Rockham, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Spink County County

2.3 /5.0

C Fair

27 Population 54/sq mi density

44°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr

Overall

2.3 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

C+

Safety

2.5 / 5.0

0 violent crimes/100K

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. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 22.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.0°F
	19% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-11°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,399 ft (426 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	54/sq mi
Coordinates	44.9043°N, 98.8234°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Spink County County
Nearest Airport	Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.8"

40% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.15"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	17.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	61.7 / 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)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	19°F (-7°C)	0.6 in
March	31°F (-1°C)	1.4 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.2 in
May	58°F (14°C)	3.0 in
June	67°F (20°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.7 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	2.4 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.8 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.5 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
December	17°F (-8°C)	0.4 in	Driest

Rockham has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and December the driest (0.4").

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