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Bates

A township of 37 people in Brown County, South Dakota

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Town hallWanted · be the first Main streetWanted · be the first The libraryWanted · be the first Add a photoStart the Bates album

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Now in Bates

What’s happening this week

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Around town

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Around town

The places and views that make it Bates

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The Bates album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Bates together

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Outdoors in Bates

Parks & trails →

Conserved land2.7%618 of 22,743 acres

Trails17 mi0.5 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves0named on the map

Know a trail or park that’s missing? Anyone can add it to OpenStreetMap, and it shows up here on the next refresh.

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Bates

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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Town numbers

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Living in Bates

Health in Bates

Compared with South Dakota

2better than SD·6worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 18 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▼ 6 close Habits all close Care 2▲ 5 close Mind all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

80.4%More adults treating high blood pressureSD 75.9% · better 87.2%More adults getting cholesterol checkedSD 84.8% · better 11.5%More adults who have had cancerSD 9.2% · worse

Care nearby

Sanford Medical Center AberdeenAberdeen · 23.7 mi · ER

Horizon Health - AberdeenAberdeen · 24.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 57434, 57445, 57422 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Bates →

Natural hazards in Bates

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 38% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Bates flood?no paid flood claims on record 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Bates MapBates vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Bates →

Climate in Bates

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Bates has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 3°, and about 32 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

25° / 6°Winter

54° / 32°Spring

81° / 58°Summer

57° / 35°Fall

How much snow does Bates get?About 32 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 29, with the last in spring around May 6.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.2° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Bates →

Libraries near Bates

Nearest: Wage Memorial LibraryGroton · 12 miles · 43 hrs a week

Famous people from BatesWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Bates.Meet them →

Where Bates is

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Imported town boundary

South Dakota · SD · Brown CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

How things work in Bates

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care