Rockham, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Spink County County

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
27 Population 54/sq mi density
44°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Rockham has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°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

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.0°F
19% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,399 ft (426 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density54/sq mi
Coordinates44.9043°N, 98.8234°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountySpink County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
42 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 Score17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience61.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
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 M3.7 138 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 127 km
Aug 9, 2011 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota M3.3 139 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 77 km
Aug 15, 2017 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota M3.0 90 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 146 km
Jul 3, 1995 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota M2.8 114 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 131 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

361 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 55 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 22, 2010 EF4 94 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 92 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 53 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 86 km 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 93 km 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 68 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 33 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 86 km 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 46 km 1
Jul 3, 1971 EF3 78 km 0
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 84 km 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 78 km 1
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 28 km 0
Aug 30, 2020 EF2 25 km 1
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 85 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 94 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 95 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 97 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 72 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 83 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 94 km
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 70 km
2000 GANN VALLEY 2,534 80 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 82 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 87 km
2005 N HYDE 1,204 53 km
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 68 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 13°F (-11°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 17°F (-8°C) 0.7 in
March 31°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
April 44°F (7°C) 2.1 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.5 in
June 67°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 31°F (-0°C) 0.6 in
December 19°F (-7°C) 0.6 in

Rockham has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°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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