Living in South Dakota

#15 in population growth

Should you move to South Dakota?

South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore State, is a place of expansive prairies, rugged Badlands, and a rich Native American heritage. Known for its outdoor adventure opportunities, friendly communities, and a booming agricultural industry, South Dakota offers a calm, nature-focused lifestyle.

South Dakota’s economy is predominantly driven by agriculture, but sectors like healthcare and financial services are growing rapidly. Its largest city, Sioux Falls, is a hub of commerce and healthcare, while Rapid City serves as the gateway to Black Hills outdoor adventures.

Living in South Dakota provides a variety of experiences. From exploring the iconic Mount Rushmore and the stunning Badlands National Park to immersing in the vibrant cultural scene of its cities, South Dakota presents a unique blend of rural charm and urban convenience. Education is highly valued, with good public schools and notable universities like the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University.

If you’re looking for a state that offers a relaxed lifestyle, a connection with nature, and a stable economy, South Dakota could be your perfect destination. Just be prepared for frigid winters and the occasional glimpse of bison crossing the road!

#46 in population

Population

909,824

National Avg 6,652,315

#5 in population

Population Per Square Mile

12

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does South Dakota Score?

B
Home Affordability
B
Cost of Living
D
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in South Dakota

Climate

How Does South Dakota Compare?

#25
in Sunny Days
#41
in Annual Rainfall
#26
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#29

How Does South Dakota Compare?

#29
in Healthcare
#41
in Available Beds
#45
in Doctors Per Resident

1

Children's Hospitals

0

VA Medical Centers

9

VA Clinics

South Dakota Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#21

How Does South Dakota Compare?

#21
in Cost of Living
#25
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#1
in Living Wage

South Dakota State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to South Dakota? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in South Dakota

#5

South Dakota School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #4 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

72%

Proficient or Above

32%

Ranked #9 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

73%

Proficient or Above

31%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
92.5%
Bachelors Degree
30%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know South Dakota

State Capital

Pierre

Area Codes

605

Time Zone

Central Time Zone, Mountain Time Zone

Number of Counties

66

Land Area (square miles)

75,810

Motto

Under God the people rule

State Bird

Ring-necked pheasant

Housing

#20
#20 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$239,500

National $440,300

#3 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$809

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$521

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

345,779

Persons Per Household

2.46

Rent vs Own

Own 68.4%
Rent 31.6%

Economy

#31 in household income

Median Household Income

63,920

National $70,784

#6 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
67.5%
Poverty Rate
12.3%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$8,714,410

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$2,315,474

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$1,686,473

Per Capita Retail Sales

16,794

Counties

Diversity

#40
White alone
84.2%
Black or African American alone
2.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
8.5%
Asian alone
1.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.1%
Two or More Races
2.8%
Hispanic or Latino
4.9%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
80.7%

Foreign Born Persons

3.8%

Veterans

54350

Persons Under 5 years
6.4%
Persons Under 18 years
24.1%
Persons 65 years and over
18%

Is Diversity essential?

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