Emerson, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Dakota County County

3.2 /5.0

B Good

912 Population 1,940/sq mi density

$58,125 Median Income $24,642 per capita

$100,700 Home Value $185,794 Zillow

$691 Median Rent 25.2% income on rent

48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr

Overall

3.2 / 5.0

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

Economy

4.0 / 5.0

$58,125 median income, 1.7% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$100,700 home value, $691/mo rent

C+

Safety

2.5 / 5.0

0 violent crimes/100K

Education

1.4 / 5.0

5.4% bachelor's degree or higher

Emerson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 30.7 inches. The area receives 35.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.4°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,494 ft (455 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	1,940/sq mi
Coordinates	42.2782°N, 96.7263°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Dakota County County
Nearest Airport	Sioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.7"

19% below US avg

Snowfall 35.5"

Wettest Month (May) 4.09"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	36.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.2 / 100
Community Resilience	8.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.7 on Feb 5, 2025.

Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	72 km
Aug 9, 1997	9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska	M3.4	66 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	126 km
Feb 5, 2025	8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska	M2.7	95 km
Jun 30, 2021	4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa	M2.7	146 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	105 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

598 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 231 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	43 km	1
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	21 km	0
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	50 km	1
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	66 km	0
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	51 km	0
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	33 km	0
Jun 23, 2003	EF4	55 km	1
Jul 28, 1986	EF4	49 km	0
Jul 7, 1977	EF4	14 km	0
May 6, 1975	EF4	70 km	0
Jun 23, 1952	EF4	89 km	0
Jul 15, 1950	EF4	54 km	0
Jun 17, 2014	EF3	52 km	0
Oct 4, 2013	EF3	97 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	75 km	0
Jun 11, 2008	EF3	73 km	4
May 16, 1999	EF3	99 km	0
Jul 5, 1994	EF3	36 km	0
May 27, 1991	EF3	49 km	0
May 8, 1979	EF3	50 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	25°F (-4°C)	0.8 in
March	36°F (2°C)	2.2 in
April	49°F (9°C)	2.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
June	71°F (21°C)	4.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.8 in
September	63°F (17°C)	2.8 in
October	51°F (11°C)	2.1 in
November	35°F (1°C)	1.5 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.8 in

Emerson has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.6").

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