ChesterSD
A town of 145. Nearly 19.3% of it is conserved land.
Population
145
residents
Household income
$182K
median
Median age
45.5
years
What makes Chester stand out
The thing Chester does most differently from other towns.
Small town
145 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
HowardIowaIndependenceMooreArmourGrandviewChester
Chester’s report card
Now in Chester
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Weather
Forecast →57°
Drizzle and Haze
H 0° · L 45°
Local news
All →- Varsity Girls Volleyball Multi-team Event - 09/12/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 12
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Chester. Another town gets a different order.
Outdoors
19.3% of Chester is conserved land
4.6 miles of trails across 0 parks and preserves.
19.3%conserved
19.3%
conserved · 3,459 of 17,946 acres
4.6 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Climate
Four seasons, pleasant summers
Chester has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 10°, and about 34 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
34″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter13–33°
Spring35–59°
Summer60–84°
Fall37–62°
Oct 6
typical first frost
May 3
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Natural hazards
Low risk, with cold waves at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 35% of U.S. communities.
35risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Cold wavesInland floodingTornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Health
How healthy Chester is
Chester beats the South Dakota average on 3 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 10.
26 measures vs. South Dakota
3 better13 too close to call10 worse
| What stands out | Chester | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 15.6% | 18.8% |
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 81.4% | 75.9% |
| More adults with heart disease | 9.6% | 6.8% |
Douglas County Memorial Hospital-Cah
3.8 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →