of Commerce