Custer, SD
Full City Profile · South Dakota · Custer County County
4.3
/5.0
A
Great
2,148
Population
839/sq mi density
$80,188
Median Income
$51,795 per capita
$229,500
Home Value
$474,229 Zillow
$926
Median Rent
23.0% income on rent
43°F
Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Strong
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$80,188 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$229,500 home value, $926/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Custer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.8 inches. The area receives 57.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 43.1°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,316 ft (1,620 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 839/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.7667°N, 103.5996°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rapid City Regional (RAP) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 75.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 9 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0488 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 4.8 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in |
Custer has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 25°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").