2004 · SDMap-doton-Burke · Wikimedia Commons
Burke’s story
122 years in pictures
1 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives, and 1 places on the National Register.
- 1904Burke is settled
- 2004SDMap-doton-Burke
BurkeSD
A town of 708, settled in 1904. A regional job hub with 390 jobs.
Population
708
−4.8% since 2010
Median home value
$150K
Census ACS
Household income
$53K
median
Median age
43.7
years
Jobs based here
390
A job hub
What makes Burke stand out
The thing Burke does most differently from other towns.
Small town
708 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Burke’s report card
Now in Burke
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Live in Burke? Is a B for its schools right?
Your answer becomes a post in Burke’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
Weather
Forecast →70°
Clear and Windy
H 65° · L 52°
Local news
All →- Varsity Girls Volleyball Multi-team Event - 09/12/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 12
- South Dakotan claims bull riding title at Burke Stampede rodeoMitchell Daily Republic · Jul 20
- From a homemade arena to a $5.5 million vision, Burke Stampede looks toward the futureMitchell Daily Republic · Jul 17
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Burke. Another town gets a different order.
Work & commute
About one in four working residents works right in Burke
About one in 4 of Burke’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Gregory (10%), Sioux Falls (7%) and Bonesteel (5%). Half commute less than 17 miles.
26%work in town
Where working residents work
In Burke26%
Gregory10%
Sioux Falls7%
Bonesteel5%
Brookings2%
17 mi
median commute distance
390
jobs based in Burke
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Burke has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 45 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
45″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter14–34°
Spring34–58°
Summer59–83°
Fall37–61°
Oct 3
typical first frost
May 6
typical last frost
+1.1°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Schools
Burke’s public schools outperform 60% of South Dakota districts
The public schools Burke’s kids attend outperform 60% of South Dakota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.
BSchool Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke Elementary - 02 | PK–5 | 105 | B+ |
| Burke Middle School - 04 | 6–8 | 62 | C+ |
| Burke High School - 01 | 9–12 | 94 | B− |
| Whole Grade Sharing with Burke - 04 | 6–12 | — | Not graded |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within SD on state testsAll 4 schools →
Safety
Crime reported in Burke
1 crime was reported in Burke in 2025: 1 property and 0 violent. In a town this small, a few incidents move the numbers a lot, so rates aren't shown.
Burke is small, so we show counts rather than rates.
0
violent crimes reported in 2025
1
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Health
How healthy Burke is
Burke beats the South Dakota average on 4 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 10.
26 measures vs. South Dakota
4 better12 too close to call10 worse
| What stands out | Burke | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 14.8% | 18.8% |
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 82.4% | 75.9% |
| More adults who have had a stroke | 5.2% | 3.5% |
Community Memorial Hospital
0.1 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Natural hazards
Moderate risk, with cold waves at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 43% of U.S. communities.
43risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Cold wavesInland floodingTornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
A job hub
Every workday, about 322 people come to Burke for work
Where Burke’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
390jobs based in Burke
26%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Famous people from Burke
5 notable people were born in Burke.
About Burke
City in South Dakota, United States
Burke is a city in and county seat of Gregory County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 575 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1904
- Population
- 575
- Area
- 0.6 sq mi
- Elevation
- 2,195 ft
- ZIP code
- 57523
- Area code
- 605
More about Burke
Still missing for Burke:a photo of Burkeupcoming events