1907 · Chamberlain, S.D · Wikimedia Commons
Chamberlain’s story
145 years in pictures
6 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives, and 1 places on the National Register.
- 1881Chamberlain is settled
- 1907Chamberlain, S.D
ChamberlainSD
A town of 307, settled in 1881. Nearly 11% of it is conserved land.
Population
307
residents
Typical home
$263K
+15.9% in a year
Median age
29.5
years
Jobs based here
54
A commuter town
What makes Chamberlain stand out
The 3 things Chamberlain does most differently from other towns.
Outdoors
#1 most conserved land in SD
3.3 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
11% of the town is conserved land.
100 U.S. towns● Chamberlain
Health
56% of U.S. towns are healthier
on CDC estimates
Better than SD on 0 measures, worse on 8.
$263Ktypical home
Housing
$263K typical home
18% below the SD typical home
Up 15.9% in a year.
Get outside
3 miles of trails in Chamberlain
11% of the town is conserved land, across 3 parks and preserves.
3
Interstate South Lake Access1 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Chamberlain’s report card
Now in Chamberlain
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Chamberlain is #1 of 33 in SD for “Most conserved land”. Fair?
Your answer becomes a post in Chamberlain’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
Weather
Forecast →63°
Fog/Mist
H 75° · L 61°
Local news
All →- Annual pool tribute in Chamberlain honors Randa Haak, who died in a car crash five years agoMitchell Daily Republic · Aug 6
- The Smoking Mule named one of the best bars in the US. Look insideArgus Leader · Jul 28
- Amateur baseball playoff roundup for July 26: Nationals return to District 3B title gameMitchell Daily Republic · Jul 26
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Chamberlain. Another town gets a different order.
Outdoors
11% of Chamberlain is conserved land
3.3 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves.
11%conserved
11%
conserved · 1,503 of 13,712 acres
3.3 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
#1
most conserved land in SD
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Roam Free Park | 0.1 mi | 43 |
| 2. Chamberlain Rest Area | — | 15 |
| 3. Interstate South Lake Access | — | 1 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Health
Healthier than 44% of U.S. towns
Chamberlain beats the South Dakota average on 0 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 8.
C+Health Grade
26 measures vs. South Dakota
0 better18 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | Chamberlain | SD |
|---|---|---|
| More adults with COPD | 8.3% | 6.7% |
| More adults who have had a stroke | 4.3% | 3.5% |
| More adults with heart disease | 8.2% | 6.8% |
Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center
1.7 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
17th
percentile among SD towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Housing
A typical Chamberlain home is worth about $263K
The typical Chamberlain home is worth about $263,000, up 15.9% in a year, 18% below the South Dakota typical home.
$263KZillow home value
Typical home value
Chamberlain$263K
South Dakota$322K
+15.9%
value change, 1 year
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Chamberlain
Most working residents leave Chamberlain for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Chamberlain (46%), Sioux Falls (10%) and Oacoma (5%). Half commute less than 5 miles.
0%work in town
Where working residents work
In Chamberlain0%
Chamberlain46%
Sioux Falls10%
Oacoma5%
Presho3%
5 mi
median commute distance
54
jobs based in Chamberlain
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Schools
Chamberlain’s public schools outperform 30% of South Dakota districts
The public schools Chamberlain’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 70% of South Dakota’s districts on state tests and graduation.
CSchool Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph Indian School Private | 1–8 | 134 |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within SD on state tests and graduationAll 1 schools →
Climate
Snowy winters, hot summers
Chamberlain has cold, snowy winters and warm summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 10°, and about 43 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
43″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter12–33°
Spring35–59°
Summer60–85°
Fall37–62°
Oct 7
typical first frost
May 3
typical last frost
+1.3°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Natural hazards
Moderate risk, with cold waves at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 54% of U.S. communities.
54risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Cold wavesInland flooding
1
paid flood claims since 1997
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Small town
307 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
ChamberlainOacomaOacomaPukwanaBruleWest PointChamberlain
Famous people from Chamberlain
7 notable people were born in Chamberlain.
E
Eddie SpearsAmerican actor · born 1982
E
Elizabeth ColborneAmerican printmaker, illustrator · 1885–1948B
Barry FrenchAmerican football player · 1922–1990J
James Harvey BrownUnited States Navy officer · born 1912About Chamberlain
City in South Dakota, United States
Chamberlain is a city in Brule County, South Dakota, United States. It is located on the east bank of the Missouri River, at the dammed section of the Lake Francis Case, close to where it is crossed by Interstate 90. The population of Chamberlain was 2,473 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Brule County. Chamberlain is home to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, and the 50-foot tall Dignity statue is nearby.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1881
- Population
- 2,473
- Area
- 7.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,404 ft
- ZIP code
- 57325, 57326
- Area code
- 605
More about Chamberlain
Still missing for Chamberlain:a photo of Chamberlainupcoming events