Sheldon, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sheldon, North Dakota had a total population of 89, the 253rd largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $54,167, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.1% — among the lowest in North Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
Sheldon Quick Facts
How Sheldon Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118 | 89 | -24.6% |
| Median household income | $55,000 | $54,167 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $55,600 | $57,500 | +3.4% |
How Sheldon Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sheldon Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Ransom County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 2,259 | $64,327 | 15.4% | $192,100 |
| McLeod | 129 | $71,406 | 58.1% | $95,600 |
| Fort Ransom | 106 | $71,250 | 7.5% | $216,700 |
| Elliott | 33 | $66,250 | 9.1% | $73,800 |
| Englevale | 11 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sheldon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowdon | 90 | N/A | $72,900 | 33.3% | 2.2% |
| Blacktail | 93 | N/A | N/A | 52.6% | 0.0% |
| Regan | 85 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pisek | 91 | $50,000 | $66,300 | 10.1% | 12.1% |
| Douglas | 94 | $60,000 | $55,000 | 14.5% | 2.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 89, Sheldon's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Sheldon is a small community located in North Dakota, within Ransom County. The total population is 89. It ranks as the 253rd most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sheldon is 50.4 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 35.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sheldon is $54,167. This is 29% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.1%. This is 90% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 62% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $57,500. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Sheldon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 59% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sheldon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.0%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.0% vs 4.7%).
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 32.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sheldon, North Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sheldon, North Dakota?
Sheldon, North Dakota has a population of 89 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sheldon, ND?
The median household income in Sheldon is $54,167, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sheldon, ND?
The poverty rate in Sheldon is 1.1%. This means approximately 1 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sheldon, North Dakota?
Sheldon's population is 88.8% White, 1.1% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sheldon, ND?
The median home value in Sheldon is $57,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Sheldon, North Dakota?
10.4% of adults (25+) in Sheldon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.