Alcester, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Lincoln County County

3.4 /5.0

B Good

987 Population 1,352/sq mi density

$58,661 Median Income $27,378 per capita

$114,400 Home Value $292,181 Zillow

$690 Median Rent 20.5% income on rent

46°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr

Overall

3.4 / 5.0

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

B+

Economy

3.8 / 5.0

$58,661 median income, 0.5% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$114,400 home value, $690/mo rent

C+

Safety

2.5 / 5.0

0 violent crimes/100K

Education

2.3 / 5.0

15.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Alcester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 26.9 inches. The area receives 30.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.4°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,418 ft (432 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density	1,352/sq mi
Coordinates	43.0276°N, 96.6268°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Joe Foss Field (FSD) 39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.9"

29% below US avg

Snowfall 30.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.98"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	63.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	97.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	94 km
Aug 9, 1997	9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska	M3.4	145 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	101 km
Jun 30, 2021	4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa	M2.7	126 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	100 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

666 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 9 fatalities, 150 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF5	99 km	1
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	88 km	0
Jun 25, 2010	EF4	71 km	0
Jun 23, 2003	EF4	82 km	1
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	81 km	0
Jul 28, 1986	EF4	48 km	0
Jul 7, 1977	EF4	98 km	0
Jun 7, 1965	EF4	52 km	1
Jun 23, 1952	EF4	70 km	0
Jun 17, 2014	EF3	75 km	0
Aug 7, 1994	EF3	80 km	0
Jul 5, 1994	EF3	82 km	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	99 km	0
May 7, 1993	EF3	84 km	0
Aug 3, 1981	EF3	51 km	0
May 8, 1979	EF3	74 km	0
Jul 5, 1978	EF3	21 km	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF3	93 km	0
May 31, 1971	EF3	95 km	0
May 31, 1971	EF3	59 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	22°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
March	34°F (1°C)	1.7 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.5 in
May	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in
June	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	3.2 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	3.2 in
September	62°F (17°C)	2.8 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.9 in
November	33°F (0°C)	1.2 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	0.7 in

Alcester has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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