1908 · Fountain Artesian Well, at Lake Andes, S. Dak · Library of Congress
Lake’s story
Lake in pictures
3 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives, and 3 places on the National Register.
LakeSD
A town of 51. Nearly 28.5% of it is conserved land.
Population
51
residents
Median home value
$329K
Census ACS
Household income
$129K
median
Median age
62.8
years
Jobs based here
32
A commuter town
What makes Lake stand out
The thing Lake does most differently from other towns.
Small town
51 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
PleasantWillow LakeCollinsHagueMertonLake
Lake’s report card
Now in Lake
Be the first to start the conversation.
Start a conversation
Weather
Forecast →59°
Clear
Tonight L 57°
Local news
All →- Timber Lake vs McIntosh - Girls Middle School Basketball 09/28/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 19
- Timber Lake vs Tiospaye Topa - Girls Varsity Volleyball 10/13/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 17
- Middle School Girls Volleyball Mobridge Middle School vs. Timber Lake High School - 09/15/2026 | Live & On DemandNFHS Network · Sep 15
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Lake. Another town gets a different order.
Outdoors
Nearly a quarter of Lake is conserved land
5.4 miles of trails across 0 parks and preserves.
28.5%conserved
28.5%
conserved · 6,459 of 22,701 acres
5.4 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Lake
Most working residents leave Lake for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Clark (18%), Watertown (16%) and Willow Lake (9%). Half commute less than 29 miles.
0%work in town
Where working residents work
In Lake0%
Clark18%
Watertown16%
Willow Lake9%
Day7%
29 mi
median commute distance
32
jobs based in Lake
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Lake has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 4°, and about 41 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
41″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter8–26°
Spring33–54°
Summer58–80°
Fall35–57°
Oct 5
typical first frost
May 5
typical last frost
+1.3°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Natural hazards
Low risk, with cold waves at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 39% of U.S. communities.
39risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Cold wavesInland floodingHail
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Health
How healthy Lake is
Lake beats the South Dakota average on 0 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 1.
26 measures vs. South Dakota
0 better25 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Lake | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults seeing a dentist | 65.5% | 69.2% |
Avera De Smet Memorial Hospital - Cah
21.8 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
A commuter town
100% of working residents leave Lake for work
Where Lake’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
32jobs based in Lake
0%of working residents work in town
29 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Landmarks
3 places in Lake on the National Register of Historic Places.
More about Lake
Still missing for Lake:a photo of Lakeupcoming events