Running WaterSD
Home to 73 people, the town was settled in 1880.
Is Running Water a good place to live?
Running Water’s average commute is 15 minutes, below both South Dakota’s towns (17 minutes) and U.S. towns (25 minutes). Among 36 South Dakota towns, just 3 have a higher peak summer temperature than Running Water. Running Water has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
73 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Running Water.
Four seasons and pleasant summers in Running Water
The January low here in the town is 11°F.
Typical low → high °F
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
The biggest natural risk in Running Water is drought, at a low overall level
FEMA puts 27% of Running Water’s expected hazard losses down to drought, and 21% to cold waves. The risk rating from FEMA here is 38 of 100. Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 62% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
A larger share of adults smoke cigarettes in Running Water than in most of South Dakota or the rest of the country
Among 36 South Dakota towns, just 3 have a higher share of adults who say their health is fair or poor than Running Water. In Running Water, just over a fifth of adults binge drink. Also worth knowing: of 26 CDC measures, Running Water beats the South Dakota average on 1 and trails it on 8.
| Running Water | Typical South Dakota town | Typical U.S. town | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 14% | 14% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 19% | 16% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 71% | 76% | 79% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 22% | 23% |
| What stands out | Running Water | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 7.4% | 9.2% |
| More uninsured adults | 13.1% | 8.8% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Everything we know about Running Water
Moving to Running Water: who provides what
Running Water is unincorporated, so Bon Homme County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Running Water; the nearest are
About 0 of every 100 Running Water residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
About Running Water
Census-designated place in South Dakota, United States
Running Water is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bon Homme County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 47 at the 2020 census. The community's name Running Water is a former variant name of the nearby Niobrara River.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 2.1 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,250 ft
- Area code
- 605
Questions about Running Water
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Running Water, SD a good place to live?
Running Water has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
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