All Countries
Box Elder, SD
Full City Profile · South Dakota · Lawrence County County
3.3
/5.0
B
Good
12,457
Population
840/sq mi density
$73,698
Median Income
$31,248 per capita
$271,800
Home Value
$359,031 Zillow
$1,354
Median Rent
27.8% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
311 sunny days/yr
417
Violent Crime/100K
2,144 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$73,698 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$271,800 home value, $1,354/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
417 violent crimes/100K (10% above avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Box Elder experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 311 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 17.4 inches. The area receives 48.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.7°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,042 ft (927 m) |
| Area | 13.9 sq mi (36.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 840/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.1109°N, 103.0811°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.9 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in |
Box Elder has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").