Vilas, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Miner County County

3.0 /5.0

B Good

16 Population 5/sq mi density

47°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr

142 Violent Crime/100K 1,332 property/100K

Overall

3.0 / 5.0

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

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

142 violent crimes/100K

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. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 26.4 inches. The area receives 35.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.6°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,473 ft (449 m)
Area	2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density	5/sq mi
Coordinates	44.0084°N, 97.5956°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Miner County County
Nearest Airport	Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.4"

31% below US avg

Snowfall 35.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.74"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	3.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	97.9 / 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
February	20°F (-6°C)	0.6 in
March	32°F (0°C)	1.6 in
April	46°F (8°C)	2.5 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.1 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	3.1 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	2.7 in
September	61°F (16°C)	2.2 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.9 in
November	31°F (-0°C)	1.1 in
December	18°F (-8°C)	0.5 in	Driest

Vilas has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and December the driest (0.5").

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