Jefferson, SD

Located in the southeastern tip of South Dakota, Jefferson offers a quiet, relaxed pace of life with Sioux City just a 15-minute drive away. With around 500 residents, it has the feel of a close-knit country town while still sitting conveniently within the Sioux City metro area. The community got its start in 1859 with a group of French-Canadian homesteaders, and its position near the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers gives it plenty of open space and rural charm.

Neighbors stay connected through hometown traditions, headlined by the annual Jefferson Days celebration every summer. Known locally as the Days of '59, the weekend brings everyone out for a parade, car show, community sports, and fireworks in the park. For anyone considering a move, Jefferson offers low-key living, South Dakota's tax advantages, and an easy commute to regional jobs, shops, and healthcare across the state line.