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.
LakeSD
A town of 851.
Population
851
−0.8% since 2010
Median home value
$350K
Census ACS
Household income
$107K
median
Median age
34.9
years
Jobs based here
104
A commuter town
Small town
851 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
WatertownFullerElmiraRauvillePelicanRichlandLake
Lake’s report card
Now in Lake
Be the first to start the conversation.
Start a conversation
Weather
Forecast →64°
Mostly Cloudy
H 0° · L 52°
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.
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Lake
Most working residents leave Lake for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Watertown (61%), Sioux Falls (9%) and Brookings (2%). Half commute less than 6 miles.
1%work in town
Where working residents work
In Lake1%
Watertown61%
Sioux Falls9%
Brookings2%
Sheridan2%
6 mi
median commute distance
104
jobs based in Lake
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Climate
Four seasons, pleasant summers
Lake has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 2°, and about 32 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
32″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter6–24°
Spring31–53°
Summer57–79°
Fall34–56°
Sep 28
typical first frost
May 7
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Health
How healthy Lake is
Lake tracks South Dakota closely on all 26 CDC measures.
26 measures vs. South Dakota
0 better26 too close to call0 worse
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
3.7 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Natural hazards
Moderate risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 59% of U.S. communities.
59risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Outdoors
7.7% of Lake is conserved land
0.6 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves.
7.7%conserved
7.7%
conserved · 1,049 of 13,560 acres
0.6 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eckman GPA | — | 32 |
| 2. Forsberg Park | — | 11 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
A commuter town
99% of working residents leave Lake for work
Where Lake’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
104jobs based in Lake
1%of working residents work in town
6 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
More about Lake
Still missing for Lake:a photo of Lakeupcoming events