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Big Stone City, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Big Stone County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
609 Population 508/sq mi density
$50,333 Median Income $36,672 per capita
$122,500 Home Value $249,451 Zillow
$705 Median Rent 19.4% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$50,333 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$122,500 home value, $705/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Big Stone City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 26.5 inches. The area receives 43.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,097 ft (334 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density508/sq mi
Coordinates45.3087°N, 96.4726°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBig Stone County County
Nearest AirportWatertown Regional (ATY)
43 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.5"
30% below US avg
Snowfall 43.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.66"
Driest Month (Dec) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score8.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability38.2 / 100
Community Resilience77.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.1. Most recent: M2.5 on Apr 29, 2011.

Jun 5, 1993 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota M4.1 43 km
Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 61 km
Feb 9, 1994 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota M3.1 121 km
Apr 29, 2011 Minnesota M2.5 105 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

426 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 93 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 8, 2020 EF4 96 km 1
Aug 7, 2010 EF4 90 km 0
Jul 25, 2000 EF4 78 km 1
Jul 7, 1955 EF4 95 km 1
May 30, 2022 EF3 63 km 0
May 17, 1996 EF3 17 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 79 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 77 km 0
Jul 18, 1983 EF3 71 km 0
May 10, 1982 EF3 79 km 0
Jun 18, 1964 EF3 86 km 0
May 5, 1964 EF3 83 km 0
Jul 1, 1952 EF3 92 km 0
May 30, 2022 EF2 96 km 0
May 30, 2022 EF2 73 km 0
May 30, 2022 EF2 77 km 0
May 30, 2022 EF2 75 km 0
May 12, 2022 EF2 87 km 0
May 12, 2022 EF2 79 km 0
May 12, 2022 EF2 80 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 ac, 2004).

Year Name Acres Distance
2004 LOUISBURGRADE 6,487 21 km
2024 DORAN WMA 2,455 96 km
2003 CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE 2,067 41 km
2004 FISH FIRE 1,799 16 km
2003 DANIELSON 1,682 83 km
2005 GRAND MEWS 1,245 13 km
1998 LEE 1,137 11 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,128 97 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,115 11 km
2003 ANDERSON 1,082 16 km
2019 UNNAMED 1,060 97 km
2021 HARTLEBEN WPA 1,002 95 km
1998 ANDREASEN 1,001 15 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 67 km
1990 ANDERSON 988 12 km
2007 ANDERSON 797 16 km
2006 ANDERSON 764 12 km
1986 ANDERSON 746 16 km
2000 FISH 720 14 km
2010 WALDEN 717 64 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-11°C) 0.6 in Coldest
February 18°F (-8°C) 0.6 in
March 30°F (-1°C) 1.5 in
April 45°F (7°C) 2.3 in
May 58°F (15°C) 2.7 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.7 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 2.8 in
September 60°F (16°C) 2.1 in
October 48°F (9°C) 2.0 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 1.1 in
December 17°F (-9°C) 0.5 in Driest

Big Stone City has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 13°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and December the driest (0.5").

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