North Spearfish, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Lawrence County County

4.0 /5.0
A Great
2,201 Population 514/sq mi density
$69,792 Median Income $37,376 per capita
$321,800 Home Value $448,786 Zillow
$1,074 Median Rent 29.8% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Strong
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$69,792 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$321,800 home value, $1,074/mo rent
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.5% bachelor's degree or higher
North Spearfish experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.4 inches. The area receives 70.5 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Geography

Elevation3,646 ft (1,111 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density514/sq mi
Coordinates44.5107°N, 103.9045°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLawrence County County
Nearest AirportEllsworth Afb (RCA)
47 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.4"
44% below US avg
Snowfall 70.5"
Wettest Month (May) 3.72"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.60"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.5 / 100
Community Resilience54.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

17 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.2. Most recent: M2.6 on Jun 8, 2025.

Sep 25, 2009 15 km E of Alzada, Montana M4.2 62 km
Feb 6, 1996 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota M3.7 61 km
Mar 9, 2025 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota M3.6 105 km
Dec 12, 2013 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota M3.5 90 km
Mar 26, 2021 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.4 135 km
Feb 7, 2007 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota M3.1 118 km
Jun 29, 2024 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming M3.0 83 km
Jan 16, 2012 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M3.0 135 km
Jun 16, 2024 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M2.9 119 km
Mar 18, 1994 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota M2.8 128 km
Jan 5, 2004 28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming M2.8 102 km
Jul 17, 2016 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota M2.8 146 km
Sep 5, 1993 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota M2.7 15 km
Jul 29, 2013 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana M2.6 145 km
Jun 8, 2025 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota M2.6 109 km
Jun 16, 2021 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota M2.6 150 km
Nov 5, 1991 1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota M2.5 22 km
Jan 24, 2004 8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota M2.5 80 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

167 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 42 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 7, 1969 EF4 86 km 0
Jun 29, 1993 EF3 19 km 0
May 11, 1991 EF3 65 km 0
Jun 25, 1975 EF3 47 km 0
Jul 18, 1965 EF3 30 km 0
Jul 12, 1965 EF3 40 km 0
Jul 18, 1963 EF3 64 km 0
Jul 6, 2020 EF2 29 km 0
Jul 6, 2020 EF2 27 km 0
Jun 28, 2018 EF2 97 km 0
Jun 13, 2016 EF2 89 km 0
Jun 19, 2015 EF2 72 km 0
Jun 13, 2014 EF2 58 km 0
Jul 13, 2009 EF2 42 km 0
Jul 12, 1993 EF2 31 km 0
May 11, 1991 EF2 66 km 0
May 10, 1985 EF2 54 km 0
May 31, 1984 EF2 86 km 0
Jun 28, 1972 EF2 15 km 0
May 26, 1972 EF2 82 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: JASPER (82,298 ac, 2000).

Year Name Acres Distance
2000 JASPER 82,298 77 km
2012 OIL CREEK 63,182 66 km
2003 RED POINT 18,057 98 km
1988 GALENA 16,936 90 km
2006 THORN DIVIDE COMPLEX 15,261 72 km
2002 BATTLE CREEK 15,034 79 km
1990 SWEDLUND 14,673 97 km
2015 SHEEP DRAW 13,837 96 km
2001 ELK MOUNTAIN 2 13,758 87 km
2001 ROGERS SHACK 11,794 96 km
2002 GRIZZLY GULCH 11,487 24 km
1994 PETERSON-ELLIOTT 8,321 98 km
2011 WHOOPUP 7,377 87 km
2022 FISH 7,045 40 km
2016 KARA CREEK 6,543 64 km
1988 NEW HAVEN 6,118 81 km
2000 WOOD DRAW 5,792 78 km
1988 SHORT PINES 5,516 98 km
2004 BASIN DRAW 4,655 35 km
2006 CUMMINGS 4,455 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.9 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.2 in
April 44°F (6°C) 2.2 in
May 53°F (12°C) 3.7 in Wettest
June 63°F (17°C) 3.5 in
July 71°F (21°C) 2.4 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 1.9 in
September 61°F (16°C) 1.6 in
October 47°F (8°C) 2.0 in
November 36°F (2°C) 0.7 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 0.7 in

North Spearfish has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 26°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.6").

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