Willow Lake, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Clark County County

3.1 /5.0

B Good

455 Population 1,230/sq mi density

$63,929 Median Income $15,916 per capita

$150,000 Home Value $248,681 Zillow

$810 Median Rent 14.3% income on rent

43°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr

262 Violent Crime/100K 2,215 property/100K

Overall

3.1 / 5.0

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

Economy

4.3 / 5.0

$63,929 median income, 0.0% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$150,000 home value, $810/mo rent

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

262 violent crimes/100K

Education

2.3 / 5.0

16.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Willow Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 24.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.1°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	12°F (-11°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,778 ft (542 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density	1,230/sq mi
Coordinates	44.6279°N, 97.6381°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Clark County County
Nearest Airport	Watertown Regional (ATY) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.4"

36% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.74"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	4.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	61.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very 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	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Jan 16, 2022.

Oct 20, 1995	8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota	M3.7	143 km
Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	114 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	55 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	113 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

452 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 200 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014	EF4	90 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF4	40 km	0
May 30, 1998	EF4	98 km	6
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	88 km	0
May 30, 2022	EF3	67 km	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	93 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	89 km	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	42 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	99 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	88 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	96 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	78 km	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	62 km	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	48 km	0
May 12, 1984	EF3	29 km	0
Jul 18, 1983	EF3	48 km	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	97 km	1
Jun 15, 1970	EF3	76 km	0
Jun 25, 1969	EF3	98 km	0
May 30, 2022	EF2	65 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: PHEASANT OPENER (1,206 ac, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2000	PHEASANT OPENER	1,206	80 km
2009	TAHOHPI WUI RX	1,166	66 km
1992	SPRING LK	1,001	92 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	12°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	19°F (-7°C)	0.6 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.5 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.2 in
May	58°F (14°C)	3.1 in
June	67°F (20°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
July	71°F (22°C)	3.2 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	2.5 in
September	60°F (15°C)	2.1 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.8 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.9 in
December	17°F (-9°C)	0.5 in

Willow Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →