Howard, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Miner County County

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
990 Population 1,021/sq mi density
$54,792 Median Income $30,547 per capita
$93,200 Home Value $258,166 Zillow
$516 Median Rent 17.7% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$54,792 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,200 home value, $516/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Howard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.4 inches. The area receives 35.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,561 ft (476 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,021/sq mi
Coordinates44.0117°N, 97.5246°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMiner County County
Nearest AirportMitchell Municipal (MHE)
30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.4"
31% below US avg
Snowfall 35.8"
Wettest Month (May) 3.88"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.63"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score3.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience97.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively 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 Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

8 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Jun 4, 2021 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.7 148 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 80 km
Jun 4, 2021 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.1 149 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 68 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 111 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 132 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 75 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 138 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

526 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 248 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014 EF4 70 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF4 36 km 0
May 30, 1998 EF4 32 km 6
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 58 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 24 km 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 97 km 1
May 5, 2007 EF3 81 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 64 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 57 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 47 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 31 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 44 km 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 49 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 8 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 47 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 98 km 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 87 km 0
Jun 15, 1970 EF3 48 km 0
Jun 20, 1968 EF3 52 km 0
May 24, 1965 EF3 57 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: TAHOHPI WUI RX (1,166 ac, 2009).

Year Name Acres Distance
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 22°F (-6°C) 0.7 in
March 34°F (1°C) 1.4 in
April 46°F (8°C) 2.7 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in Wettest
June 69°F (21°C) 3.7 in
July 74°F (23°C) 3.5 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 2.9 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.0 in
October 49°F (9°C) 2.4 in
November 34°F (1°C) 1.0 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 0.7 in

Howard has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.6").

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