Garden City, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Clark County County

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
87 Population 218/sq mi density
$46,700 Home Value $487,240 Zillow
43°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Garden City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.4 inches. The area receives 41.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average43.1°F
20% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,848 ft (563 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density218/sq mi
Coordinates44.9593°N, 97.5804°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyClark County County
Nearest AirportWatertown Regional (ATY)
21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.4"
36% below US avg
Snowfall 41.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.14"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.62"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score4.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience61.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.1. Most recent: M2.5 on Jan 16, 2022.

Jun 5, 1993 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota M4.1 128 km
Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 108 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 148 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 83 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 148 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

444 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 61 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 24, 2003 EF4 77 km 0
May 30, 2022 EF3 62 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 75 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 91 km 0
May 17, 1996 EF3 82 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 89 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 98 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 75 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 15 km 0
Jul 18, 1983 EF3 33 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 79 km 1
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 67 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 76 km 1
May 30, 2022 EF2 67 km 0
May 12, 2022 EF2 51 km 0
May 12, 2022 EF2 73 km 0
May 12, 2022 EF2 91 km 0
May 5, 2007 EF2 99 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 85 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF2 60 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

10 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: TACOMA PARK PLACE (1,336 ac, 2004).

Year Name Acres Distance
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 83 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 47 km
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 91 km
1998 LEE 1,137 100 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,115 100 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 55 km
2007 LEE 689 99 km
2006 MOSQUITO RANCH 656 99 km
2003 LEE 560 99 km
1993 LEE 516 99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 12°F (-11°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 17°F (-9°C) 0.6 in
March 29°F (-2°C) 1.0 in
April 42°F (6°C) 2.1 in
May 56°F (13°C) 3.1 in
June 66°F (19°C) 4.1 in Wettest
July 71°F (22°C) 3.6 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 2.7 in
September 60°F (16°C) 2.7 in
October 46°F (8°C) 2.2 in
November 31°F (-1°C) 0.8 in
December 18°F (-8°C) 0.7 in

Garden City has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.6").

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