Bristol, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Day County County

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
245 Population 471/sq mi density
$51,250 Median Income $34,990 per capita
$61,700 Home Value $218,842 Zillow
$738 Median Rent 18.6% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$51,250 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$61,700 home value, $738/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Bristol has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.8 inches. The area receives 41.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.2°F
18% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,788 ft (545 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density471/sq mi
Coordinates45.3438°N, 97.7450°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDay County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.8"
37% below US avg
Snowfall 41.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.62"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score27.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability74.7 / 100
Community Resilience84.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.1. Most recent: M3.1 on Jul 26, 2002.

Jun 5, 1993 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota M4.1 119 km
Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 85 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 115 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

414 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 55 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 65 km 0
May 30, 2022 EF3 95 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 81 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 59 km 0
May 17, 1996 EF3 93 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 52 km 0
Jul 18, 1983 EF3 67 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 76 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 97 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 60 km 1
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 29 km 0
May 20, 1965 EF3 86 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 40 km 1
May 12, 2022 EF2 90 km 0
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 90 km 0
Jul 10, 2011 EF2 87 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 73 km 0
Jun 29, 2005 EF2 68 km 0
Sep 23, 2004 EF2 88 km 0
Jul 27, 1999 EF2 93 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DANIELSON (1,682 ac, 2003).

Year Name Acres Distance
2003 DANIELSON 1,682 76 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 45 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 71 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 11 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 35 km
2006 MOSQUITO RANCH 656 85 km
1997 ROBIN HOOD 542 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-11°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 18°F (-8°C) 0.6 in Driest
March 31°F (-1°C) 1.1 in
April 44°F (7°C) 2.0 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.9 in
June 67°F (19°C) 3.6 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 3.3 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.0 in
September 61°F (16°C) 2.5 in
October 47°F (8°C) 2.4 in
November 32°F (0°C) 0.9 in
December 19°F (-7°C) 0.8 in

Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.6").

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