Hecla, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Brown County County

1.5 /5.0
D Poor
204 Population 600/sq mi density
$47,100 Home Value $211,244 Zillow
43°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.5 / 5.0
Below average overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Hecla has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.0 inches. The area receives 37.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.8°F
21% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,302 ft (397 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density600/sq mi
Coordinates45.8821°N, 98.1519°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBrown County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.0"
37% below US avg
Snowfall 37.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.04"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.57"

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: M4.1. Most recent: M3.7 on Oct 20, 1995.

Jun 5, 1993 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota M4.1 146 km
Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 100 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

374 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 46 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 31 km 0
Jul 17, 2011 EF3 77 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 40 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 52 km 0
May 20, 1974 EF3 76 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 33 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 80 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 75 km 1
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 48 km 0
May 20, 1965 EF3 26 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 46 km 1
Jul 1, 1952 EF3 95 km 0
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 55 km 0
Jul 10, 2011 EF2 30 km 0
Jul 14, 2010 EF2 69 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 77 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 13 km 0
Jul 15, 2007 EF2 92 km 0
Jun 29, 2005 EF2 42 km 0
Aug 15, 1999 EF2 83 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

10 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 BIESTERFELD 3,481 82 km
2003 DANIELSON 1,682 77 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 40 km
2003 OLERUD 1,275 91 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 4 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 66 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,128 96 km
2019 UNNAMED 1,060 96 km
2021 HARTLEBEN WPA 1,002 95 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 15°F (-9°C) 0.6 in
March 29°F (-2°C) 0.9 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.8 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.4 in
June 67°F (19°C) 4.0 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 2.9 in
September 60°F (16°C) 2.5 in
October 45°F (7°C) 2.2 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 0.8 in
December 17°F (-8°C) 0.6 in

Hecla has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 11°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.6").

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