Bowdle, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Edmunds County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
442 Population 691/sq mi density
$55,875 Median Income $33,325 per capita
$95,600 Home Value $122,187 Zillow
$693 Median Rent 14.8% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$55,875 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,600 home value, $693/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Bowdle has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.4 inches. The area receives 47.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.6°F
21% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,991 ft (607 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density691/sq mi
Coordinates45.4513°N, 99.6565°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyEdmunds County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
60 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.4"
46% below US avg
Snowfall 47.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.58"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score7.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience58.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively 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 Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M3.7 on May 30, 2024.

May 30, 2024 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota M3.7 110 km
Aug 9, 2011 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota M3.3 137 km
Aug 15, 2017 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota M3.0 72 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

302 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 36 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 22, 2010 EF4 7 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 99 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 24 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 86 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 92 km 0
Jun 21, 1983 EF3 71 km 0
Aug 19, 1974 EF3 95 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 93 km 1
Jun 20, 1968 EF3 45 km 0
Jun 20, 1968 EF3 30 km 0
Jul 31, 1966 EF3 63 km 2
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 62 km 0
Aug 28, 2024 EF2 53 km 0
Aug 30, 2020 EF2 98 km 1
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 71 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 51 km 0
Jul 18, 2001 EF2 22 km 0
Sep 2, 1983 EF2 69 km 0
Sep 2, 1983 EF2 83 km 0
Jun 22, 1983 EF2 72 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

13 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: LAPLANTE (14,777 ac, 2002).

Year Name Acres Distance
2002 LAPLANTE 14,777 82 km
1991 UNNAMED 14,487 82 km
2000 TRIBLE 9,718 83 km
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 20 km
2006 1804 2,778 53 km
2011 MOUND CITY 2,755 54 km
2006 FOUR BEAR 2,179 69 km
2000 FTMANUEL 2,124 80 km
2003 JOEL BERTSCH 2 1,460 53 km
1991 UNNAMED 1,438 65 km
2004 ALLEN STUECKLE 1,330 46 km
2005 N HYDE 1,204 84 km
2021 FUZZY 1,075 73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 12°F (-11°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 16°F (-9°C) 0.7 in
March 28°F (-2°C) 0.9 in
April 42°F (6°C) 1.6 in
May 55°F (13°C) 3.2 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.6 in Wettest
July 71°F (22°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 69°F (20°C) 2.4 in
September 60°F (15°C) 2.0 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.8 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 0.6 in
December 18°F (-8°C) 0.5 in

Bowdle has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.5").

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