Orient, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Hand County County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
54 Population 186/sq mi density
$41,389 Median Income $25,211 per capita
$38,800 Home Value $172,569 Zillow
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$41,389 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$38,800 home value, /mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
4.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Orient has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.4 inches. The area receives 43.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.0°F
19% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,605 ft (489 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density186/sq mi
Coordinates44.9017°N, 99.0887°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyHand County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.4"
41% below US avg
Snowfall 43.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.54"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score6.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability14.8 / 100
Community Resilience58.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively 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 Low
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: M3.7 on May 30, 2024.

May 30, 2024 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota M3.7 117 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 133 km
Aug 9, 2011 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota M3.3 120 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 69 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 145 km
Jul 3, 1995 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota M2.8 105 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 138 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

343 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 60 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 22, 2010 EF4 80 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 97 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 58 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 99 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 79 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 46 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 99 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 60 km 1
Jul 9, 1971 EF3 100 km 0
Jul 3, 1971 EF3 71 km 0
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 100 km 0
Jun 20, 1968 EF3 99 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 92 km 1
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 15 km 0
Aug 30, 2020 EF2 23 km 1
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 88 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 98 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 96 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 71 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 97 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 HOLIDAY 2,936 87 km
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 57 km
2000 GANN VALLEY 2,534 80 km
2005 CHAOS 1,539 92 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 95 km
2005 N HYDE 1,204 35 km
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 14°F (-10°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 18°F (-8°C) 0.7 in
March 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
April 44°F (6°C) 2.1 in
May 56°F (13°C) 3.5 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.5 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 3.3 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 2.7 in
September 61°F (16°C) 2.0 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.9 in
November 32°F (-0°C) 0.6 in
December 19°F (-7°C) 0.6 in

Orient has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.5").

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