Skip to content

Find a town

← How Java ranks

South Dakota rankings · People

Oldest towns in South Dakota

Ranked by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. 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.

Colonial Pine Hills59.5 · Population 2,609

Hot Springs59.4 · Population 3,548

Milbank50.0 · Population 3,525

All 37 towns

Median age, highest first.

#TownMedian agePopulationHome value

1 Colonial Pine Hills2,609 people 59.5 2,609$406,500

2 Hot Springs3,548 people 59.4 3,548$202,600

3 Milbank3,525 people 50.0 3,525$155,000

4 Split RockMinnehaha County · 3,143 people 49.3 3,143$499,600

5 Lead3,006 people 46.5 3,006$189,400

6 Winner2,905 people 43.6 2,905$106,100

7 Rapid Valley6,975 people 43.2 6,975$255,500

8 Chamberlain2,588 people 43.0 2,588$224,300

9 Dakota Dunes3,936 people 42.6 3,936$565,600

10 Canton3,033 people 42.2 3,033$191,400

11 Blackhawk2,934 people 42.1 2,934$273,300

12 Big SiouxUnion County · 4,917 people 41.7 4,917$502,200

13 Mobridge2,932 people 41.7 2,932$136,800

14 Yankton15,540 people 41.4 15,540$222,700

15 Sturgis7,086 people 40.3 7,086$271,200

16 Madison6,094 people 40.1 6,094$193,100

17 Spearfish12,930 people 40.0 12,930$346,200

18 Mitchell15,649 people 39.6 15,649$192,200

19 Watertown23,044 people 39.5 23,044$229,400

20 Hartford3,478 people 39.5 3,478$257,700

21 Pierre13,948 people 39.4 13,948$230,700

22 Dell Rapids3,905 people 39.3 3,905$301,700

23 Rapid City77,946 people 39.1 77,946$299,400

24 Belle Fourche5,804 people 38.3 5,804$222,500

25 Brandon10,996 people 36.7 10,996$336,600

26 North Sioux City3,045 people 36.6 3,045$269,800

27 Aberdeen28,189 people 36.4 28,189$217,300

28 Huron14,385 people 36.1 14,385$159,000

29 Sioux Falls201,469 people 35.5 201,469$292,400

30 Elk Point2,537 people 35.5 2,537$248,500

31 Summerset3,022 people 35.1 3,022$368,300

32 Sisseton2,670 people 34.2 2,670$109,200

33 Harrisburg8,519 people 31.1 8,519$312,200

34 Tea6,786 people 30.6 6,786$351,100

35 Box Elder12,902 people 28.8 12,902$302,100

36 Brookings23,948 people 24.7 23,948$265,500

37 Vermillion11,878 people 23.1 11,878$219,000

How it works

How this ranking works

The SD list, with the map →

We rank every town by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for South Dakota as a whole is 38.0.

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.

Tell Java what the numbers miss

Your answer becomes a post in Java’s Town Square.

Weigh in

Should Java be on this list?

Ask neighbors