Garden City, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Clark County County

1.4 /5.0

F Poor

87 Population 218/sq mi density

$46,700 Home Value $487,240 Zillow

43°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr

262 Violent Crime/100K 2,215 property/100K

Overall

1.4 / 5.0

Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

262 violent crimes/100K

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. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 24.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.1°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	12°F (-11°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,848 ft (563 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density	218/sq mi
Coordinates	44.9593°N, 97.5804°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Clark County County
Nearest Airport	Watertown Regional (ATY) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.4"

36% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.70"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	4.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	61.2 / 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
February	18°F (-8°C)	0.6 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.3 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.1 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
July	71°F (22°C)	3.1 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.8 in
September	59°F (15°C)	2.0 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.9 in
December	16°F (-9°C)	0.5 in	Driest

Garden City has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and December the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →