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South Dakota›Walworth County
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JavaSD

A town of 119, settled in 1901.

Population
119
2025 Census estimate · −2.5% since 2020
Median home value
$54K
Census ACS
Household income
$39K
median
Median age
54.8
years
Land area
1 sq mi

Is Java a good place to live?

Java Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places. Java has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Small town

119 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Nearby towns
Selby · 7 miBowdle · 12 miBowdle Township · 12 miModena Township · 12 miLowry · 14 miOdessa Township · 16 mi
Getting set up

Moving to Java: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Java, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →
PowerMontana-Dakota Utilities13.0¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterJava water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet3 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Java’s trash rules yet
SchoolsSelby School District 62-5Which school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteIn personSouth Dakota has no online registration; you can register in person until 15 days before Election Day or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereWalworth County AuditorWalworth County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2025
ZIP code5745257452 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Java.

Natural hazards

Compared with most of South Dakota and the rest of the country, the FEMA risk score in Java is higher

Of the losses FEMA expects in Java, 46% come from inland flooding and 36% from cold waves. Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 89% of U.S. communities.

89risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
89Very high riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingCold wavesWildfire
Full pageJava’s hazards pageOpen the page
What it facesVery high riskFlood claims0 paid flood claims · No paid flood claims on recordPast disasters10 disaster declarations · Declared for the countyGet ready0.6 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

Four seasons and pleasant summers: that is Java’s year

Java’s peak summer temperature is 83°F.

33″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter8–26°
Spring31–54°
Summer56–81°
Fall34–57°
Oct 1
typical first frost
May 8
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
Full pageJava’s climate pageOpen the page
A year of weatherJuly highs 83°, January lows 4°Rain & snow33″ of snow a winter · 20 inches of rain and snow a yearHeating & coolingMostly a heating billThen and now+0.8° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Health

Fewer of Java’s adults binge drink than in the typical South Dakota or U.S. town

Among adults in Java, 81% had a checkup this year, above both the South Dakota town median (76%) and the median of U.S. towns (79%). For adults in the town, the share who sleep under 7 hours is 28%. Also worth knowing: only 3 of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare have a higher share of adults who say their health is fair or poor than Java. Just over two in five adults here have high blood pressure; 15% have diabetes.

JavaSouth Dakota townsU.S. towns
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)14%19%16%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)42%31%35%
Diabetes (CDC PLACES)15%10%12%
Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES)28%30%36%
26 measures vs. South Dakota
4 better13 too close to call9 worse
What stands outJavaSD
Fewer binge drinkers14.1%18.8%
More adults treating high blood pressure82.9%75.9%
More adults with heart disease10%6.8%
Bowdle Hospital - Cah
11.5 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
Full pageJava’s health reportOpen the page
Everyday habitsFewer binge drinkersHospitals & doctors nearby11.5 miles to an ER · Bowdle Hospital - CahHow adults are doingMore adults in frequent physical distressEvery CDC estimateBetter than SD on 4 of 26

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Java

15pages on Java
The big questions
HealthBetter than SD on 4 of 26 CDC measuresCost of livingWork & commute$39K median household incomeNatural hazardsFEMA risk higher than 89% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
PlacesLibraryBowdle Public LibraryColleges
The story
HistorySettled 1901 · 1 on the National RegisterTown Hall & politicsClimate83° summer highs · 33″ of snow
Day to day
NewsWeatherHandbookZIP code 57452Town SquareNeighbors
After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Java; the nearest are

Sitting Bull CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Fort Yates, ND55.4 mi$4,010 in-state tuition

About 1 of every 100 Java residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

About Java

Town in South Dakota, United States

Java is a town in Walworth County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 121 at the 2020 census. Java derives its name from Java coffee, and Coffee Town was an early variant name. Java received its name from railroad crews on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Line who would stop for coffee in the town prior to the railroad's relocation in 1908.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Area
0.5 sq mi
Elevation
2,096 ft
ZIP code
57452
Area code
605

Questions about Java

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Java, SD a good place to live?

Java has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.