Jefferson, SD

South Dakota · Metropolitan Area

Jefferson is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 717. Residents earn $81,149 per year, which is 8% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
717 Population 1,406/sq mi density
$81,149 Median Income $32,917 per capita
$177,900 Home Value $381,889 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$81,149 median income, 7.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$177,900 home value
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,149
8% higher than US avg
Home Value $177,900
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.8%
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.5%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 7.3%
103% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.0%
76% lower than US avg

How Jefferson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population717
Median Age34.0 yrs
Density1,406/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$81,149
Per Capita$32,917
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty3.0%
County GDP$2,419M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$177,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$381,889

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property186/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary186/100K

Health

Obesity31.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.5%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain28.0 in/yr
Elevation1,115 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.8%
High School+94.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute24 min
Libraries3

Is Jefferson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Jefferson receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Jefferson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Jefferson is $81,149, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Jefferson is $177,900, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Jefferson is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 186 per 100,000, 91% below the national average.

Education

24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Jefferson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Jefferson has a population of 717 with a density of 1,406 people per square mile. The median age is 34.0 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.2%), with 4.3% Hispanic.

Population

717
Total Population
1,406
People / sq mi
34.0yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.4%
Female 46.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Jefferson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Jefferson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Jefferson is $81,149, which is 8% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Jefferson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,149
8% above US avg
Per Capita Income$32,917
Avg Weekly Wage$1,144
IRS Avg AGI$59,044

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.3%
103% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.0%
76% below US avg
Establishments (County)504
County GDP$2,419M

Business (County)

Restaurants50
Healthcare39
Retail60
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,248
21% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Jefferson is $177,900, 37% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $381,889.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$177,900
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$381,889

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$104
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$691
1 Bedroom$784
2 Bedrooms$990
3 Bedrooms$1,295
4 Bedrooms$1,540

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,248
21% above US avg
Effective Rate2.39%
In Jefferson, 31.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.5% report depression. 20.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Jefferson vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.5%
2% below US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity20.6%
Depression21.5%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Checkup Rate72.6%
Premature Death7,312/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access86.7%
Healthcare Facilities39
Jefferson has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 186 per 100,000 (91% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Jefferson vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property185.5/100K
91% below US avg
Burglary185.5/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Jefferson has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.0 inches
26% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,115 ft (340 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,406/sq mi
Coordinates42.6043°N, 96.5661°W
County FIPS31043
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.3%
D 34.5%

Winner: Republican by 29.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.8%
26% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,406/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities39
Restaurants50
Retail Stores60

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

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