Jefferson, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Dakota County County

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

49°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr

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, /mo rent

C+

Safety

2.5 / 5.0

0 violent crimes/100K

C+

Education

3.0 / 5.0

24.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Jefferson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 291 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 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 Average	48.8°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-6°C)
July Average	74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,115 ft (340 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	1,406/sq mi
Coordinates	42.6043°N, 96.5661°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Dakota County County
Nearest Airport	Sioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX) 17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.0"

26% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.86"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
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	81 km
Aug 9, 1997	9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska	M3.4	103 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	117 km
Feb 5, 2025	8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska	M2.7	123 km
Jun 30, 2021	4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa	M2.7	122 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	104 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

646 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 227 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	86 km	1
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	59 km	0
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	80 km	1
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	48 km	0
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	68 km	0
Jun 23, 2003	EF4	63 km	1
Jul 28, 1986	EF4	34 km	0
Jul 7, 1977	EF4	52 km	0
May 6, 1975	EF4	94 km	0
Jun 7, 1965	EF4	83 km	1
Jun 23, 1952	EF4	61 km	0
Jul 15, 1950	EF4	90 km	0
Jun 17, 2014	EF3	57 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	79 km	0
Jun 11, 2008	EF3	97 km	4
Jul 5, 1994	EF3	38 km	0
May 27, 1991	EF3	81 km	0
Aug 3, 1981	EF3	89 km	0
May 8, 1979	EF3	37 km	0
Jul 5, 1978	EF3	65 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-6°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	25°F (-4°C)	0.7 in
March	36°F (2°C)	2.0 in
April	49°F (10°C)	2.7 in
May	61°F (16°C)	3.7 in
June	71°F (22°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
July	74°F (24°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	3.0 in
September	64°F (18°C)	2.7 in
October	51°F (11°C)	2.0 in
November	35°F (2°C)	1.3 in
December	22°F (-6°C)	0.7 in

Jefferson has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").

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