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.
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.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Running Water.
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
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.