Vilas, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Miner County County

5.0 /5.0
A+ Excellent
16 Population 5/sq mi density
47°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
5.0 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Vilas experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.4 inches. The area receives 35.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,473 ft (449 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density5/sq mi
Coordinates44.0084°N, 97.5956°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMiner County County
Nearest AirportMitchell Municipal (MHE)
27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.4"
31% below US avg
Snowfall 35.8"
Wettest Month (May) 3.88"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.63"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score3.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience97.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very 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 Moderate
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: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Jun 4, 2021 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.7 144 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 74 km
Jun 4, 2021 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.1 145 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 63 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 110 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 127 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 70 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 137 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

522 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 243 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014 EF4 65 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF4 33 km 0
May 30, 1998 EF4 30 km 6
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 63 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 29 km 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 98 km 1
May 5, 2007 EF3 76 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 53 km 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 59 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 50 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 52 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 34 km 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 51 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 51 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 10 km 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 98 km 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 89 km 0
Jun 15, 1970 EF3 54 km 0
Jun 20, 1968 EF3 48 km 0
May 24, 1965 EF3 57 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: TAHOHPI WUI RX (1,166 ac, 2009).

Year Name Acres Distance
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 76 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 22°F (-6°C) 0.7 in
March 34°F (1°C) 1.4 in
April 46°F (8°C) 2.7 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in Wettest
June 69°F (21°C) 3.7 in
July 74°F (23°C) 3.5 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 2.9 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.0 in
October 49°F (9°C) 2.4 in
November 34°F (1°C) 1.0 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 0.7 in

Vilas has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.6").

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