White Shield, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, White Shield, North Dakota had a total population of 246, the 160th largest community in North Dakota, with a median household income of $68,750, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
White Shield Quick Facts
How White Shield 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 | 277 | 246 | -11.2% |
| Median household income | $65,750 | $68,750 | +4.6% |
How White Shield 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+)
White Shield Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn | 1,507 | $73,413 | 10.7% | $238,200 |
| Garrison | 1,397 | $71,974 | 6.5% | $165,800 |
| Underwood | 699 | $85,577 | 10.2% | $191,200 |
| Turtle Lake | 500 | $67,639 | 12.1% | $120,100 |
| Max | 358 | $80,208 | 1.4% | $137,500 |
| Benedict | 227 | $61,791 | 0.4% | $241,000 |
| Riverdale | 187 | $73,333 | 4.3% | $222,700 |
| Butte | 68 | N/A | 22.1% | $137,500 |
| Coleharbor | 66 | $78,750 | 7.6% | $166,700 |
| Mercer | 66 | $46,429 | 34.8% | $84,300 |
Cities Similar to White Shield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmore | 240 | $70,792 | $85,000 | 43.3% | 22.6% |
| Willow City | 238 | $74,375 | $64,500 | 18.8% | 5.9% |
| Leonard | 248 | $59,722 | $162,500 | 21.2% | 6.5% |
| Abercrombie | 232 | $64,844 | $156,300 | 18.3% | 9.0% |
| Kensal | 233 | $75,000 | $118,800 | 26.8% | 1.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 246, White Shield'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
White Shield is a small community located in North Dakota, within McLean County. The total population is 246. It ranks as the 160th most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in White Shield is 33.2 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.9 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, White Shield has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in White Shield is $68,750. This is 10% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.3%. This is 171% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 2.8%. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
White Shield is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 81.7%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.7% vs 1.6%).
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for White Shield, 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 White Shield, North Dakota?
White Shield, North Dakota has a population of 246 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in White Shield, ND?
The median household income in White Shield is $68,750, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in White Shield, ND?
The poverty rate in White Shield is 29.3%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of White Shield, North Dakota?
White Shield's population is 2.0% White, 0.4% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in White Shield, ND?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for White Shield — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is White Shield, North Dakota?
23.2% of adults (25+) in White Shield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.