A Straightforward Guide on Where to Live in South Dakota

From the Black Hills, sacred to the Sioux, in the southwest to Mount Rushmore, and the fertile agricultural soils in East River, this state bisected by the Missouri River and most famous for the Great Plains is the second least populous in the USA. 

This beautiful Upper Midwest state with its thriving job market is an excellent place to settle. If you’re a mechanic, machinist, or technician, a healthcare professional or in accounting and finance, your chances of a good life here are pretty high.

With low personal property tax and huge tax incentives for business owners, the only question then becomes, where to live in South Dakota?

Brookings

Touted by many as the best place to live in South Dakota, even ahead of the state capital, Pierre, Brooking is proud of its high-quality public schools too. It is ranked second as the best place in the state to raise a family as a result.

Brookings has a safe, clean, small-town feel to it, a lively student population and a dynamic nightlife. Home values and rentals are well below the national average, with the median monthly rental being $664, Around $160,000 will enable you to buy an average home.

Sioux Falls

Look here for all the information you need about Sioux Falls and how to move there. The place is really as interesting as its name suggests!

Sioux Falls is a dense suburban location with a population of just over 177,000. It’s a place where young professionals with families enjoy the many restaurants, coffee shops, bars and parks. The average home costs about $168,000 and most residents are homeowners.

It has an excellent education system and prides itself on its superior amenities and services. Local businesses cover a diverse range, and there are countless opportunities for seasonal outdoor recreation. No wonder it is one of the fastest-growing cities in America.

Rapid City

Rapid City has a relatively small population at slightly over 71,000l. It is east of the Black Hills National Fores, the gateway to Mount Rushmore.

If what you’re looking for are incredibly beautiful views and outdoor activities, then Rapid City is where you want to live. The city is home to a healthy mix of white- and blue-collar employment opportunities, especially in tourism, health and transportation.

The tourism industry is thriving and adds vibrancy to the community that is less agricultural than most in South Dakota. Property prices are slightly higher, at around $193,000 on average, but the magnificent natural surroundings make it worth every penny. It is still lower than the national average price for a home.

Where to Live In South Dakota If You’re a Farmer

The East River area (i.e. east of the Missouri River) is the most fertile. Top crops are corn, soybean, hay, wheat, alfalfa, sunflowers, oats and millet. In addition, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture runs a proactive Resource Conservation and Forestry (RCF) program. Populations in rural towns are getting smaller, but agricultural opportunities abound and new entrants are welcome.

Remember, that South Dakota is known for agricultural production, so any upstream or downstream industry closely linked to farming is a good bet too.

Much More

Where to live in South Dakota? There are at least ten other South Dakota cities that are equally appealing as the three we have focused on. It is worth exploring your options thoroughly before you embark on what will probably be one of the best decisions of your life.

South Dakota has enormous opportunities for development. Getting in touch with state officials could throw the spotlight on something that really interests you. While you’re mulling over your decisions, feel free to read other lifestyle articles on our site.