Mellette, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Brown County County

4.2 /5.0
A Great
144 Population 554/sq mi density
$104,375 Median Income $45,803 per capita
$151,400 Home Value $270,338 Zillow
43°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$104,375 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$151,400 home value, /mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Mellette 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 23.0 inches. The area receives 43.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.8°F
21% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,299 ft (396 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density554/sq mi
Coordinates45.1544°N, 98.4984°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBrown County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.0"
39% below US avg
Snowfall 43.4"
Wettest Month (Jul) 3.51"
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

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 15, 2017.

Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 146 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 91 km
Aug 15, 2017 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota M3.0 120 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

361 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 51 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 59 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 84 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 95 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 65 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 35 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 57 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 68 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 11 km 1
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 46 km 0
May 20, 1965 EF3 85 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 41 km 1
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 52 km 0
Aug 30, 2020 EF2 63 km 1
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 62 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 59 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 80 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 96 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 84 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF2 93 km 0
Jul 18, 2001 EF2 92 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: ROHRBACH (2,887 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 78 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 46 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 85 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 52 km
2005 N HYDE 1,204 89 km
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 87 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 12°F (-11°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 16°F (-9°C) 0.7 in
March 29°F (-2°C) 0.9 in
April 43°F (6°C) 2.1 in
May 56°F (13°C) 3.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.5 in
July 71°F (22°C) 3.5 in Warmest, Wettest
August 69°F (20°C) 2.5 in
September 60°F (15°C) 2.4 in
October 45°F (7°C) 2.1 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 0.7 in
December 18°F (-8°C) 0.7 in

Mellette has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.6").

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