Dorchester, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Saline County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
622 Population 1,244/sq mi density
$59,583 Median Income $31,858 per capita
$140,100 Home Value $203,787 Zillow
$598 Median Rent 18.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$59,583 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$140,100 home value, $598/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Dorchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.0 inches. The area receives 23.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,486 ft (453 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,244/sq mi
Coordinates40.6480°N, 97.1154°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountySaline County County
Nearest AirportLincoln (LNK)
24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.0"
24% below US avg
Snowfall 23.9"
Wettest Month (May) 4.90"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.70"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score42.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability47.7 / 100
Community Resilience40.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

71 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M2.6 on Mar 26, 2025.

Jul 17, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.8 115 km
Jun 12, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.7 135 km
Jun 12, 2017 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas M3.7 132 km
May 6, 2021 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas M3.6 127 km
Dec 17, 2009 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska M3.6 109 km
Jun 13, 2017 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.6 134 km
Aug 9, 2021 Kansas M3.5 149 km
Jul 16, 2004 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa M3.5 132 km
May 21, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 132 km
Sep 18, 2023 Nebraska M3.4 115 km
Aug 9, 1997 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska M3.4 128 km
Jul 26, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.4 116 km
Apr 4, 2017 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 134 km
Jul 29, 2021 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas M3.3 148 km
Apr 7, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.3 132 km
Jan 9, 2013 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas M3.3 123 km
Apr 7, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.2 135 km
Jun 12, 2017 6 km N of Jewell, Kansas M3.2 134 km
May 6, 2021 2 km S of Formoso, Kansas M3.1 124 km
Feb 8, 2020 3 km W of Burr Oak, Kansas M3.0 136 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

734 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 261 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 26, 2024 EF4 90 km 0
May 22, 2004 EF4 41 km 1
Jun 13, 2001 EF4 23 km 0
Apr 7, 1978 EF4 65 km 0
Apr 25, 1957 EF4 39 km 1
Aug 13, 1952 EF4 78 km 0
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 48 km 0
May 6, 2015 EF3 95 km 0
May 11, 2014 EF3 87 km 0
May 11, 2014 EF3 29 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 69 km 0
Oct 9, 2001 EF3 79 km 0
Sep 22, 2001 EF3 76 km 0
Jul 24, 1993 EF3 39 km 0
Jun 15, 1992 EF3 20 km 0
Jun 15, 1992 EF3 26 km 0
Apr 26, 1991 EF3 79 km 0
Apr 26, 1991 EF3 61 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 82 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 59 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: ROCK CREEK (1,433 ac, 2023).

Year Name Acres Distance
2023 ROCK CREEK 1,433 62 km
1991 UNNAMED 1,296 80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 0.7 in Coldest, Driest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.9 in
March 38°F (4°C) 1.6 in
April 49°F (10°C) 2.4 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.9 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 4.2 in
July 74°F (23°C) 3.5 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.4 in
September 65°F (18°C) 2.8 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.3 in
November 38°F (3°C) 1.3 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 1.1 in

Dorchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 23°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.7").

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