[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2), all land.

This event, during the 1936 North American heat wave, is even more remarkable because since 1948, the temperature has not exceeded 109 °F (42.8 °C).

According to the averages, Steele has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with warm to hot summers and very cold winters, typical of the Great Plains.

[11] January nights average 2 °F (−16.7 °C), and subzero temperatures happen on multiple occasions every winter.

There were 362 housing units at an average density of 635.1 per square mile (245.2/km2).

35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 367 housing units at an average density of 645.5 per square mile (249.2/km2).

40.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.