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South Dakota rankings · People

Most educated towns in South Dakota

Ranked by the share of adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. 37 towns with 2,500+ residents.

Other SD lists

Cost of livingMost affordable Cheapest rent Lowest property tax

SchoolsBest schools Highest graduation rate

IncomeHighest income

PeopleMost educated Youngest Oldest Most residents 65+Most kids

Getting aroundShortest commute

GrowthFastest growing

HousingVacation-home towns Most new homes Fastest-rising home prices Housing hasn't kept up

WorkMost remote workers

SafetySafest

OutdoorsMost conserved land Most trails Most walkable

HealthHealthiest Lowest obesity Fewest smokers Most active Fewest uninsured Lowest depression Closest to a top hospital

LibrariesMost-used libraries Most library borrowing Best libraries for kids

ClimateSnowiest Least snow Mildest winters Hottest summers Coolest summers Longest growing season Wettest

JavaNot on this list

Java has fewer than 2,500 residents, the floor for SD lists.

Dakota Dunes59.8% · Median income $136,125

Union CountyBig Sioux56.3% · Median income $128,005

Vermillion50.6% · Median income $50,456

All 37 towns

Bachelor's or higher, highest first.

#TownBachelor's or higherMedian incomeMedian age

1 Dakota Dunes3,936 people 59.8% $136,12542.6

2 Big SiouxUnion County · 4,917 people 56.3% $128,00541.7

3 Vermillion11,878 people 50.6% $50,45623.1

4 Split RockMinnehaha County · 3,143 people 49.8% $147,71749.3

5 Brookings23,948 people 47.5% $63,49324.7

6 Tea6,786 people 47.1% $120,13930.6

7 Harrisburg8,519 people 43.8% $108,72431.1

8 Brandon10,996 people 41.9% $110,80636.7

9 Spearfish12,930 people 41.8% $65,68840.0

10 Pierre13,948 people 39% $77,67239.4

11 Dell Rapids3,905 people 38.9% $100,17039.3

12 Summerset3,022 people 38.4% $119,27135.1

13 Sioux Falls201,469 people 38.1% $75,97035.5

14 Rapid City77,946 people 37% $70,87039.1

15 Aberdeen28,189 people 35% $64,40536.4

16 Madison6,094 people 34.3% $65,59340.1

17 Hartford3,478 people 34.3% $99,89339.5

18 Chamberlain2,588 people 33.3% $76,76143.0

19 Yankton15,540 people 33.2% $67,80441.4

20 Milbank3,525 people 31.2% $56,01150.0

21 Colonial Pine Hills2,609 people 30.4% $98,69659.5

22 Mobridge2,932 people 29.4% $65,35741.7

23 Elk Point2,537 people 29.4% $90,47335.5

24 Hot Springs3,548 people 28.9% $66,33859.4

25 Box Elder12,902 people 28% $73,00828.8

26 Huron14,385 people 27% $61,45236.1

27 North Sioux City3,045 people 25.8% $71,90836.6

28 Sturgis7,086 people 24.4% $54,40440.3

29 Mitchell15,649 people 23.6% $58,62039.6

30 Sisseton2,670 people 21.8% $48,87534.2

31 Watertown23,044 people 21.6% $69,60039.5

32 Lead3,006 people 20.5% $73,04746.5

33 Rapid Valley6,975 people 19.8% $83,20843.2

34 Belle Fourche5,804 people 17.1% $65,07138.3

35 Canton3,033 people 16.9% $60,85042.2

36 Blackhawk2,934 people 16.4% $71,99342.1

37 Winner2,905 people 14.4% $47,38143.6

How it works

How this ranking works

The SD list, with the map →

We rank every town by the share of adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for South Dakota as a whole is 31.9%.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

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