Tea, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Lincoln County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
6,339 Population 1,673/sq mi density
$104,643 Median Income $39,177 per capita
$305,300 Home Value $388,858 Zillow
$1,113 Median Rent 24.9% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
137 Violent Crime/100K 1,142 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$104,643 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$305,300 home value, $1,113/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
137 violent crimes/100K
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Tea experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.8 inches. The area receives 45.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation1,489 ft (454 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density1,673/sq mi
Coordinates43.4556°N, 96.8240°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLincoln County County
Nearest AirportJoe Foss Field (FSD)
10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.8"
27% below US avg
Snowfall 45.3"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.23"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.60"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score63.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience97.6 / 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.

Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 138 km
Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 120 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 96 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 131 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 109 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

648 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 11 fatalities, 271 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992 EF5 75 km 1
Jun 25, 2010 EF4 71 km 0
May 30, 1998 EF4 76 km 6
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 60 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 30 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF4 92 km 0
Jul 28, 1986 EF4 87 km 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 46 km 1
Aug 7, 1994 EF3 79 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 49 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 53 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 62 km 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 42 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 90 km 0
Apr 20, 1985 EF3 76 km 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 33 km 0
Jul 5, 1978 EF3 42 km 0
May 31, 1971 EF3 75 km 0
Jun 15, 1970 EF3 78 km 0
Sep 22, 1968 EF3 78 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 22°F (-5°C) 0.8 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.6 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.0 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in
June 70°F (21°C) 4.2 in Wettest
July 74°F (24°C) 3.3 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.3 in
September 64°F (18°C) 2.7 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 35°F (2°C) 1.2 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 0.8 in

Tea has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 18°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (0.6").

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