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Gem

A township of 217 people in Brown County, South Dakota

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Town hallWanted · be the first Main streetWanted · be the first The libraryWanted · be the first Add a photoStart the Gem album

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Now in Gem

What’s happening this week

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Weather

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Around town

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Around town

The places and views that make it Gem

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The Gem album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Gem together

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Outdoors in Gem

Parks & trails →

Conserved land3.7%1,578 of 42,108 acres

Trails11 mi0.2 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves0named on the map

Know a trail or park that’s missing? Anyone can add it to OpenStreetMap, and it shows up here on the next refresh.

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Gem

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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Town numbers

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Living in Gem

Work & commute in Gem

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Most working residents leave Gem for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Aberdeen (47%), Warner (7%) and Groton (6%). Half commute less than 12 miles.

Aberdeen

47%

Warner

7%

Groton

6%

Sioux Falls

5%

1%Work in townlive and work in Gem 12 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 18Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Gem →

Health in Gem

Compared with South Dakota

1better than SD

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 25 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 11 close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

10.5%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethSD 12.7% · better

Care nearby

Sanford Medical Center AberdeenAberdeen · 8.1 mi · ER

Horizon Health - AberdeenAberdeen · 8.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 57401, 57445, 57474 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Gem →

Natural hazards in Gem

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 38% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

12Does Gem flood?paid flood claims since 1997 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 17 declared for Brown County MapGem vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Gem →

Climate in Gem

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Gem has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 3°, and about 42 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

25° / 6°Winter

55° / 32°Spring

81° / 58°Summer

58° / 34°Fall

How much snow does Gem get?About 42 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 26, with the last in spring around May 9.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.2° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Gem →

Libraries near Gem

Nearest: K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public LibraryAberdeen · 9.3 miles · 61 hrs a week

Famous people from GemWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Gem.Meet them →

Where Gem is

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Imported town boundary

South Dakota · SD · Brown CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

Around town

Bordering towns

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Gem Bath West Hanson Warner

NBath EWest Hanson WWarner

Where Gem residents work nearby:Warner 3%Work & commute →

Compare side by side:Gem vs Bath Gem vs West Hanson Gem vs Warner

How things work in Gem

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care