Wishek ( WISH-ik) 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.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code58495

Area code701

Living in Wishek

Safety in Wishek

—

Not graded

Wishek has fewer than 1,000 residents. At that size one or two incidents swing the numbers so much that a grade wouldn't be fair, so we show the counts instead.

Violent1

Property0

Reported in 20241

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Wishek

Full picture →

About one in 3 of Wishek’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Ashley (20%), Bismarck (6%) and Fargo (3%). Half commute less than 17 miles.

Ashley

20%

Bismarck

Fargo

Grand Forks

32%Work in townlive and work in Wishek 17 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 401Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Wishek →

Health in Wishek

Compared with North Dakota

4better than ND·12worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 16 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 1▲ 1▼ 2 close Care 3▲ 4 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

14.5%Fewer binge drinkersND 21.3% · better 85.1%More adults treating high blood pressureND 76.3% · better 11.5%More adults with heart diseaseND 6.1% · worse

Care nearby

South Central HealthWishek · 0.1 mi · ER · rural critical access

Family Healthcare Lamoure, North DakotaLamoure · 60.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Wishek · CMS · HRSAHealth in Wishek →

Natural hazards in Wishek

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 51% of U.S. communities.

🥶 Cold waves🌊 Inland flooding🧊 Hail

0Does Wishek flood?no paid flood claims on record 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Wishek

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Wishek →

Climate in Wishek

Full climate →

Wishek has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 2°, and about 42 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

24° / 5°Winter

52° / 29°Spring

79° / 54°Summer

55° / 32°Fall

How much snow does Wishek get?About 42 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 27, with the last in spring around May 13.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Wishek →

Schools in Wishek

All Wishek schools →

C⁺

School Grade C+

The public schools Wishek’s kids attend trail 60% of North Dakota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictWISHEK 19Schools2

Wishek Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 150 students Wishek High School CHigh · Grades 7–12 · 97 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within ND. Ratings are from neighbors.