White Shield, North Dakota

White Shield, North Dakota
CDP
White Shield in 1908
White Shield in 1908
Interactive map of White Shield, North Dakota
White Shield is located in North Dakota
White Shield
White Shield
Location within North Dakota
Coordinates: 47°39′37″N 101°50′37″W / 47.6602°N 101.8436°W / 47.6602; -101.8436
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Dakota
CountyMcLean
Founded1954
Named afterChief White Shield
Area
[1]
 • Total
3.796 sq mi (9.831 km2)
 • Land3.796 sq mi (9.831 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0.000 km2)  0.00%
Elevation
[2]
1,991 ft (607 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
363
 • Estimate 
(2025)[4]
268
 • Density95.6/sq mi (36.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
58540, 58775
Area code701
FIPS code38-85660
GNIS feature ID2393855[2]
HighwaysCR 7, ND 1804

White Shield (Arikara: nahtasuutaaká,[5] Hidatsa: maanaagi iixodagish[6]) is a census-designated place (CDP) lying within the boundaries of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. It is located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in McLean County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 363 as of the 2020 census,[3] and was estimated at 268 in 2025.[4] It is considered the primary community of the Arikara (Sahnish) people and is named for Chief White Shield.

History

White Shield was founded in 1954 to replace the town of Elbowoods (Arikara: hiswíkAt ([hisˈwikə̥t][7]), which was inundated by the creation of Lake Sakakawea. The name honors White Shield, an Arikara chief and a scout for General George Armstrong Custer.[8]

Geography

White Shield is in western McLean County, 6 miles (10 km) north of Lake Sakakawea, 20 miles (32 km) west of Garrison, and 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Parshall.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.796 square miles (9.83 km2), all land.[1]

Culture

As of 2014, White Shield's Arikara language speakers are active in language revitalization. The Arikara language is taught at Fort Berthold Community College, White Shield School, and at the Arikara Cultural Center.[9]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1990274—
200034827.0%
2010336−3.4%
20203638.0%
2025 (est.)268[4]−26.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
2020 Census[3]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 78 estimated households in White Shield with an average of 3.15 persons per household. The CDP has a median household income of $68,750. Approximately 29.3% of the CDP's population lives at or below the poverty line. White Shield has an estimated 100.0% employment rate, with 23.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.6% holding a high school diploma.[11] There were 103 housing units at an average density of 119.35 per square mile (46.1/km2).

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 (92.7%), Spanish (0.0%), Indo-European (0.0%), Asian and Pacific Islander (3.0%), and Other (4.3%).

The median age in the CDP was 33.2 years.

White Shield, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 2000[12] Pop. 2010[13] Pop. 2020[14] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3 7 16 0.86% 2.08% 4.41%
Black or African American alone (NH) 0 0 2 0.00% 0.00% 0.55%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 303 309 299 87.07% 91.96% 82.37%
Asian alone (NH) 0 0 8 0.00% 0.00% 2.20%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 1 2 20 0.29% 0.60% 5.51%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 41 18 18 11.78% 5.36% 4.96%
Total 348 336 363 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 363 people, 128 households, and 87 families residing in the CDP.[15] The population density was 95.63 inhabitants per square mile (36.9/km2). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 48.21 per square mile (18.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 4.41% White, 0.55% African American, 86.23% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from some other races and 6.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.96% of the population.[16]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 336 people, 102 households, and 76 families residing in the CDP.[17] The population density was 88.51 inhabitants per square mile (34.2/km2). There were 112 housing units at an average density of 29.50 per square mile (11.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.08% White, 0.00% African American, 96.73% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from some other races and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.36% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 348 people, 100 households, and 79 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 92.89 inhabitants per square mile (35.9/km2). There were 108 housing units at an average density of 28.83 per square mile (11.1/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 1.15% White, 0.00% African American, 98.56% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from some other races and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.78% of the population.

There were 100 households, out of which 52.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.0% were married couples living together, 33.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.48 and the average family size was 3.89.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 43.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $15,625, and the median income for a family was $15,625. Males had a median income of $15,625 versus $12,159 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,603. About 45.7% of families and 56.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 68.8% of those under age 18 and 53.3% of those age 65 or over.

Public safety

In 2020 the nearest fire station was in Garrison and the nearest police station was in New Town. In 2020 there were plans to establish a joint police and fire station.[18]

Education

The White Shield Public School District 85

  • White Shield High School (9-12) in Roseglen
  • White Shield Elementary School (PK-8) in Roseglen

The area is served by the White Shield School District 85.[19] It operates the Roseglen School. In the 2025-26 academic year, the district reported a total of 194 students.[20]

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: White Shield, North Dakota
  3. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  5. ↑ "American Indian Studies Research Institute, Arikara Dictionary, "White Shield, North Dakota"". Indiana University Bloomington. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Hidatsa Lessons Vocab2". Hidatsa Language Program. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  7. ↑ "AISRI Dictionary Database Search-- Arikara. Prototype version". Indiana University Bloomington. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  8. ↑ Wick, Douglas A. "White Shield". North Dakota Place Names. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  9. ↑ Rudy, Dan (April 16, 2014). "Arikara app aims to revitalize language". KSL-TV. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: White Shield CDP, North Dakota". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  12. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – White Shield CDP, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – White Shield CDP, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – White Shield CDP, North Dakota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  16. ↑ "How many people live in White Shield CDP, North Dakota". USA Today. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  17. ↑ "North Dakota: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 188 of 352. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  18. ↑ "White Shield keeping up with growing population with a new community center, public safety building". KX Television. October 28, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  19. ↑ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: McLean County, ND" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  20. ↑ "White Shield Public School District". North Dakota Information Technology. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Carol Juneau's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
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