Columbia, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Brown County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
170 Population 112/sq mi density
$59,038 Median Income $30,579 per capita
$121,900 Home Value $236,161 Zillow
44°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$59,038 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,900 home value, /mo rent
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Columbia 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 21.8 inches. The area receives 42.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.0°F
19% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,300 ft (396 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density112/sq mi
Coordinates45.6148°N, 98.3106°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBrown County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.8"
43% below US avg
Snowfall 42.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.76"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median24.0
RatingGood
Good Days %85.7%
Unhealthy Days4

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)7.1 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score73.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.1 / 100
Community Resilience85.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M3.1 on Jul 26, 2002.

Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 114 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 140 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

364 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 51 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 12 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 27 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 21 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 94 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 43 km 1
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 62 km 0
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 26 km 0
Jul 31, 1966 EF3 100 km 2
May 20, 1965 EF3 36 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 17 km 1
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 91 km 0
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 38 km 0
Jul 10, 2011 EF2 62 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 55 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 28 km 0
Jun 29, 2005 EF2 65 km 0
Jul 27, 1999 EF2 44 km 0
Jul 17, 1996 EF2 39 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF2 100 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF2 100 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: ROHRBACH (2,887 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 95 km
2003 DANIELSON 1,682 95 km
2003 JOEL BERTSCH 2 1,460 96 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 11 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 32 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 46 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-11°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 18°F (-8°C) 0.6 in
March 31°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
April 45°F (7°C) 1.9 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.3 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.8 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 3.1 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 2.2 in
September 61°F (16°C) 2.0 in
October 46°F (8°C) 2.1 in
November 31°F (-1°C) 0.7 in
December 18°F (-8°C) 0.6 in

Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.6").

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