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About South Dakota Real Estate

Buying South Dakota Real Estate

If considering a move to South Dakota, you should take some time to review the following information on demographics, crime statistics, population, schools, and other important facts about South Dakota real estate.

South Dakota Population

The state of South Dakota has experienced a 2.8 per cent increase in population over the last few years. For those considering buying South Dakota real estate, there is still plenty of room to spread out because South Dakota is one of the least densely populated states in the country. Although South Dakota is mostly a rural and agricultural state, there are some large cities including the capital city of Pierre, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Mitchell, Pierre, Yankton, Huron and Vermillion.

South Dakota Economy

Agriculture is the predominant factor in South Dakota real estate and the products exported include wheat, cattle, hogs, poultry, sheep, soybeans, corn, oats, sunflowers and alfalfa. As an extension of these sectors, South Dakota is one of the top producers of ethanol in the country. There is not much industry in the state but most employment stems from the service industries of healthcare, retail and finance. Ellsworth Air Force Base is also an important employer for the state. Tourism and the film industry produce a portion of South Dakota revenue each year.

South Dakota Tourism and Recreation

South Dakota is home to Mount Rushmore, the most famous icon of American landmarks. South Dakota has a large network of parks under the National Parks System including the Badlands National Park, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Missouri National Recreational River, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. South Dakota is famous for its wide open spaces which makes it a favorite for motorcycle enthusiasts who flock each year to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

As South Dakota’s state slogan says, "Great Faces, Great Places," and if you’re considering buying South Dakota real estate, you’re sure to encounter plenty of each.

Cities in South Dakota

Population Population Change Since 2000
Sioux Falls 140,811 14 %
Rapid City 63,737 7 %
Aberdeen 23,644 -4 %
Watertown 20,148 0 %
Brookings 18,586 0 %
Mitchell 14,461 -1 %
Pierre 14,038 1 %
Yankton 13,304 -2 %
Huron 10,760 -10 %
Vermillion 9,357 -4 %
Spearfish 8,873 3 %
Rapid Valley 8,301 18 %
Sturgis 6,872 7 %
Brandon 6,793 19 %
Madison 6,362 -3 %
Belle Fourche 4,601 1 %
Ellsworth AFB 4,179 0 %
Hot Springs 3,974 -4 %
Dell Rapids 3,516 18 %
Milbank 3,446 -5 %
Canton 3,381 9 %
Mobridge 3,198 -11 %
Box Elder 3,161 11 %
Pine Ridge 3,158 0 %
Lead 2,936 -3 %
Winner 2,935 -6 %
Tea 2,907 67 %
Colonial Pine Hills 2,766 8 %
Redfield 2,648 -9 %
Sisseton 2,574 0 %
Flandreau 2,400 1 %
North Spearfish 2,392 4 %
Blackhawk 2,352 -3 %
North Sioux City 2,322 1 %
Lennox 2,308 13 %
Chamberlain 2,219 -5 %
Hartford 2,184 18 %
North Eagle Butte 2,184 1 %
Fort Pierre 2,054 3 %
Beresford 2,024 1 %
Custer 2,004 8 %
Elk Point 1,844 8 %
Webster 1,774 -9 %
Rosebud 1,631 5 %
Parkston 1,574 -6 %
Wagner 1,544 -8 %
Oglala 1,535 25 %
Fort Thompson 1,434 4 %
Deadwood 1,406 2 %
Salem 1,380 1 %
Volga 1,370 -5 %
Miller 1,347 -12 %
Harrisburg 1,333 39 %
Groton 1,310 -3 %
Garretson 1,300 12 %
Clark 1,255 -2 %
Lemmon 1,255 -10 %
Clear Lake 1,243 -7 %
Freeman 1,232 -6 %
Gettysburg 1,217 -10 %
Platte 1,210 -11 %
Tyndall 1,186 -4 %
Gregory 1,175 -12 %
Britton 1,165 -12 %
De Smet 1,077 -7 %
Martin 1,074 -3 %
Kyle 1,053 9 %
Mission 1,015 12 %
Parker 998 -3 %
Ashland Heights 975 16 %
Eureka 960 -13 %
Baltic 949 17 %
McLaughlin 947 22 %
Howard 947 -12 %
Antelope 946 9 %
Arlington 932 -6 %
Whitewood 912 8 %
Crooks 903 5 %
Hill City 892 14 %
Centerville 874 -4 %
Marion 866 -3 %
Scotland 865 -3 %
Alcester 855 -3 %
Valley Springs 852 8 %
Wall 850 4 %
Ipswich 849 -10 %
Wessington Springs 828 -18 %
Edgemont 822 -5 %
Green Valley 816 6 %
Springfield 808 2 %
Highmore 804 -6 %
Viborg 797 -4 %
Manderson-White Horse Creek 781 25 %
Worthing 755 29 %
Philip 753 -15 %
Parmelee 750 15 %
Armour 749 -4 %
St. Francis 741 10 %
Alexandria 715 27 %
Lake Andes 711 -13 %
Wanblee 705 10 %
Castlewood 701 5 %
Lake Preston 700 -5 %
Kimball 699 -6 %
Estelline 698 3 %
Canistota 697 0 %
Woonsocket 690 -4 %
Faulkton 685 -13 %
Colton 674 2 %
Eagle Butte 673 9 %
New Underwood 668 8 %
Selby 665 -10 %
Menno 664 -9 %
Tripp 648 -9 %
Onida 646 -13 %
Elkton 636 -6 %
Lower Brule 633 6 %
Mount Vernon 622 30 %
Newell 619 -4 %
Corsica 611 -5 %
Kadoka 609 -14 %
Waubay 597 -10 %
White River 596 0 %
Humboldt 584 12 %
Bridgewater 581 -4 %
Burke 576 -15 %
Jefferson 569 -3 %
Wilmot 564 4 %
Big Stone City 563 -7 %
Colman 562 -2 %
Presho 552 -6 %
Emery 538 23 %
Murdo 537 -12 %
Avon 536 -4 %
White 517 -2 %
Bowdle 511 -11 %
Montrose 485 5 %
Plankinton 475 -21 %
Faith 475 -3 %
Aurora 464 -7 %
Wolsey 460 19 %
Allen 458 9 %
Hoven 447 -13 %
Blunt 440 19 %
Hudson 439 9 %
Lake Norden 439 2 %
Dupree 437 1 %
Porcupine 435 7 %
Leola 434 -6 %
Hurley 417 -2 %


Data on community demographics, schools and recent sales provided by Onboard Informatics.
Copyright © 2009 Onboard Informatics Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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