Salem, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · McCook County County

3.3 /5.0

B Good

1,201 Population 961/sq mi density

$71,655 Median Income $35,763 per capita

$163,500 Home Value $240,379 Zillow

$880 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent

44°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr

80 Violent Crime/100K 319 property/100K

Overall

3.3 / 5.0

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

Economy

4.4 / 5.0

$71,655 median income, 0.5% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$163,500 home value, $880/mo rent

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

80 violent crimes/100K

C+

Education

3.0 / 5.0

24.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Salem 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. The area gets 291 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 27.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.4°F
	18% below US avg
January Average	14°F (-10°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,521 ft (464 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density	961/sq mi
Coordinates	43.7228°N, 97.3893°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	McCook County County
Nearest Airport	Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.0"

29% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.66"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	43.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	83.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

9 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	135 km
Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	87 km
Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	135 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	135 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	97 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	85 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	136 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	81 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	109 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

599 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 260 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014	EF4	89 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF4	69 km	0
May 30, 1998	EF4	24 km	6
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	38 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	20 km	0
Jun 7, 1965	EF4	63 km	1
May 5, 2007	EF3	83 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	88 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	82 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	12 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	46 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	38 km	0
May 7, 1993	EF3	15 km	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	72 km	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	41 km	0
Aug 3, 1981	EF3	53 km	0
Jul 5, 1978	EF3	96 km	0
Jun 15, 1970	EF3	59 km	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	48 km	0
Jun 26, 1965	EF3	91 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	14°F (-10°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.6 in
March	33°F (0°C)	1.6 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.4 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.2 in
June	69°F (20°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	2.8 in
September	62°F (16°C)	2.5 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.8 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	1.1 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	0.6 in

Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").

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