Goff, J. Whitney, Round Barn · National Register of Historic Places
Clearwater’s story
Clearwater in pictures
1 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the history →ClearwaterSD
A town of 117. Public schools that outperform most of South Dakota.
Population
117
residents
Median home value
$333K
Census ACS
Household income
$110K
median
Median age
56.1
years
Jobs based here
3
A commuter town
What makes Clearwater stand out
The 2 things Clearwater does most differently from other towns.
Small town
117 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
WinfredHowardHendenVermillionClearwater
Clearwater’s report card
Now in Clearwater
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Live in Clearwater? Is an A− for its schools right?
Your answer becomes a post in Clearwater’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Clearwater. Another town gets a different order.
Schools
Clearwater’s public schools outperform 79% of South Dakota districts
The public schools Clearwater’s kids attend outperform 79% of South Dakota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.
A−School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Colony Elementary - 08 | K–8 | 27 | B+ |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within SD on state testsAll 1 schools →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Clearwater
Most working residents leave Clearwater for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Howard (24%), Sioux Falls (18%) and Madison (6%). Half commute less than 19 miles.
0%work in town
Where working residents work
In Clearwater0%
Howard24%
Sioux Falls18%
Madison6%
Brookings6%
19 mi
median commute distance
3
jobs based in Clearwater
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Natural hazards
Low risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 29% of U.S. communities.
29risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingDroughtCold waves
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Outdoors
16.4% of Clearwater is conserved land
1.1 miles of trails across 0 parks and preserves.
16.4%conserved
16.4%
conserved · 3,764 of 22,892 acres
1.1 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Climate
Four seasons, pleasant summers
Clearwater has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 6°, and about 36 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
36″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter9–28°
Spring34–56°
Summer59–81°
Fall36–58°
Oct 3
typical first frost
May 6
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Health
How healthy Clearwater is
Clearwater beats the South Dakota average on 2 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 6.
26 measures vs. South Dakota
2 better18 too close to call6 worse
| What stands out | Clearwater | SD |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 79.6% | 75.9% |
| More adults getting cholesterol checked | 87% | 84.8% |
| More adults with heart disease | 8.3% | 6.8% |
Madison Regional Health System
15.6 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
A commuter town
100% of working residents leave Clearwater for work
Where Clearwater’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
3jobs based in Clearwater
0%of working residents work in town
19 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023