Colton, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Minnehaha County County

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
802 Population 1,146/sq mi density
$82,639 Median Income $33,188 per capita
$186,000 Home Value $336,470 Zillow
$739 Median Rent 15.0% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$82,639 median income, 6.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$186,000 home value, $739/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Colton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.9 inches. The area receives 39.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.1°F
16% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,601 ft (488 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density1,146/sq mi
Coordinates43.7875°N, 96.9286°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMinnehaha County County
Nearest AirportJoe Foss Field (FSD)
17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.9"
27% below US avg
Snowfall 39.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.28"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.48"

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood
Good Days %81.4%
Unhealthy Days2

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0443 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)8.4 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)0.16 ppb
CO (Carbon Monoxide)0.24 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)7.7 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability14.1 / 100
Community Resilience86.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 124 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 121 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 112 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 118 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 132 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

615 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 321 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992 EF5 73 km 1
Jun 25, 2010 EF4 88 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF4 87 km 0
May 30, 1998 EF4 61 km 6
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 30 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 8 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF4 84 km 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 73 km 1
Jul 7, 1955 EF4 97 km 1
Aug 7, 1994 EF3 94 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 24 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 28 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 11 km 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 36 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 58 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 95 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 66 km 0
Apr 20, 1985 EF3 68 km 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 59 km 0
Jul 5, 1978 EF3 77 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 15°F (-9°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 20°F (-7°C) 1.0 in
March 32°F (0°C) 1.4 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.1 in
May 58°F (14°C) 3.7 in
June 68°F (20°C) 4.3 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 3.5 in
September 61°F (16°C) 3.2 in
October 48°F (9°C) 2.1 in
November 33°F (0°C) 1.1 in
December 20°F (-6°C) 0.8 in

Colton has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 15°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.5").

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