About one in 3 of Custer’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Rapid City (21%), Hot Springs (5%) and Sioux Falls (3%). Half commute less than 22 miles.

Rapid City

21%

Hot Springs

Sioux Falls

Hermosa

34%Work in townlive and work in Custer 22 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,074Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Custer →

Health in Custer

B⁺

Health Grade B+

Healthier than 71% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with South Dakota

7better than SD·6worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 13 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▼ 6 close Habits 1▲ 3 close Care 5▲ 2 close Mind 1▲ 2 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.8%Fewer uninsured adultsSD 8.8% · better 15.1%Fewer binge drinkersSD 18.8% · better 13.3%More adults who have had cancerSD 9.2% · worse

Care nearby

Monument Health Custer HospitalCuster · 3.7 mi · ER · rural critical access

Cornerstone Rescue Mission - Men's ShelterRapid City · 28.8 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Custer · CMS · HRSAHealth in Custer →

Natural hazards in Custer

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 72% of U.S. communities.

🔥 Wildfire🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes

7Does Custer flood?paid flood claims since 1999 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Custer

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Custer →

Climate in Custer

Full climate →

Custer has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 13°, and about 58 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

36° / 13°Winter

52° / 29°Spring

77° / 50°Summer

56° / 31°Fall

How much snow does Custer get?About 58 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 28, with the last in spring around May 18.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.3° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Custer →

Schools in Custer

All Custer schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Custer’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 55% of South Dakota’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictCuster School District 16-1Schools4

Custer Elementary - 02 C+Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 269 students Custer Jr. High - 05 BMiddle · Grades 7–8 · 101 students Custer High School - 01 BHigh · Grades 9–12 · 272 students A.C.E. High Academy - 06High · Grades 9–12 · 16 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within SD. Ratings are from neighbors.