Aurora Center, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Aurora County County

3.5 /5.0

B+ Good

13 Population 325/sq mi density

46°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr

B+

Overall

3.5 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Education

3.5 / 5.0

30.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Aurora Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 291 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 23.9 inches. The area receives 37.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.1°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	18°F (-8°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,650 ft (503 m)
Area	0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Population Density	325/sq mi
Coordinates	43.5272°N, 98.5895°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Aurora County County
Nearest Airport	Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.9"

37% below US avg

Snowfall 37.7"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.58"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	19.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	23.6 / 100
Community Resilience	60.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

15 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M2.5 on Apr 27, 2025.

Nov 3, 2002	16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska	M4.3	88 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	59 km
Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	31 km
Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	141 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	60 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	98 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	80 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	40 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	124 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	90 km
Jan 1, 2020	2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska	M2.8	147 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	121 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	60 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	31 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	104 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

423 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 243 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014	EF4	59 km	0
May 30, 1998	EF4	77 km	6
May 29, 1962	EF4	95 km	0
May 5, 2007	EF3	22 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	57 km	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	89 km	0
Jul 24, 1971	EF3	65 km	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	92 km	0
Jul 3, 1971	EF3	97 km	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	52 km	0
Jun 26, 1965	EF3	88 km	0
Jun 21, 1965	EF3	92 km	0
May 24, 1965	EF3	88 km	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	72 km	0
Jun 5, 1962	EF3	92 km	0
May 21, 1962	EF3	48 km	0
May 21, 1962	EF3	74 km	0
May 16, 1962	EF3	59 km	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	75 km	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	22 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 ac, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2022	HOLIDAY	2,936	90 km
2000	GANN VALLEY	2,534	78 km
2012	KAYLKOWSKI	1,966	81 km
2011	HIGHWAY 47	1,800	91 km
2005	CHAOS	1,539	93 km
2023	SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I	1,185	11 km
2009	TAHOHPI WUI RX	1,166	96 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	18°F (-8°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	24°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
March	35°F (1°C)	1.6 in
April	47°F (9°C)	2.4 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.4 in
June	69°F (21°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.2 in
September	63°F (17°C)	2.2 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.5 in
November	33°F (1°C)	0.9 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.5 in

Aurora Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 18°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.4").

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